The last week of August is National Safe at Home Week. According to the Home Safety Council, around 21 million people are treated every year for home accidents – and most are preventable. Here’s How to Get Ready For National Safe at Home Week.
Kitchen.
- When cooking, do not leave children unattended in the kitchen, even for a few moments.
- Properly store harmful cleaners away from children and pets.
- Keep flammable objects, like kitchen towels, away from open flame appliances and other heat sources like the toaster and portable heaters.
- Put away the kitchen knives and scissors when not in use.
Bathroom.
- Falls are the leading cause of injuries in the home, especially for young children and adults over 65. Keep your family sure-footed on the slick bathroom floor with non-slip rugs and mats.
- Keep electric razors, curling irons, blow dryers, etc., away from the water.
- Shampoos, cleaning solutions, lotions, etc., should be kept out of the reach of young children.
Common Areas
- Make sure your stair railings are stable. Staircase spindles should be about 4 inches or less between spindles to prevent children and pets from falling through.
- Keep common area floors and stairs clean, clear, and free of obstacles.
- Common areas should be well-lit to ensure visibility when entering.
- Make sure your alarms (smoke, carbon monoxide detectors) are in working order.
- Never overload electrical circuits.
- Keep unused electrical outlets covered.
- If you have hardwood floors, don’t use small carpets unless they have slip-proof backing.
Outdoors
- Pools should be fenced and locked to keep unsupervised children out.
- Keep gardening tools out of the reach of young children.
- Gasoline, paint thinners, insecticides, fertilizer, weed killers, etc., should be kept out of the reach of pets and children.
- Make sure your garage is properly ventilated to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
For more information about National Safe at Home Week, visit the National Safety Council (NSF) at nsc.org.