Home should not be a dangerous place to be. Yet home injuries cause 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year, according to the Home Safety Council. Families can take steps to prevent the leading causes of accidental home injury, including falls, poisoning, fires/burns, and choking/suffocation. Here are some simple and easy tips to follow:
Prevent Falls
Falls are the leading cause of home injury. To prevent them:
· Have grab bars in the tub and shower.
· Have bright lights over stairs and steps and on landings.
· Have handrails on both sides of the stairs and steps.
· Use a ladder for climbing instead of a stool or furniture.
· If babies or toddlers live in or visit your home, use baby gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.
Prevent Choking and Suffocation
Choking/suffocation is the leading cause of home injury death for children under age one and the fourth leading cause overall. Parents need to take the following steps to protect their little ones from dangers:
· Keep common choking dangers such as coins, hard round foods, and latex balloons out of children’s reach.
· Clip the loops in window cords and place them up high where children can’t get them.
· Don’t place pillows, comforters and toys inside or on the crib.
· Read the labels on toys. Be sure your child is old enough to play with them.
· Tell children to sit down while they eat and to take small bites.
Prevent Poisoning
Poisoning is the second leading cause of home injury. Take the following steps to protect against poisonings:
· Read the warning label before using potentially poisonous products.
· If you see the words “Caution,” “Warning,” Danger,” “Poison,” or “Keep Out of Reach of Children,” lock these items in a place where children can’t reach them.
· Use medications carefully. Follow the directions.
· Install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas.
· Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 if you need help or want information about poisons.
· Call 911 if someone needs to go to the hospital right away.
Prevent Fire and Burn Injuries
In a fire, families have as little as three minutes to escape the home safely. To protect against fires and burns:
· Install working smoke alarms on each level and hold fire drills.
· If you build a new home, have fire sprinklers installed if at all possible.
· Stay by the stove when cooking; or turn it off if you walk away.
· Lock matches and lighters up high, where children can’t reach them. Store them in a cabinet that is not directly over the stove or other heat source.
· Keep your hot water at 120 º F or set the water heater just below the medium setting to prevent scald burns.
For more information on how to keep your family safe in and around your home, go to www.homesafetycouncil.org.