Home Safety Tips
Contents Basements - Bathroom - Bedroom - Garage - General Kitchen - Yard
Most accidents occur at home and many of them are preventable, so it is important that your home is as safe as possible. Here are some helpful tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on making your home a safer place for everyone. Click on the area of the house you are interested in to go immediately to the corresponding tips. Other information about Radon and indoor air quality check out the EPA's web site.
Basement
When using power tools, good lighting can reduce the chance that you will accidentally cut your finger. Either install additional light, or avoid working with power tools in the area.
Basement, garages, and storage areas can contain many tripping
hazards and sharp or pointed tools that can make a fall even
more hazardous. Keep an operating flashlight handy. Have an
electrician install switches at each entrance to a dark area.
Replacing a correct size fuse with a larger size fuse can
present a serious fire hazard. If the fuse in the box is rated
higher than that intended for the circuit, excessive current
will be allowed to flow and possibly overload the outlet and
house wiring to the point that a fire can begin. Be certain
that correct-size fuses are used. (If you do not know the
correct sizes, consider having an electrician identify and
label the sizes to be used.)
Use a properly connected 3-prong adapter for connecting a
3-prong plug to a 2-hole receptacle. Consider replacing old
tools that have neither a 3-prong plug nor are double
insulated.
Power tools used with guards removed pose a serious risk of
injury from sharp edges or moving parts. Replace guards that
have been removed from power tools.
Improperly grounded appliances can lead to electric shock.
Check with your service person or an electrician if you are in
doubt.
If containers of flammable and volatile liquids are not
tightly closed, vapors may escape that may be toxic when
inhaled. Check containers periodically to make sure they are
tightly closed. Gasoline, kerosene, and other flammable
liquids should be stored out of living areas in properly
labeled, non-glass safety containers. Remove these products
from the areas near heat or flame such as heaters, furnaces,
water heaters, ranges, and other gas appliances.
Death may occur when people swallow such everyday substances
as charcoal lighter, paint thinner and remover, antifreeze and
turpentine. These poisons should have child-resistant caps, be
stored in the original containers with the original labels,
and be kept locked up out of sight and reach of children.
Bathroom
A light switch near the bathroom door will prevent you
from walking through a dark area. Install a night light.
Inexpensive lights that plug into outlets are available.
Consider replacing the existing switch with a "glow
switch" that can be seen in the dark.
Electrical appliances and power cords can cause shock or
electrocution if they come in contact with water. Consider
adding new outlets for convenience and safety; ask your
electrician to install outlets equipped with ground fault
circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to protect against electric
shock. A GFCI is a shock-protection device that will detect
electrical fault and shut off electricity before serious
injury or death occurs.
Wet soapy tile or porcelain surfaces are especially slippery
and may contribute to falls. Apply textured strips or appliqués
on the floors of tubs and showers. Use non-skid mats in the
tub and shower, and on the bathroom floor.
Grab bars can help you get into and out of your tub or shower,
and can help prevent falls. Check existing bars for strength
and stability, and repair if necessary. Attach grab bars
through the tile to structural supports in the wall, or
install bars specifically designed to attach to the sides of
the bathtub.
Water temperature above 120 degrees can cause tap water
scalds. Lower the setting on your hot water heater to "Low" or
120 degrees. If you are unfamiliar with the controls of your
water heater, ask a qualified person to adjust it for you.
If your hot water system is controlled by the landlord, ask
the landlord to consider lowering the setting. If the water
heater does not have a temperature setting, you can use a
thermometer to check the
temperature of the water at the tap. Always check water
temperature by hand before entering bath or shower. Taking
baths, rather than showers, reduces the risk of a scald from
suddenly changing water temperatures.
Grandparents should use child-resistant vials if they are able
to. Although grandparents may get traditional easy-to-open
closures by asking their pharmacist for them, the
child-resistant vials should be used whenever children are
around.
Store all medicines separately from household products, and
store all household chemical products away from food. Keep
items in their original containers. Leave the original labels
on all products, and read the label before using. Always leave
the light on when giving or taking medicines. Clean out the
medicine cabinet periodically, and safely dispose of
unneeded medicines when the illness for which they were
prescribed is over. Pour contents down drain or toilet, and
rinse container before discarding. Turn on a light at night
and put on your glasses to read the label when you need to
take a medicine. If any questions arise, consult your
physician. Never mix medicines and alcohol, and never take
more than the prescribed amount of medicine. Never "borrow" a
friend's medicine or
take old medicines. Tell your doctor what other medicines you
are taking so you can avoid adverse drug interactions.
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Bedroom
Lamps or switches located close to each bed will enable people
getting up at night to see where they are going. Rearrange
furniture closer to switches or move lamps closer to beds.
Install night lights.
Use electric blankets according to the manufacturer's
instructions. Don't allow anything on top of the blanket while
it is in use. (This includes other blankets or comforters,
even pets sleeping on top of the blanket.) Don't set electric
blankets so high that they could burn someone who falls asleep
while they are on. Never go to sleep with a heating pad if it
is turned on because it can cause serious burns even at
relatively low settings.
In case of an emergency, it is important to be able to reach
the telephone without getting out of bed.
Do not smoke in bed. Smoking in bed is a major cause of
accidental fire deaths in homes.
Locate heaters or other fire sources three feet from the bed
to prevent the bed from catching on fire.
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Garage
Take extra precautions in storing and using flammable liquids,
such as gasoline, paint thinners, etc. They produce invisible
explosive vapors that can ignite by a small spark at
considerable distances from the flammable substance. Store
outside the house.
Basement, garages, and storage areas can contain many tripping
hazards and sharp or pointed tools that can make a fall even
more hazardous. Keep an operating flashlight handy. Have an
electrician install switches at each entrance to a dark area.
Death may occur when people swallow such everyday substances
as charcoal lighter, paint thinner and remover, antifreeze and
turpentine. These poisons should have child-resistant caps, be
stored in the original containers with the original labels,
and be kept locked up out of sight and reach of children.
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General
Purchase a smoke detector if you do not have one. Smoke
detectors are inexpensive and are required by law in many
localities. Check local codes and regulations before you buy
your smoke detector because some codes require specific types
of detectors. They provide an early warning which is critical
because the longer the delay, the deadlier the consequences.
Read the instructions that come with the detector for advice
on the best place to install it. At a minimum, detectors
should be located near bedrooms and
one on every floor. Follow the manufacturer's instructions
for proper maintenance. Never disconnect a detector. Consider
relocating the detector rather than disconnecting it if it
is subject to nuisance alarms, e.g. from cooking. Replace
the battery annually, or when a "chirping" sound
is heard.
Be sure that the chimney and stovepipe were installed
correctly in accordance with the manufacturer's
recommendations and local codes. If there is any doubt, a
building inspector or fire official can determine whether the
system is properly installed. Minimize creosote formation by
using proper stove size and avoiding use of low damper
settings for extended periods of time. Have the chimney checked and cleaned
routinely by a chimney "sweep" at least once a
year. Inspect it frequently, as often as twice a month if
necessary, and clean when a creosote buildup is noted.
Never use charcoal to cook or provide heat inside enclosed
areas such as tents, campers, vans, cars, trucks, homes,
garages, or mobile homes because the carbon monoxide can kill
you.
Establish advanced family planning for escape. It is an
important partner with smoke detectors and it will prepare you
for a fire emergency.
Arrange furniture so that outlets are available for lamps and
appliances without the use of extension cords. If you must use
an extension cord, place it on the floor against a wall where
people cannot trip over it. Remove cords from under furniture
or carpeting. Replace damaged or frayed cords. If the rating
on the cord is exceeded because of the power requirements of
one or more appliances being used on the cord, change the cord
to a higher rated one or unplug some appliances.
Remove rugs and runners that tend to slide. Apply double-faced
adhesive carpet tape or rubber matting to the backs of rugs
and runners. Purchase rugs with slip-resistant backing. Over
time, adhesive on tape can wear away. Rugs with slip-resistant
backing also become less effective as they are washed.
Telephone numbers for the Police, Fire Department, and local
Poison Control Center, along with a neighbor's number, should
be readily available. Write the numbers in large print and
tape them to the phone, or place them near the phone where
they can be seen easily.
Have at least one telephone located where it would be
accessible in the event of an accident which leaves you unable
to stand.
Unusually warm or hot outlets or switches may indicate that
an unsafe wiring condition exists. Unplug cords from outlets
and do not use the switches. Have an electrician check the
wiring as soon as possible.
Unvented heaters should be used with room doors open or window
slightly open to provide ventilation. The correct fuel, as
recommended by the manufacturer, should always be used. Vented
heaters should have proper venting, and the venting system
should be checked frequently. Improper venting is the most
frequent cause of carbon monoxide poisoning, and older
consumers are at special risk.
If you don't have a step stool, consider buying one. Choose
one with a handrail that you can hold onto while standing on
the top step. Before climbing on any step stool, make sure it
is fully opened and stable. Tighten screws and braces on the
step stool. Discard step stools with broken parts.
For all stairways, check lighting, handrails, and the
condition of the steps and coverings. Stairs should be lighted
so that each step, particularly the step edges, can be clearly
seen while going up and down stairs. Consider refinishing or
replacing worn treads, or replacing worn carpeting. Worn or
torn coverings or nails sticking out from coverings could snag
your foot or cause you to trip. The lighting should not
produce glare or shadows along the stairway. You should be
able to turn on the lights before you use the stairway from either end. If no other light is available, keep
an operating flashlight in a convenient location at the top
and bottom of the stairs.
People can trip over objects left on stairs, particularly in
the event of an emergency or fire. Remove all objects from the
stairway.
Lead-based paint is a major source of lead poisoning for
children and can also affect adults. In children, lead
poisoning can cause irreversible brain damage and can impair
mental functioning. In adults, it can cause irritability, poor
muscle coordination, and nerve damage to the sense organs and
nerves controlling the body. If you have lead-based paint, you
should take steps to reduce your exposure to lead. Avoid
activities that will disturb or damage lead-based paint and create dust. Contact
your state and local health departments' lead poisoning
prevention programs and housing authorities for information
about testing labs and contractors who can safely remove
lead-based paint.
Your home might have plumbing with lead or lead solder. Call
your local health department or water supplier to find out
about testing your water. You cannot see, smell, or taste
lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you
think your plumbing might have lead in it, use only cold water
for drinking and cooking. Run water for 15 to 30 seconds
before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water
for a few hours.
Regularly have a professional check your spa or hot tub and
make sure it is in good, safe working condition, and that
drain covers are in place and not cracked or missing. Check
the drain covers yourself throughout the year. Know where the
cut-off switch for your pump is so you can turn it off in an
emergency. Be aware that consuming alcohol while using a spa
could lead to drowning. Keep the temperature of the water in
the spa at 104 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
If possible, change the water in your room humidifier daily.
Empty the tank before you fill it. Clean your room humidifier
well and often during the heating season. Be sure to unplug
the humidifier before cleaning. Follow the manufacturer's
suggested cleaning methods. If chlorine bleach or other
cleaning product or disinfectant is used, make sure to rinse
the tank well to avoid breathing harmful chemicals. Operate portable electric heaters away from combustible
materials. Do not place heaters where towels or the like could
fall on the appliance and trigger a fire. Avoid using
extension cords unless absolutely necessary. If you must use
an extension cord with your electric heater, make sure it is
marked with a power rating at least as high as that of the
heater itself. Keep the cord stretched out. Do not permit the
cord to become buried under carpeting or rugs. Do not place
anything on top of the cord. Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture or the like. Never use
heaters to dry wearing apparel or shoes.
Always check to see that cigarettes are extinguished before
emptying ashtrays. Stubs that are still burning can ignite
trash.
Look for furniture designed to reduce the likelihood of
furniture fire from cigarettes. Much of the furniture
manufactured today has significantly greater resistance to
ignition by cigarettes than upholstered furniture manufactured
10 to 15 years ago. This is particularly true of furniture
manufactured to comply with the requirements of the
Upholstered Furniture Action Council's (UFAC) Voluntary Action Program.
Such upholstered furniture may be identified by the gold
colored tag on the furniture item.
The legend on the front of the tag in red letters states
-- "Important Consumer Safety Information from UFAC."
Always check the furniture where smokers have been sitting for
improperly discarded smoking materials. Ashes and lighted
cigarettes can fall unnoticed behind or between cushions or
under furniture.
Do not place or leave ashtrays on the arms of chairs where
they can be knocked off.
Consider fabrics such as 100 percent polyester, nylon, wool
and silk that are difficult to ignite and tend to self
extinguish. Consider purchasing garments that can be removed
without having to pull them over the head. Clothes that are
easily removed can help prevent serious burns. If a garment
can be quickly stripped off when it catches fire, injury will
be far less severe or avoided altogether.
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Kitchen
Never place or store pot holders, plastic utensils, towels and
other non-cooking equipment on or near the range because these
items can be ignited.
Roll up or fasten long loose sleeves with pins or elastic
bands while cooking. Do not reach across a range while
cooking. Long loose sleeves are more likely to catch on fire
than are short sleeves. Long loose sleeves are also more apt
to catch on pot handles, overturning pots and pans and cause
scalds.
Keep constant vigilance on any cooking that is required above
the "keep warm" setting.
Know where the "danger" items are -- medicines,
toxic bleaches, oven and drain cleaners, paint solvents,
polishes, and waxes. Look for items packaged in
child-resistant containers. Don't leave them under a sink
or in plain view in a garage -- lock them away in a secure
place, out of a child's sight and reach.
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Yard
A swimming pool should have a fence or barrier surrounding all
four sides with self-closing and self-latching gates. If the
house is part of the barrier, all doors leading from the house
to the pool should be protected with an alarm. Position
latches out of reach of young children. Keep all doors and
windows leading to the pool area secure to prevent small
children from getting to the pool.
Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool. During social
gatherings at or near a pool, appoint a "designated
watcher" to protect young children from pool accidents.
Adults may take turns being the "watcher." When
adults become preoccupied, children are at risk. If a child
is missing, check the pool first. Seconds count in preventing
death or disability. Go to the edge of the pool and scan
the entire pool, bottom and surface, as well as the pool
area.
Place tables and chairs well away from the pool fence to
prevent children from climbing into the pool area.
Have a telephone at poolside to avoid having to leave children
unattended in or near the pool to answer a telephone
elsewhere. Keep emergency numbers at the poolside telephone.
Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Keep rescue
equipment by the pool.
Divers should observe the following precautions. Never dive
into above-ground pools. They are too shallow. Don't dive from
the side of an in-ground pool. Enter the water feet first.
Dive only from the end of the diving board and not from the
sides. Dive with your hands in front of you and always steer
up immediately upon entering the water to avoid hitting the
bottom or sides of the pool. Don't dive if you have been using
alcohol
or drugs because your reaction time may be too slow. Improper
use of pool slides presents the same danger as improper diving
techniques. Never slide down head first; slide down feet first
only.
Always store pesticides away from children's reach, in a
locked cabinet or garden shed. Read the label first and follow
the directions to the letter, including all precautions and
restrictions. Before applying pesticides (indoors and
outdoors), remove children and their toys from the area and
keep them away until it is dry or as recommended by the label.
Never leave pesticides unattended when you are using them --
not even for a few
minutes. Never transfer pesticides to other containers --
children may associate certain containers with food or drink.
Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the
container tightly after use. Alert others to the potential
hazard, especially grandparents and caregivers.
Use paint strippers outdoors if possible. If you must use them
indoors, cross-ventilate by opening all doors and windows.
Make sure there is fresh air movement throughout the room.
Ventilate the area before, during, and after applying and
stripping. Never use any paint stripper in a poorly ventilated
area. If work must be done indoors under low ventilation
conditions, consider having the work done professionally
instead of
attempting it yourself. Do not use flammable paint strippers
near any source of sparks, flame, or high heat. Do not work
near gas stoves, kerosene heaters, gas or electric water
heaters, gas or electric clothes dryers, gas or electric
furnaces, gas or electric space heaters, sanders, buffers, or
other electric hand tools. Open flames, cigarettes, matches,
lighters, pilot light, or electric sparks can cause the
chemicals in the paint strippers to suddenly catch fire.
(NOTE: All information comes courtesy of the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207)
