DON'T LEAVE SAFETY TO CHANCE
Poison Prevention Week kicks off Sunday, but home safety is something to consider year-round.
Your call to action ranges from checking smoke alarms and storage of cleaning products to planning a fire escape procedure and guarding against intruders.
Here are 13 tips from First Alert, the National Fire Protection Association and CDC.gov:
Carbon monoxide: The top cause of accidental poisoning in the U.S. is carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) urges installing a CO alarm on each level of your home.
Radon: This poisonous gas is ranked as the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, says the National Radon Defense. Most radon comes from the soil, making it easy to seep through cracks or openings in your home’s foundation. Test kits can help you find out if our home is safe, or making you sick.
Cleaning products: Simple household items such as laundry detergent, bleach and furniture polish all contain toxic chemicals. If swallowed, they can irritate the lungs or cause vomiting and severe respiratory distress. Keep them in locked cabinets or out of the reach of children and pets. If these products are ingested, immediately call Poison Control at 800-2222-1222.
Fire safety: First, remember that 85 percent of fire deaths occur in homes. Install smoke alarms and test them weekly, replacing the battery annually and the device itself every 10 years. Make sure your family has an emergency escape plan that has been practiced. Also keep a fire extinguisher on hand and know how to use it.
Kitchen: Keep flammable objects and fire sources apart. Use cleaning products with caution and keep them out of reach of children and pets. Make sure appliances have proper ventilation.
Bathroom: Keep electrical appliances away from water and use non-slip strips or floor mats. Avoid falls by keeping the room as clean and dry as possible.
Bedroom: Never smoke in bed and opt for flame-resistant mattresses. Even while you sleep, keep a phone and light source within reach.
Garage: This certainly is a danger zone because it’s likely where you keep all kinds of flammable or hazardous products such as gasoline, paint thinner, antifreeze or even rat poison. Keep all of these locked away and out of reach of children and pets. Keep sharp or dangerous tools organized and out of the way.
Yard: Fencing in your property keeps children and pets safe. When you’re not using your pool, lock it down or fence it in.
Calling for help: Make a list of emergency phone numbers — the police, fire department, poison control, trusted family, friends and neighbors — and keep it handy. Make sure your home address is clearly marked, so emergency personnel can find your home quickly.
Doors: Make sure locks function correctly and check through a window before opening the door for strangers. If someone claims to be a government official or police officer, ask for ID. Keep doors closed, maybe even locked, when you’re home.
Children: Never leave children alone near water or fire. Keep firearms unloaded and locked away.
Elderly: Homes with elderly residents should have hand rails along any staircase and in the bathroom. Replace any slippery rugs and runners and make sure the floor is clean, clear and dry.