HealthyLife Articles

Category: Home Safety

Prevent Choking & Suffocation

Home Safety

Do This, Not That

Choking and suffocation can occur at any age, but is more common in babies and toddlers. Choking is the 4th leading cause of unintentional death in children under the age of 5. At least 1 child dies from choking on food every 5 days in the U.S. Common foods and other items children choke on include:

* Bubble gum and other types of gum

* Peanuts, other nuts, and popcorn

* Peanut butter (especially from a spoon or with soft white bread)

* Whole grapes and foods with pits, such as cherries

* Hot dogs (whole or cut into round pieces)

* Hard candy and cough drops

* Balloons, button-type batteries, small toy parts, marbles, coins, and safety pins.

In adults, choking usually occurs when food is not chewed properly. The risk increases with talking or laughing while eating, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or having a condition that impairs chewing or swallowing. In young adults, choking can result from playing the “choking game.” With this, the person uses a rope or belt to cut off blood and oxygen to the brain for a brief “high.”

Learn first aid for choking for babies, children, and adults from your local Red Cross. Find a class in your area atwww.redcross.orgor call 800.733.2767 (800.RED.CROSS).

Adults

Children

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Home Security

Home Safety

Do This, Not That

According to the FBI:

* 13% of homes are burglarized a year.

* A home is invaded every 12 seconds.

* Most home burglaries occur between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

* 85% of all break-ins occur through the door.

* 67% of all burglaries involved forcible entry. Door frame failure is usually the cause.

Most home burglaries are the work of amateurs who are looking for a quick way in and out. Follow tips in this section to keep your home as secure as possible. Also, keep others from finding out when you will be on vacation. For example, do not post your whereabouts on social networks. It is best to not leave a spare key under the doormat, in a fake rock, or in a flower pot next to the door. Instead, give a spare key to a trusted neighbor or nearby friend.

General Guidelines

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Prevent Drowning

Home Safety

Do This, Not That

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

* Drowning ranks 5th among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States.

* About 10 people die from unintentional drowning every day. Of these, 2 are children aged 14 or younger.

* An additional 347 people die each year from drowning in boating-related incidents.

* Drownings are the leading cause of death for young children ages 1 to 4. Most of these drownings occur in home swimming pools.

* Among adolescents and adults, alcohol use is involved in up to 70% of deaths associated with water recreation, almost a quarter of Emergency Department visits for drowning, and about 1 in 5 reported boating deaths. Alcohol influences balance, coordination, and judgment. Its effects are heightened by sun exposure and heat.

General Guidelines

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Earth-Friendly Ways For Holiday Fun & Safety

Home Safety

* Save gas by doing close-to-home outdoor recreation activities, such as skating and making snowmen with your children.

* Choose non-toxic toys for children, such as ones made from solid and recycled wood (not pressed wood) and non-toxic paints and finishes. Avoid toys made of PVC plastic; xylene, toluene, or dibutyl phthalate.

* Get the lead out! Contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) atcpsc.govabout recalled toys and other household products that contain lead. Find out how to dispose of them.

* Send electronic greeting cards and letters or ones made of recycled paper.

* Wrap gifts in recycled paper, the funny papers, a pillow case, etc. Give gift certificates, movie and concert tickets, etc. that do not need to be wrapped.

* Instead of using a cut live tree, buy and decorate a large potted house plant. Or use a potted small tree which can be planted outdoors. If you use a live tree, recycle it. Find out how from your local waste department.

* If you decorate with lights, turn them off when you can, to save energy and to make the lights last longer.

* Use glasses, dishes, and silverware instead of disposable products.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Prevent Falls

Home Safety

Do This, Not That

* Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for children ages 0 to 19. Every day, about 8,000 children are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for fall-related injuries.

* Almost 86,000 fall injuries each year are linked with dogs and cats. This includes falling or tripping over the animal or its toys and/or being pulled down or pushed by a dog.

* One out of 3 people age 65 and older takes a bad fall every year. And in this age group, falls are the leading cause of death by injury.

Older Adults

People with Special Needs

General Guidelines

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026