According to an article in the Spring 2002 Family Safety & Health magazine by the National Safety Council, there are 22 safety items no home should be without.
According to the National Safety Council, fire kills more than 2,900 people and injures 16,000 others each year. Most fires that claim lives occur at night. Install smoke detectors in your home.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas that killed 300 people in 2000 and sent thousands to the hospital. Place CO detectors outside your bedrooms.
The Environmental Protection Association says radon might be responsible for up to 30,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Hardware stores carry do-it-yourself radon-detector kits.
Night lights can prevent night- time falls.
Outdoor motion-sensor lights can help you see your way at night and scare off intruders.
A stool should be used for objects out of reach.
A nonskid rug in the bathroom can prevent a slip and fall injury.
Wall grab bars in the bath will assist you when entering and leaving a tub.
Stairs and steps account for nearly half of all fatal falls in the home. Every set of stairs should be equipped with handrails.
To decrease the likelihood of a home break in, install dead bolt locks on every entrance to your home.
GFCIs stop the "juice" before electricity can leak out and hurt you.
Experts recommend that a "BC" or "ABC" be installed in your home.
Keep your first-aid kit stocked and monitor expiration dates of items in it.
Test flashlights on a regular basis and keep a supply of extra batteries.
Falls from windows cause death and serious injury to children each year. Safety glazing prevents windows from shattering into shards of glass.
Preparation and practice for all emergencies is vital for all families.
Contents of a disaster kit should include nonperishable food, water, cash, flashlights, tools, weather radio and first-aid kit.
This radio will help you in a weather emergency, such as a tornado, hurricane, earthquake or other emergency.
Post local police, fire departments and physician telephone numbers.
Appliances using gas or electricity should bear the certification mark from a qualified testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories, the Canadian Standards Association or the American Gas Association.
Safety goggles, work gloves, facemasks and hard hats should be available.
Know how to shut off valves for gas, oil, water and your home’s main electrical supply. Tag each valve so you can easily identify the switch in an emergency.
