Build Safety Into Your Home

 To avoid accidents in the home, consider these simply safety features.

• Scalding from hot water can be severe.  Set your hot water heater to a temperature of 110 to 120 degrees. 

• Store your liquor, chemicals, cleaners, and medicines in cabinets (out of the sight of children) and put locks on the doors. 

• Also put locks on cabinets where you store plastic garbage bags.

• Eliminate (or cover) sharp corners on countertops, tables, and hearths.

• Put safety stops on your drawers.

• All outlets within 6 feet of a sink should be a GFI (ground fault interrupted) outlet.

• Put outlet covers in other outlets that small children can reach.

• Have fire extinguishers fully charged and handy (especially near the kitchen).

• Have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors installed.

• Use night lights.

• The range in the kitchen should have controls on top – not on the front.

• Make sure the flooring near tubs, shower, and sinks is slip-resistant.

• Select hardware for bathroom doors that can be opened from both sides.  This applies to children’s bedrooms as well.

• Any glass at shower or tub enclosures should be safety glass, or acrylic.

• Have grab bars in the tub and shower.

• Soap dishes should be recessed so elbows or heads don’t bump into them.

• Post emergency numbers, including the National Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) by each phone.

• Keep a stocked first aid kit near the kitchen and workbench areas.

• When working outdoors, use the heavy duty, UL rated extension cords; make sure your ladder is stable before using it; and wear safety glasses when using weed- whackers, hedge clippers, or other tools which will throw debris in all directions.

There’s a report that is issued every year called the State of Home Safety in America report.  It stipulates that more than 300,000 emergency room admissions each year are the result of injuries at home.  Be diligent about home safety, and protect your loved ones from serious injuries.