Home and recreation injuries affect people of all ages. They account for about a third of all injury-related emergency department visits.
The good news is that many of these injuries can be prevented. Take the time this summer to make your home a safe and healthy place to live and play.
Start Small: Keep the Little Ones Safe
Home safety improvements can sharply reduce the chance of injuries to young children.
- Install stair gates.
- Put childproof locks on cabinets and toilets.
- Add electrical plug covers.
Breathe Easy at Home
- To keep your air clean, have a no-smoking policy in your home.
- If your home was built before 1978, check for lead paint.
- Make sure your home has a carbon monoxide alarm if you have any appliances that can produce carbon monoxide (fireplaces, gas heaters and stoves, etc.). For the best protection, install a carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. To prevent carbon monoxide buildup, have a qualified technician check the chimney and all fuel-burning devices every year.
- Keep air conditioners, heaters, humidifiers and dehumidifiers clean and change filters regularly.
- To prevent mold growth, periodically check the roof, basement and plumbing for water leaks.
Fire Safety
- Make sure smoke detectors are working properly and change the batteries regularly.
- Replace any frayed or cracked cords.
- If any outlets or switches feel warm to the touch, unplug the cords and talk to an electrician.
- Check the wattage of bulbs in all your lights. If you don’t know the maximum recommended wattage, don’t use bulbs that exceed 60 watts.
- Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of each room. In the event of a fire, leave right away. Once you’re out of the house, stay out.
Kitchen
- Move appliances and cords away from heat sources and sink areas.
- Unplug unused appliances.
- Consider equipping outlets near sinks with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to protect against electrical shock.
- Store flammable items, including potholders and towels, away from the stove.
- Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach.
- Keep a dry chemical fire extinguisher in your kitchen and know how to use it.
Living Room
- Make sure no rugs or furniture are resting on electric wires.
- Add a rug pad under loose rugs.
- Place TVs and stereos in a dry spot, well away from water sources like plants and aquariums.
Bedrooms
- Install drawer stops on chests of drawers.
- Avoid placing items that might encourage climbing, such as toys, on top of tall furniture.
- Attach televisions and furniture to the wall with safety straps or L-brackets.
- Buy furniture with wide legs or with solid bases.
- Place heavy items on shelves near the floor.
- Beds should be located at least 3 feet away from a radiator or portable heater.
- Children should sleep in flame-resistant sleepwear.
Bathrooms
- Unplug small appliances like hair dryers, shavers and curling irons when you’re not using them.
- Install a GFCI for your bathroom outlets.
- Put all medicine and vitamins away and out of sight after every use. Consider cabinet locks.
Outside
- When you’re near overhead wires, use fiberglass or wood ladders instead of metal ones.
- Don’t stand above the highest step of a ladder that’s safe for standing. For an extension ladder, that’s the fourth step from the top. For a stepladder, it’s the second step from the top. Make sure the rungs are dry before you use any type of ladder.
- Make sure every outdoor outlet has a waterproof cover and is equipped with a GFCI.
Hallways
- Install a smoke alarm outside of the bedrooms and on each level of your house.
- Test your smoke alarm batteries every month. Replace the batteries twice a year. Doing it during the spring and fall time changes is an easy way to remember.
Basement
- Keep flammable products in tightly closed containers that are not made of glass.
- Store flammable products far away from gas appliances, including heaters, furnaces and water heaters.
- To prevent burns, set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or the manufacturer’s recommended setting.
- Have the furnace cleaned and inspected at least once a year.
- Empty the dryer vent each time you use the dryer.
