HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Home Safety

Home Safety Checklist

Home Safety

* Keep your doors locked.

* Use a peephole in the front door.

* If you live alone, arrange for daily contact with a neighbor, relative, etc.

* Clearly post emergency numbers. Teach children how to call 9-1-1, etc. for help.

* Stock first aid supplies. In case of accidental poisoning, call the Poison Control Center (800.222.1222) for advice.

* Install smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector. Check them every 6 months. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

* Never smoke in bed or when you feel drowsy. Better yet, don’t smoke at all!

* If you use a space heater, make sure it has an emergency shut off.

* Plan an escape route in case of fire. Practice it with all household members every couple of months.

* Keep flashlights handy.

* Use night lights.

* Keep stair areas well lit.

* Have snow and icy patches cleared from the sidewalk and steps.

* Be careful or stay home if it is icy or slippery outside.

* Monitor your medication use. Let your doctor know if medicine(s) affect your vision, balance, etc. If prescribed sedatives or tranquilizers, be careful when you take them. They can increase the risk of falls.

* Don’t get up too quickly after lying down, resting, or eating a meal. Low blood pressure can cause dizziness.

* Wear nonslip, snug-fitting shoes and slippers.

* Use safety mats or nonskid tape in your tub and shower. Install grab bars in the shower and tub, too.

* If you use a shower bench, use one with rubber tips on its legs.

* Before getting in the tub, test the bath water. Make sure it is not too hot.

* Never lock the bathroom door.

* Use a cane or walker, if necessary.

* Install handrails on both sides of the stairs. Keep clutter off stairs.

* Don’t use loose area rugs. See that carpet on stairs is nailed down securely.

* Arrange furniture so there is a clear path for walking. Test if furniture is sturdy enough to lean on.

* Clear away phone or electrical wires from walk paths.

* Use a step stool with a safety rail.

* Be alert to spills or wet floors.

* To pick up things, bend at your knees and keep your back straight. Don’t stoop.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
What To Do If Clothing Catches Fire

Home Safety

Few things are more terrifying than having your clothes catch fire. Teach your children and everyone else in your family this simple, lifesaving technique, known as stop, drop, and roll.

Stop. Your natural inclination may be to run. But motion only fans the flames.

Drop. Get to the ground, cover your face with your hands, and keep your face as far from the flames as possible. (If a blanket, rug, or coat is handy, use it to smother the flames. But doing so should never delay stop, drop, and roll.)

Roll. Roll back and forth, again and again, until the flames go out.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Home Safety 2

Home Safety

Keeping your home safe takes planning. Get checklists of what to do for all areas of your home.

The number one cause of unintended deaths in the home is poisoning. This is from drugs, solids and liquid substances, gases and vapors, etc. The 2nd leading cause of unintended deaths in the home or a group residence is from falls.

To help prevent falls, use safety rails and mats and nonskid rugs. Keep pathways clear of ice and clutter.

Install smoke alarms as advised by your city’s or county’s code. Check smoke alarms once a month to see that they still work.

Keep all poisons out of children’s reach. Put child-resistant latches on cabinet doors. Follow use and storage instructions on product labels. Install carbon monoxide detectors, too.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
How To Save Your Life In A House Fire

Home Safety

Knowing how to react fast in a house fire can save your life and the lives of those you love. Here are some guidelines to follow.

* Keep the phone number of your local fire department clearly posted near all telephones in the house. (Try to memorize the number, in case you have to use a neighbor’s phone.) Use 911! where the service is available.

* Prearrange a plan for family members to follow in case of fire. Conduct fire drills using your escape route.

* If you live in a two-story house, purchase and install an emergency escape ladder and practice using it.

* If a fire breaks out, don’t stop to collect personal possessions. Get people out of the house!

* If you can’t get to within 10 to 12 feet of a fire, you can assume it’s too big to handle on your own. Call the fire department immediately. (Call them for small fires, too.)

* If you try to put out the fire, make sure you can get to an exit. Don’t back yourself into a corner.

* Smother a fire thoroughly and keep it covered so it doesn’t ignite again. The fire department will determine if the fire has been contained or if it has spread.

* If you fail to extinguish the fire and smoke is accumulating, get out of the house quickly!

Poisonous gases and smoke are often more dangerous than flames. (Smoke rises, so remember to “stay low and go.” Crawl if you must. And if you can, place a wet towel over your face to filter out smoke and fumes.)

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Install Smoke Detectors And Be Sure They Work

Home Safety

Smoke detectors save lives. But if a smoke detector is placed in the wrong spot or not maintained, it may be useless in a fire.

To install and maintain smoke detectors:

* Install at least one smoke detector on each level of your house. Best locations are in hallways and just outside bedroom doors.

* As an added safety measure, install two types of smoke detectors. The photoelectric cell variety detects smoldering fires, and the ionization type detects hot, flaming fires. Check for a UL (Underwriters Laboratory) emblem on the label to be sure the detectors you buy meet industry standards. And make sure they each come with a warranty, in case they’re defective.

* Affix detectors on the ceiling or high on an interior wall, because smoke and heat rise.

* Once a month, check the detectors to make sure the batteries still work. Most detectors have a test button. If you push the button and hear a beep, the batteries are good. If you hear a chirping sound, the batteries need to be replaced. (To be safe, you should replace the batteries annually, whether the malfunction signal goes off or not. To help you remember, choose an annual holiday, like New Year’s Day, as replacement time.)

* To make sure the sensing chamber works, you should also test the device with a lit match or candle.

* Be sure the alarm rings loudly enough to alert your family.

* Most smoke detectors last three to five years. Replace as needed.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Killer Household Products

Home Safety

Harmful drugs could be right under your nose.

Spray paint, gasoline, glue, hair spray, and cleaning products become drugs when their vapors are inhaled on purpose to get “high.” Inhalants are easy to get and are among the most popular and deadly substances that teens abuse.

The highs and lows

At first, the effects of sniffing or snorting fumes are like drinking alcohol. But feeling giddy and less inhibited lasts only a few minutes. Continued use of the inhalant is needed to feel “high” longer. Breathing in chemical fumes replaces oxygen in the lungs. As a result, repeated use can cause:

* Death (even from one session of repeated use of the inhalant)

* Liver, kidney, and bone marrow problems

* Heart rhythm problems and heart failure

* Headaches

* Dizziness

* Confusion

* Delusions

Also, the use of inhalants over time can cause health problems that cannot be reversed:

* Hearing loss

* Problems with learning and memory

* Muscle spasms

Signs of inhalant use:

* Chemical smell on clothing or breath

* Drunk, dazed, or dizzy look

* Slurred speech

* Sores around the nose or mouth

* Paint or other chemical stains on fingers

* Empty spray paint bottles or rags hidden in closets

If you suspect that a family member is using inhalants, get medical help without delay.

Action Step

Talk to your kids about the dangers of inhalants. Find out more fromwww.inhalants.drugabuse.gov.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Disinfecting Your Home Safely

WELL-BEING

It’s a good idea to regularly disinfect surfaces in your home. This can help prevent you or others from getting sick. Here’s how to do it safely:

* Check that your disinfectant is EPA-approved. Look for an EPA registration number on the product.

* Read all the directions and warnings on the package.

* Use soap and water first if the surface is dirty. Then apply your disinfectant.

* Let it sit for the “contact time” listed on the package. Make sure the surface stays wet for the whole time.

* Wear disposable gloves when using disinfectants. Throw them away after each use.

* Wash your hands when you’re done.

* Keep all disinfectants out of reach of children and pets.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Only You Can Prevent Christmas Tree Fires

Home Safety

Every Christmas season, many families tragically lose their homes because of Christmas tree fires. Here’s how to prevent them.

To choose a tree:

* Pick the freshest tree you can find. Hold the tree by the trunk and tap it against the ground. If needles drop profusely, look for another tree.

* Keep the tree outdoors with the trunk in water as long as possible. Once you bring the tree into a heated building, it will dry out more quickly.

* Indoors, keep the trunk in water. Check the water level daily, and refill when needed.

* Don’t stand the tree near a fireplace, wood stove, heat register, or electrical wires.

To decorate the tree:

* Purchase only tree lights bearing a UL label from Underwriters Laboratory, which shows they meet safety standards.

* Check for broken bulbs, worn-out insulation, and damaged sockets. Replace or repair as necessary.

* Never attach electrical lights to an artificial, metal tree. Don’t overload extension cords.

* Discourage children from touching a decorated tree-it may tip over.

* To discourage pets from attacking the tree, avoid shiny decorations, and don’t place tinsel or ornaments on the lower branches.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Avoiding Chemicals In The Home

SELF-CARE CORNER

Many common household items contain chemicals. Not all chemicals are bad for your health, but some can be harmful. To keep yourself and your family healthy, it’s best to take steps to reduce or avoid chemicals that could be unsafe.

Did you know possible toxic substances can be found in cleaning products, furniture, carpet and shower curtains? Here’s how to avoid unsafe levels of toxins:

*Read labels carefully.Many cleaning products have warnings and directions for how to use them. Follow these carefully. For instance, if it says, “use in a well-ventilated area,” you should be sure to open a window to the outside.

*Be aware of odors.If something gives you a headache, sore throat or makes you cough, this may be a sign that you shouldn’t use it anymore.

*Protect your skin.Wear gloves when using cleaning products and wash your hands after cleaning. Don’t let children use products with any chemicals in them like bleach, ammonia or strong cleaning ingredients.

*Get checked for lead.If you live in a home built before 1980, ask your local health department how you can get your home and water checked for lead. You can’t see, smell or taste lead. Lead is harmful to the brain and affects children’s development. Find out if your home is at risk and take steps to get it removed, if needed.

*Avoid pesticides whenever possible.Contact professional pest control companies for insect problems.

*Choose fragrance-free products when possible.Many fragrances contain chemicals that disrupt hormone functions in the body. Also, some people are sensitive to fragrances.

*Replace old nonstick pans that look worn or scratched.They may contain chemicals that can get into your food.

*Look for cleaning products that have the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Safer Choice” label.For more information, visitwww.epa.gov/saferchoice/products.

If someone in your home may have ingested a poisonous product, call The American Association of Poison Control Centers at (800) 222-1222.

Remove dust for a healthier home

Did you know household dust often contains chemicals and toxins from your home? A good way to reduce your exposure to them is to keep dust down. Try these tips:

* Choose non-toxic or “Safer Choice” cleaning products. White vinegar is an effective non-toxic cleaner for many surfaces.

* Use a damp rag without chemicals to dust.

* Clean floors with a damp mop or a steam-only mop.

* Vacuum floors regularly and use a vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

* Open windows to bring in fresh air whenever possible.

* Change furnace and air filters regularly.

* Wash hands often.

Source: National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Burn Notice

SELF-CARE CORNER

Follow this simple advice from the Home Safety Council and H2otStop to help reduce the risk of burn and scald injuries at home:

Bathing

* Set your water heater at 120ºF or just below the medium setting.

* Fill the bathtub. Run your hand through the water to test for hot spots. Then help children get in. When children are in or near the tub, watch them closely. Young children and older people have thin skin. They burn more quickly.

* Install special tub spouts and shower heads that prevent hot water burns. These can sense if the water gets hot enough to cause a burn and shut off the flow of water.

Cooking

* Wear long oven mitts to protect your skin when cooking or handling hot food.

* Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so children cannot pull them down. Use back burners when cooking. Keep children away from the stove when you are cooking. Put tape on the floor around the stove/oven to help children learn to stay out of the “no-kid-zone.”

* Food cooked in the microwave can get very hot and cause a burn. Use oven mitts when you take off the lid. Stir and test the food before serving to make sure it is cool enough to eat.

* Keep hot drinks away from the edge of tables and counters. Do not use tablecloths or placemats because young children can pull them down. Use a travel mug with a tight-fitting lid for all hot drinks. This can help prevent a burn if the cup tips over.

* Do not hold or carry a child while you have a hot drink in your hand. Put only cold drinks in the cup holder of your child’s stroller and child safety seat.

If a burn occurs:

* Cool it with running water. Do this right away.

* Keep the burned area in cool water for 3 minutes or longer. Do not put ice, butter, or lotion on the burn. This could make it worse.

* Call your doctor or 911 if the burn looks bad.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026