HOME SAFETY TIPS

A large number of people are injured or killed in accidents in the home each year. Persons at the most risk are children and older adults. Take steps to prevent accidents in your home.

Prevent falls:

Keep the floor, walkways, and stairs clear of clutter.
Keep the floors clean to prevent slipping on grease, water or other liquids. Do not wax floors.
Use non-skid rugs or place area rugs on rubber pads to prevent slipping on floors.
Install handrails in hallways and stairways. Install grab bars near toilets and in the tub or shower.
Use bright and even lighting in living areas. Night-lights are helpful in the bathroom and hallways.
Use a rubber mat or non-slip stickers in the bathtub.
Do not leave babies or young children alone on a bed, changing table, or sofa.
If there are infants and toddlers in the home, use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
Keep young children away from open windows. A child under 10 years old can crawl out of a window that is only open 5 inches.
Use caution when climbing a stepladder or reaching high places. Make sure the stepladder is sturdy and on an even surface.

Prevent burns:

Set the hot water heater less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalds and burns.
Do not smoke in bed. Never leave a burning cigarette unattended.
Use an ashtray when smoking. Keep ashtrays away from furniture, clothing, and curtains. Never empty smoldering ashtrays or ashes into a trashcan.
Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
Never leave a burning candle or fireplace fire unattended. Keep candles away from bedding, curtains, paper, or other materials that can catch fire.
Install smoke detectors on each level of your home and replace the batteries a least once a year.
Keep a charged fire extinguisher within easy reach on each level of your home. Know how to use it.
Keep fireplaces and chimneys clean and repaired. Each fireplace should have a fire screen.
Keep clothing, towels, potholders, curtains, and other materials away from the stove.
Keep pot and pan handles turned to the middle or back of the stove. Never leave food cooking on a stove unattended.
Make sure electrical cords are not frayed. Do not overload extension cords.
Use portable heaters with caution. Keep bedding, clothing, curtains, and other materials at least 3 feet away from space heaters. Turn off the portable heater every time you leave the room or go to sleep.
Plan escape routes in case of fire or other emergency. Practice home fire drills

Prevent firearm injuries:

Do not keep guns in your home.
If you own a gun, keep it unloaded in a locked cabinet. Store ammunition in a locked container in a separate place. Always use trigger locks or other childproof locking devices. Always practice gun safety.

General safety:

Keep household cleaners and medicines stored out of the reach of children.
If children are in the home, take special precautions to prevent animal bites, burns, choking, cuts, drowning, electrical shock, falls, poisoning, strangulation and suffocation.
Be sure you and your family know what to do in case of an emergency.
Keep emergency numbers posted near the telephone and know how to dial 911 or the local emergency medical system (such as police, fire, and poison control). Include the telephone number of a neighbor or nearby family member.
Know CPR and other first aid skills.
Keep a first aid kit available. Store it in an area that is easy to get to in case of emergency, but is out of the reach of children. Check the kit regularly and replace any used items or those that are out-of-date.

For more information about prevention of accidents in the home, call the Centers for Disease Control National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at (770) 488-1506 or visit their website at www.cdc.gov/ncipc.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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