Home Safety

Home Safety 

1. Don't Fall for It. 
2. Falls are the second leading cause of preventable accidental death in the United States. And the older you get, the more likely a fall will be fatal. Roughly 5,000 people over age 75 die every year as a result of falls, mostly in their homes. When older people fall, they are more likely to sustain the kind of injury—such as a broken hip—that can lead to a major health problem. In fact, for those Americans who have the brittle bone disease osteoporosis, complications from fractures lead to approximately 40,000 deaths annually. Here are some suggestions to reduce your chances of taking that first fatal misstep. 
3. Make sure hallways and stairs are well lit. 
4. Keep night-lights burning in hallways and bathrooms. 
5. Make sure stairway railings and the steps themselves are secure. 
6. Keep stairs and walkways clear. 
7. Use contrasting colors or plant arrangements to draw attention to short flights of stairs. 
8. Don't run electrical cords through traffic areas. 
9. Secure area or throw rugs to the floor with double-sided adhesive tape. Replace worn runners on stairs and use only bath mats with nonslip bottoms. 
10. Put nonslip appliqués in your bathtub. And install a grab bar in the bathtub or shower. 
11. When purchasing new carpet, choose a shorter pile such as Berber. You're less likely to catch a heel in the fibers of shorter piles. 
12. Take Precautions to Avoid Fires. 
13. Every year, fires in the home kill about 4,000 Americans. Most people don't die of burns, but of the smoke and toxic gases they inhale when  a fire consumes everything in its path. You can protect yourself and your family from fires, however, if you take these precautions.
14. Install smoke detectors
15. Make sure your smoke detectors work
16. Keep fire extinguishers handy
17. Make a plan. Develop a home evacuation plan and practice it with your family. Identify two exits and make sure everyone knows where they are. 
18. Make a plan. Develop a home evacuation plan and practice it with your family. Identify two exits and make sure everyone knows where they are. 
19. Here are several helpful tips to reduce the likelihood of a fire in your home. 
20. Don't use space heaters, which, despite new safety measures, still may overheat. 
21. Don't store propane gas tanks in garages
22. Don't run electrical cords under rugs, where they may overheat
23. Don't Be Shocked—Protect Yourself from Electricity. 
24. Here are more ways to make your home less shocking.
25. Replace appliance electrical cords that are darkened or frayed. 
26. Don't overload sockets or outlets with extension cords. 
27. Never use electrical appliances near bathtubs, sinks, and pools. 
28. Don't use electrical tools outside when there is early morning dew or if it is raining. And make sure any extension cords you use outside are for outdoor use. 
29. Don't Give Carbon Monoxide Emissions Permission. 
30. Install a carbon monoxide detector outside your bedroom area
31. Have your fuel-burning appliances checked for leaks
32. Don't let a car idle with the garage doors shut. Always drive into the garage front first to allow the gas to dissipate through the garage door opening. 
33. During winter, watch for CO accumulations inside the car
34. In summer, make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors on your boat
35. When using gasoline-powered tools in buildings or semi-enclosed spaces, make sure the area is well ventilated
36. Reduce Your Risk of Radon Exposure. 
37. Contact your local health department
38. Get an EPA-approved test kit.
39. Don't Breathe in Secondhand Smoke. 
40. Nonsmokers who live with smokers have an increased risk of dying from the secondhand smoke. To ensure that both you and your smoking cohabitant live long and prosper, encourage and help him or her stop smoking.