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Safety

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y

Bicycle helmet - proper usage Home safety Fire safe home

Overview

Safety

Alternative Names:

Car seats; Fire safety; Bicycle safety; Water safety

Information:

Accidents are the most common cause of death in children 14 years old and younger. In fact, accidents cause more childhood deaths than diseases, drugs, or violence. Fortunately, many accidents -- for both children and adults -- can be avoided if simple safety measures are taken.

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FIRE SAFETY

• Install smoke detectors in hallways, sleeping areas, the kitchen, and garage. Test them once a month and change the batteries regularly.
• Do not smoke in bed.
• Keep matches and other flammable materials out of reach of children.
• Never leave a burning candle or fireplace fire unattended.
• Establish fire escape routes from every room in your house and teach family members what to do in case of a fire. Have semi-annual home fire drills to practice escaping.
• Keep fire extinguishers in handy locations. Have at least one extinguisher on each level of your home.
• Know how to use a fire extinguisher. In an emergency, you must be able to act fast.
• Teach children about fires. Explain how they are accidentally started and how to prevent them.
• Make sure household wiring is up-to-date.
• Store flammable materials away from heat sources, water heaters, and open-flame space heaters.
• Supervise children when they are using fireworks. Never assume that a child will read and follow safety instructions.

• After checking into a hotel, always find the exits and fire alarm closest to your room. Point these out to the people you are staying in the room with.
• Review the hotel's safety information in your room.
• Do not smoke in bed.
• If there is a fire outside of your room, always feel the door before opening it. If it is hot, do not open it -- telephone for help.
• If you leave your room, take your room key with you so that you can get back into your room if the nearest exit is blocked.
• If you are forced to stay in your room, telephone for help, turn off the air-conditioning and heating systems, and open your window slightly for ventilation.
• To help keep smoke from entering into your room, soak sheets and towels and stuff them under the door.
• Stay close to the floor for the freshest air and hold a wet washcloth over your face.
• Do not attempt to run though smoke or flames.
• Do not use any elevators during a fire. They are electrical and could shut down, trapping you inside.

• Wear a bike helmet.
• Make sure bikes are the right size. A child should be able to straddle a bike with both feet on the ground.
• Young children should use bikes with coaster brakes -- the kind that brake when you pedal backwards. With hand brakes, a child's hands should be large enough and strong enough to use the levers.
• Avoid riding at night if at all possible. Make sure your bike has reflectors.
• Stop at stop signs, check for traffic before turning, and never ride out into a street without stopping first.
• Ride on the same side of the road as the cars.
• Be predictable and ride defensively. Ride where drivers of cars can see you. Bicycles are frequently hit by cars because the driver did not even know the bike was there. Many accidents have been avoided because the biker was watching out for cars.
• Wear brightly colored clothing so that motorists can easily see you.

• The space between crib bars should be no more than 2.5 inches.
• The distance from the mattress to the top of the rail should be over 2 feet.
• DO NOT put extra blankets and stuffed animals in a crib with a baby.
• DO NOT place a baby on the stomach to sleep.
• Always keep one hand on an infant who is lying on a changing table.
• Place gates at the top and bottom of each stairway.
• Cover unused electrical sockets.
• Keep cleaning fluids, bug poisons, and other chemicals well out of a child's reach. Avoid storing toxic substances in unmarked or inappropriate containers (such as food containers). If you suspect poisoning or have questions, call 1-800-222-1222.
• Buy medicines with child-resistant caps. Place all medications out of the reach of children.
• Put safety latches on cabinets that a child should not open.
• Keep knives and matches out of reach.
• Keep plastic bags away from children.
• Keep children away from hot drinks and stove tops.
• When cooking on the stove, make sure that pot and pan handles are turned to the middle of the stove. Handles that hang over the edge of the stove may be reached by a curious toddler.
• Keep toys with small parts out of the reach of infants and toddlers. This includes stuffed animals with buttons.
• Avoid putting dangerous items in a waste basket where a young child might find them.
• Keep toilet lids down.
• Never leave infants and children unattended in a bathtub.
• Check water temperature in a bath before placing a child in it.
• Set the hot water heater thermostat to no more than 130°F.
• When heating a baby bottle, always test the milk temperature to prevent burning your baby's mouth.
• Inspect playground equipment for signs of deterioration, weakness, and damage.
• Teach children what to do if strangers approach them. Teach them at an early age that no one should touch private areas of the body.
• Make sure children know their address as early as possible. Teach them to call 911 when in trouble.
• Teach children to watch for cars on streets. They must stop, look both ways and listen for approaching traffic. Children must also be very aware of cars on driveways and in parking lots. Cars backing up cannot see small children.
• Supervise young children at all times.

• Wear protective footwear and eye wear when mowing the lawn, operating power tools, working with a chisel, or hammering metal on metal.
• Keep tools away from children until they are old enough to use them properly.
• All stairways should have a sturdy hand rail.
• All entryways should have bright lighting.
• Don't leave objects on stairways. Make sure that carpet on stairways is securely fastened.
• Unplug appliances (such as heating pads and electric blankets) when they are not in use.
• In the bathroom, use non-slip floor mats. Put non-slip appliques on the bathtub.
• Don't use any electrical appliances when you are wet or in the bathtub, shower, or pool.
• Make sure that each fireplace has a fire screen.
• Keep guns locked up and unloaded. Firearms and ammunition should be stored separately.
• Make sure your house number is easily visible from the street.

• Always wear a seat belt.
• Obey traffic laws and drive defensively.
• Do not drink alcohol and drive.
• While driving, try to avoid any distractions from others in your car.
• Keep your vehicle properly serviced, especially before going on a long trip. Keep an emergency kit in your car.
• Take the weather into account before venturing out on the roads.

• Car seats are required by law for children under 40 pounds.
• The safest position for an infant car seat is rear facing in the back seat.
• In most models, the infant seat is used AT LEAST until the child reaches 20 pounds and 1 year of age. At that point, a forward-facing seat can be used. This may require a new car seat -- it depends on the model.
• Booster seats should be used for children 40 to 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring that children up to 8 years old or 80 pounds be put in booster seats.
• Read the car owner's manual to determine the safest place to fasten a car seat in YOUR car.
• Know how your car seat is designed to be used. Read the instructions carefully.
• Adapters may be needed for certain types of cars or certain seat belt types.
• For more information call your car seat manufacturer, car manufacturer, or the State Highway Safety Office.

• Wear protective eye wear if your job carries any risk of eye injury.
• If your work environment is so noisy that you have to shout to be heard, then wear earmuffs or ear plugs.
• Be cautious when handling hazardous materials (such as asbestos) and wear appropriate masks and other protection if working in an environment where dangerous chemicals are used. Avoid any exposure to hazardous chemicals if you are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant.
• Avoid any use of illegal drugs or alcohol while on the job, particularly when operating heavy machinery.
• Sleep disorders and health problems can result from frequent shift changes (like from night to day shifts) as well as from "jet lag" due to long-distance travel. Try to minimize frequent shift changes and excessive travel if possible.