Home safety is no accident. Tragically, more than 28,000 deaths and more than 6.8 million injuries occurred from injuries in the home in 1997. Accidental injuries also are the number 1 killer of children in the United States.
How safe is your home? Most homes probably could be safer, especially if children live there. "It's important to take steps to prevent emergencies," said Dr. Elaine Josephson of the American College of Emergency Physicians. "For example, keep emergency numbers on each telephone in your home and have a first aid kit on hand stocked with appropriate items, such as syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting in case of poisoning, bandages, gauze, antiseptic ointment, ice bags, and a first aid manual."
In addition, inspect your home using the following home safety checklist:
Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor; replace batteries twice a year.
Make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street so you easily can be located in an emergency.
Have and rehearse an emergency evacuation plan in case of fire.
Keep on hand and make sure family members know how to use lifesaving equipment, such as a fire extinguisher and an escape ladder (for two-story homes).
Keep electrical cords out of children's reach.
Set your hot water thermostat to no more than 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
Put child-resistant safety latches on cabinets and drawers to prevent children from getting at harmful substances. Never store chemicals or medicines in food containers.
Keep toys with small parts and other small objects out of reach of toddlers and young children.
Don't depend on insect screens to keep small children from falling out of a window. Unguarded windows opened only five inches can pose a danger. Install window guards to keep children from falling out.
If you have firearms, make sure they are unloaded, stored, and locked properly.
"After you do all you can to prevent an emergency, the next step is to prepare for one," Dr. Josephson added. "Take a CPR class and learn first aid. Know what to do until emergency help arrives when someone, for example, gets burned, breaks a bone, stops breathing, starts choking, or has an allergic reaction."