Maintaining the Home:
Home Safety
Child-Proofing Your Home
The safety of family, home and belongings is critical to all of us. Being prepared and alert can save time, injury and possibly your life. Here are some things to do to help keep your family safe around your home:
- Store medications and small items such as jewelry and coins where toddlers can't reach them. Be alert for items that would stick in a child's throat.
- Lock unloaded guns in a secure place and store guns and bullets in separate places. Do not let children see where you hide the gun or bullets.
- Put razors, cosmetics and other health and beauty items out of reach.
- Do not leave hair dryers, curling irons or other grooming appliances out after use.
- Install child safety latches on cabinets and drawers.
- Do not store prescription drugs in the bathroom. Instead, find a cool, dry spot in the house that is out of the reach of children and check for childproof safety caps for medications.
- Set your water heater temperature at 120 degrees or lower to prevent burns and scalds.
- Turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove.
- Store cleaners and chemicals in their original containers in places where children can't get to them. Never store them under the sink, even if protected by safety latches.
- Tuck away cords of electrical appliances so that small children cannot grab them.
- Replace electrical cords that are frayed or cracked or that become hot. Do not overload outlets and extension cords. Never run electrical cords under rugs.
- Put safety caps in all unused electrical outlets.
- Place house plants out of reach of children. Some are poisonous if eaten and others could injure your child if a heavy pot fell on him/her.
- Secure bookcases to the walls to prevent toddlers from pulling the cases over.
- Keep tools and garden chemicals out of children's reach.
This material was adapted from publications produced by the National Association of Home Builders.
Next: Is Your Home Safe From Fire Hazards?
