Do We Know Which House Is Yours?
Don’t forget
maintenance and
identification of your home. Add house numbers to your home if
you don’t already have them and repair broken or
worn
numbers. If an outside light
is near, make sure the bulb isn’t burnt out and clean
the
glass.
In an emergency situation knowing which home we are
being summoned to is helpful when the numbers are in place and they
are legible from the street.
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The Scoop
About Snow Shoveling
While shoveling snow can be good
exercise, it can also be dangerous for optimistic shovelers who take
on more than they can handle. The National Safety Council offers the
following tips to help you get a handle on safe shoveling:
- Individuals over the age of 40, or those who are relatively
inactive, should be especially careful.
- If you have a history of heart trouble, do not shovel without
a doctor's permission.
- Do not shovel after eating or while smoking.
- Take it slow! Shoveling (like lifting weights) can raise your
heart rate and blood pressure dramatically; so pace yourself. Be
sure to stretch out and warm up before taking on the task.
- Shovel only fresh snow. Freshly fallen, powdery snow is easier
to shovel than the wet, packed-down variety.
- Push the snow as you shovel. It's easier on your back than
lifting the snow out of the way.
- Don't pick up too much at once. Use a small shovel, or fill
only one-fourth or one-half of a large one.
- Lift with your legs bent, not your back. Keep your back
straight. By bending and "sitting" into the movement, you'll keep
your spine upright and less stressed. Your shoulders, torso and
thighs can do the work for you.
- Do not work to the point of exhaustion. If you run out of
breath, take a break. If you feel tightness in your chest, stop
immediately.
- Dress warmly. Remember that extremities, such as the nose,
ears, hands and feet, need extra attention during winter's cold.
Wear a turtleneck sweater, cap, scarf, face protection, mittens,
wool socks and waterproof boots.
Water
Safety
Drowning claims the lives of over 4,000
people every year. Although all age groups are represented, children
0-4 have the highest death rate due to drowning.
In 1998, 500 children under the age of
five drowned. Most drowning and near-drowning happen when a child
falls into a pool or is left alone in the bathtub. The National
Safety Council encourages adults to establish and adhere to strict
water safety rules:
Safety Tips
- Never leave a child alone near water -- at the pool, the beach
or in the tub -- a tragedy can occur in seconds. If you must
leave, take your child with you.
- Always use approved personal flotation devices (life jackets.)
The U.S. Coast Guard estimates nearly 9 of 10 drowning victims
were not wearing one.
- Beware of neighborhood pools -- be it your own or your
neighbors. Remove toys from in and around the pool when not in
use. Toys can attract children to the pool.
- For pools, barriers can offer added protection against
drowning. Power or manual covers will completely cover a pool and
block access to the water, however, be sure to drain any standing
water from the surface of the pool cover as a child can drown in
very small amounts of water.
- Enroll children over age three in swimming lessons taught by
qualified instructors. But keep in mind that lessons don't make
your child "drown-proof."
- Older children risk drowning when they overestimate their
swimming ability or underestimate the water depth.
- Teach your children these four key swimming rules:
- Always swim with a buddy.
- Don't dive into unknown bodies of water. Jump feet first to
avoid hitting your head on a shallow bottom.
- Don't push or jump on others.
- Be prepared for an emergency.
- Never consume alcohol when operating a boat.
- Always have a first-aid kit and emergency phone contacts
handy. Parents should be trained in CPR (cardiopulmonary
resuscitation).
Holiday Season
Safety
The National Safety Council offers these
suggestions to help make your holiday season merry and safe.
Decorations
Wear gloves while decorating
with spun glass "angel hair." It can irritate your eyes and skin. A
common substitute is non-flammable cotton. Both angel hair and
cotton snow are flame retardant when used alone. However, if
artificial snow is sprayed onto them, the dried combination will
burn rapidly. When spraying artificial snow on windows or other
surfaces, be sure to follow directions carefully. These sprays can
irritate your lungs if you inhale them.
Fireplaces
You should not try to burn
evergreen or wreaths in the fireplace or in a wood stove to dispose
of them. They are likely to flare out of control and send flames and
smoke into the room. Also, do not burn wrapping paper in the
fireplace because it often contains metallic materials which can be
toxic if burned.
Candles
Never use lighted candles near trees,
boughs, curtains/drapes, or with any potentially flammable item.
Toys and Gifts
Be especially careful when you
choose toys for infants or small children. Be sure anything you give
them is too big to get caught in the throat, nose or ears. Avoid
toys with small parts that can be pulled or broken off. If you are
giving toys to several children in one family, consider their age
differences and the chances that younger children will want to play
with older kids' toys.
Older adults
Select gifts for older adults
that are not heavy or awkward to handle. For persons with arthritis,
make sure the gift does not require assembly and can be easily
opened and closed. Choose books with large type for anyone with
vision impairment.
Plants
Small children may think that holiday
plants look good enough to eat. But many plants can cause severe
stomach problems. Plants to watch out for include: mistletoe, holly
berries, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis. Keep all of these plants
out of children's reach.
Food and Cooking
The holidays often mean
preparing large meals for family and friends. Wash hands, utensils,
sink, and anything else that has come in contact with raw poultry.
Keep in mind that a stuffed bird takes longer to cook. For questions
concerning holiday turkey preparation and cooking call the USDA Meat
and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. Refrigerate or freeze
leftovers in covered shallow containers (less than two inches deep)
within two hours after cooking. Date the leftovers for future use.
Alcohol, Parties and Driving
Being a smart
party host or guest should include being sensible about alcoholic
drinks. More than half of all traffic fatalities are
alcohol-related. Use designated drivers, people who do not drink, to
drive other guests home after a holiday party.
Stress
The holiday season is one of the most
stressful times of the year. You can't avoid stress completely, but
you can give yourself some relief. Allow enough time to shop rather
than hurry through stores and parking lots. Only plan to do a
reasonable number of errands. When shopping, make several trips out
to the car to drop off packages rather than trying to carry too many
items. Take time out for yourself. Relax, read, or enjoy your
favorite hobby at your own pace.
How to
Prevent Frostbite and Hypothermia
Prolonged exposure to low temperatures,
wind or moisture - whether it be on a ski slope or in a stranded car
- can result in cold-related illnesses such as frostbite and
hypothermia. The National Safety Council offers these tips to help
you spot and put a halt to these winter hazards.
How to detect and treat cold-related illnesses
Frostbite is the most common injury resulting
from exposure to severe cold. Superficial frostbite is characterized
by white, waxy, or grayish-yellow patches on the affected areas. The
skin feels cold and numb. The skin surface feels stiff but
underlying tissue feels soft and pliable when depressed. Treat
superficial frostbite by taking the victim inside immediately.
Remove any constrictive clothing items that could impair
circulation. If you notice signs of frostbite, immediately seek
medical attention. Place dry, sterile gauze between toes and fingers
to absorb moisture and to keep them from sticking together. Slightly
elevate the affected part to reduce pain and swelling. If you are
more than one hour from a medical facility and you have warm water,
place the frostbitten part in the water (102 to 106 degrees
Fahrenheit). If you do not have a thermometer, test the water first
to see if it is warm, not hot. Rewarming usually takes 20 to 40
minutes or until tissues soften.
Deep frostbite usually affects the feet or hands and is
characterized by waxy, pale, solid skin. Blisters may appear. Treat
deep frostbite by moving the victim indoors and immediately seek
medical attention.
Hypothermia occurs when the body's temperature
drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms of this condition
include change in mental status, uncontrollable shivering, cool
abdomen and a low core body temperature. Severe hypothermia may
produce rigid muscles, dark and puffy skin, irregular heart and
respiratory rates, and unconsciousness.
Treat hypothermia by protecting the victim from further heat loss
and calling for immediate medical attention. Get the victim out of
the cold. Add insulation such as blankets, pillows, towels or
newspapers beneath and around the victim. Be sure to cover the
victim's head. Replace wet clothing with dry clothing. Handle the
victim gently because rough handling can cause cardiac arrest. Keep
the victim in a horizontal (flat) position. Give artificial
respiration or CPR (if you are trained) as necessary.
How to prevent cold-related illnesses
Avoid frostbite and hypothermia when you are exposed to cold
temperatures by wearing layered clothing, eating a well-balanced
diet, and drinking warm, non-alcoholic, caffeine-free liquids to
maintain fluid levels.
Avoid becoming wet, as wet clothing loses
90 percent of its insulating value.
Use Fireworks
Safely
For Americans, summer means picnics, barbecues, parades,
fireworks displays and other fun activities. Unfortunately, summer
holidays are also identified with backyard firecrackers, bottle
rockets, cherry bombs and other dangerous explosives.
Despite efforts to educate people about the hazards of home
fireworks, the problem persists. In 2000 (most recent available
figures), 10 people were killed and 11,000 people were treated in
hospital emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries.
Almost half of the injuries happen to children 15 and younger.
Almost two-thirds of the victims are male. Firecrackers, bottle
rockets and sparklers cause most fireworks injuries, with
firecrackers accounting for the 30 percent of the injuries. Even
seemingly harmless sparklers burn at temperatures as high as 1,800
degrees Fahrenheit and can cause disfiguring burns. Most injuries
result from misuse, including holding firecrackers too long, picking
up lighted fireworks and having fireworks explode near a bystander.
Common injuries include second- and third-degree burns, partial or
total loss of sight, lacerations and fractures.
The National Safety Council strongly urges people to avoid all
home fireworks. Some people, however, will still conduct backyard
fireworks displays despite laws against their use and the great
danger to themselves and others. For those people who insist on
putting themselves at risk, the National Safety Council reluctantly
offers the following suggestions to minimize the chance of injuries
from fireworks to users and bystanders:
- Always light fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from
onlookers, houses and flammable materials.
- Light one device at a time; maintain a safe distance after
lighting the devices.
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks;
douse and soak them with water and discard them safely.
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
- Older children should use fireworks only under close adult
supervision.
- Do not allow any running or horseplay while fireworks are
being used.
- Never ignite devices in a container.
- Always store fireworks in a dry, cool place and avoid rough
handling that might damage the fuse or handles.
As a preventive measure, keep a bucket of water nearby when
conducting a home display. Use the water to fully extinguish
fireworks that don't go off immediately. Cool water should be
applied to burns. If a person suffers a serious injury, get
immediate medical assistance. Above all -- the best way to have a
blast this summer, without endangering yourself or others, is to
watch and safely enjoy a public fireworks display conducted by
professionals.
How to Lift
and Carry Safely
Lifting and carrying are power jobs --
when you lift and carry the wrong way, you can damage your back.
Back injuries are the most common type of injury in the workplace,
causing approximately 900,000 disabling injuries in 1995. Over half
of these injuries are from lifting.
Back injuries may be difficult to treat and may have lengthy and
expensive rehabilitation times.
Whether you are lifting at home or at
work, make an effort to take care of your back. The National Safety
Council recommends a number of tips to prevent unintentional
injuries and keep your back strong and healthy.
Power warm-up
You will work better if you start each day with slow stretches.
These warm-us let you ease comfortably into your workday and help
you avoid injuries.
| Leg and
back warm-up |
- Prop one foot on a chair or a stool for
support.
- Take a deep breath.
- Ease forward slowly -- keep your back
slightly curved.
- Blow slowly outward as you ease forward to
a seven count.
- Repeat seven times.
- Switch and do the same with the other foot.
|
| Backbend |
- Stand with your feet about 12 inches apart.
- Support the small of your back with your
hands.
- Hold your stomach in firmly and take a deep
breath.
- Arch backward -- bend your head and neck as
you go, blowing air slowly out for seven counts.
- Repeat seven times.
|
| Power
lifting tips |
- Protect your hands and feet by wearing safety gear.
- Size up the load -- tip it on its side to see if you can
carry it comfortably. Get help if the load is too big or
bulky for one person. Check for nails, splinters, rough
strapping and sharp edges.
- Lift it right -- make sure
your footing is solid. Keep your back straight, with no
curving or slouching. Center your body over your feet, get a
good grip on the object and pull it close to you. Pull your
stomach in firmly. Lift with your legs, not your back; if
you need to turn, move your feet and don't twist your
back.
|
| Tough
lifting jobs |
Oversized loads -- do
not try to carry a big load alone; ask for help. Work as a
team by lifting, walking and lowering the load together. Let
one person call the shots and direct the lift. Use proper
mechanical devices for heavy loads.
High loads -- use a step stool or a
sturdy ladder to reach loads that are above your shoulders.
Get as close to the load as you can and slide the load toward
you. Do all the work with your arms and legs, not your back.
Low loads -- loads that are under racks
and cabinets need extra care. Pull the load toward you, then
try to support it on one knee before you lift. Use your legs
to power the lift.
Always ... use your stomach as a low
back support by pulling it in during lifting.
Remember ... a strong, healthy,
powerful back is vital to your job. It also helps you enjoy
life. Take pains to avoid injuries by making it a full-time
job to take care of your
back! |
Baby-proofing
Your Home
Babies learn quickly in their
first year. For new parents, it's a pleasant surprise to see how
soon they begin moving and exploring. But turn your back for a
moment, and the infant who was squirming helplessly on a blanket is
suddenly crawling across the room at high speeds.
Children are naturally curious. Tasting, touching and
feeling are how infants and toddlers learn about the world around
them. Take a moment to look at your surroundings from a youngster's
point of view. Then make any necessary adjustments to babyproof your
home.
Mechanical suffocation and suffocation by ingested
objects cause the most home fatalities to children 0-4 years of age.
Drownings and home fires also contribute to the death of young
children.
Suffocation and Choking
- Infants, when placed on an adult bed of any kind, can roll
into the space between the wall and the mattress and suffocate.
Exercise caution if sleeping in the same bed with an infant. It is
possible for an infant to become wedged between your body and the
mattress and suffocate. Infants should never be placed on top of
soft surfaces like sofas, large soft toys, sofa cushions, pillows,
water beds or on top of blankets, quilts or comforters.
- Babies should sleep on their backs.
- Crib bars should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart to prevent
infants from getting their heads stuck between them. Cribs
manufactured after 1974 must meet this and other strict safety
standards.
- The crib mattress must fit tightly so there are no gaps for an
infant to fall into. Keep the crib clear of plastic sheets,
pillows and large stuffed animals or toys. These can be
suffocation hazards.
- Keep toys with long strings or cords away from infants and
young children. A cord can become wrapped around an infant's neck
and cause strangulation. Toys with long strings, cords, loops or
ribbons should never be hung in cribs or playpens. Similarly,
pacifiers should never be attached to strings or ribbons around
the baby's neck.
- Place an infant or child's bed away from any windows. Check
window coverings for potentially hazardous pull cords.
- Use child safety gates at the top and bottom of all staircases
and be sure they're installed correctly. Avoid accordion style
safety gates with large openings that children could fit their
heads through.
- Choking is a common cause of unintentional death in children
under the age of 1. Avoid all foods that could lodge in a child's
throat. Some examples include popcorn, grapes, foods with pits,
raisins, nuts, hard candies, raw vegetables, and small pieces of
hotdogs.
- Never let children of any age eat or suck on anything, such as
hard candy, while lying down.
- Keep floors, tables and cabinet tops
free of small objects that could be swallowed. Such objects
include coins, button-sized batteries, rings, nails, tacks and
broken or deflated balloons.
Falls and Burns
- A mixer faucet on the basin, tub and shower will prevent
scalds. Set your hot water thermostat for 120° F. A baby's bath
water should be 100° F. Always check bath water temperature with
your wrist or elbow before putting a baby in to bathe. Don't allow
children in a whirlpool, Jacuzzi or hot tub. Their bodies are more
sensitive to hot water.
- Teach youngsters that matches are tools for adults, not toys.
Adults should never ignite lighters or matches in front of
children. Store matches in a fire-resistant container out of the
reach of youngsters.
- Do not smoke, use matches or drink hot beverages while holding
an infant. Don't leave burning cigarettes unattended.
- Remember that radiators, heating vents, space heaters,
fireplaces, stoves and hotwater taps are not always hot. Children
can touch them once safely and the next time receive a severe
burn.
- Keep electrical cords and wires out of the way so toddlers
can't pull, trip or chew on them. Cover wall outlets with safety
caps.
Drowning
- Never leave a child unsupervised in the bathtub. If you must
leave the room for a telephone call or to answer the door, wrap
the child in a towel and take him or her with you. Don't leave a
small child alone with any container of liquid, including wading
pools, scrub buckets, and toilets.
- A swimming pool drowning could also be called a "silent death"
as there is rarely a splash or cry for help to alert parents to
the problem. The typical drowning victim is a boy between 1 and 3
years old who is thought not to be in the pool area at the time of
the incident.
- Fence in the pool completely. Doors leading to the pool area
should be self closing and self-latching or equipped with exit
alarms and should never be propped open.
- Never take your eyes off children when they are in or near
any body of water, not even for a second. Don't rely on
inflatable devices, such as inner tubes, water wings, inflatable
mattresses and toys or other similar objects to keep a youngster
afloat. Keep toys, tricycle and other playthings away from the
pool area. A toddler near the water could unexpectedly fall in.
- All pool owners and their families are encouraged to seek
training in swimming, lifesaving, first aid and cardiopulmonary
resuscitation.
If it seems that there is a lot to do before that new bundle of
joy comes home -- you are correct. However, simple safety checks can
help ensure that you and baby will have many happy and healthy years
together.
Crib Safety
Tips
Crib Design:
- Dispose of antique cribs with decorative cutout, corner posts
or lead paint.
- The space between the slats should be no more than 2-3/8
inches apart to prevent infants from getting their head stuck
between them. Cribs manufactured after 1974 must meet this and
other strict safety standards.
- The corner posts should be the same height as the end panels
or less than 1/16 of an inch higher than the end panels.
- No cut-out areas on the headboard or footboard so a baby's
head cannot get trapped.
- The top rails of crib sides, in their raised position, should
be at least 26 inches above the top of the mattress support at its
lowest position.
- As soon as the child can pull
himself to a standing position, set and keep the mattress at its
lowest position. Stop using the crib once the height of the top
rails is less than three-fourths of the child's height.
Mattress:
- The mattress should fit snugly next to the crib so that there
is no gap. If two adult fingers can be placed between the mattress
and the crib, the mattress should be immediately replaced.
- Do not use plastic packaging materials, such as dry cleaning
bags, as mattress covers. Plastic film can cling to children's
faces and should never be in or near the crib.
- Put your baby to sleep on his or her
back or side in a crib with a firm, flat mattress and no soft
bedding underneath. Talk to your pediatrician about which sleeping
position is best for you child.
Crib Hardware:
- The drop side(s) of the crib should require two distinct
actions or a minimum force of ten pounds with one action to
release the latch or the locks to prevent accidental release by
the child.
- The crib hardware should be checked
for disengaged, broken, bent or loose pieces. Special checks
should be made of the mattress support hangers and brackets so
they cannot drop. The hardware and the crib should be smooth and
free of sharp edges, points and rough surfaces.
Crib Accessories:
- Bumper pads should cover the entire inside perimeter of the
crib and tie or snap in place. Bumper pads should have at least
six straps or ties and any excess length of straps or ties should
be cut off. Bumper pads should never be used in lieu of proper
spacing between the slats and should be removed from the crib as
soon as the child can pull himself to a standing position.
- Teething rails that are damaged should be fixed, replaced or
removed immediately.
- To prevent possible entanglement, mobiles and crib gyms, which
are meant to be hung over or across the crib, should be removed
when the child is five months old or when he begins to push up
onto hands and knees or can pull himself up.
- Keep the crib clear of plastic sheets, pillows, and large
stuffed animals or toys. These can be suffocation hazards or can
enable youngsters to climb out of the crib.
- Any cloth or vinyl items that are loose or torn should be
replaced or repaired immediately.
Crib Environment:
- Do not place crib next to a window. Drapery and blind cords
pose an entanglement hazard and window screens are not intended to
keep a child in, only insects out.
- Install smoke detectors. Follow the manufacturer's directions
for placement. Check at least once a month to make sure battery
and smoke detector are in good working condition.
- Lead is a health hazard, especially to young children. It can
be found in dust and soil off busy roadways, in old paint on
walls, toys and furniture and sometimes in paint on new imported
items. If you think your child has taken in leaded paint or soil,
or you need help with identifying or removing lead paint, call the
National Safety Council's National Lead Information Center at
800-424-5323.
Preventing Slips and
Falls in the Home
In 1998, falls in the home and community
caused or led to 15,900 deaths. All age groups are vulnerable, but
older adults are most at risk. In fact 80% of those receiving fatal
injury are over the age of 65. Falls continue to be the major reason
for injury-related death, injury and hospital admission for older
adults.
Follow these tips to prevent slips and falls in your
home:
- Keep the floor clear. Reduce clutter and safely tuck telephone
and electrical cords out of walkways.
- Keep the floor clean. Clean up grease, water and other liquids
immediately. Don't wax floors.
- Use non-skid throw rugs to reduce your chance of slipping on
linoleum.
- Install handrails in stairways. Have grab bars in the bathroom
(by toilets and in tub/shower.)
- Make sure living areas are well lit. We can all trip and fall
in the dark.
- Be aware that climbing and reaching high places will increase
your chance of a fall. Use a sturdy step stool with hand rails
when these tasks are necessary.
- Follow medication dosage closely. Using medication incorrectly
may lead to dizziness, weakness and other side effects. These can
all lead to a dangerous fall.
How to Prevent Poisoning
in Your Home
As consumers, we buy more than a quarter
of a million different household products that are used in and
around the home for medication, cleaning, cosmetic purposes,
exterminating insects, and killing weeds. These items are valuable
in the home and for yard maintenance, but misuse, especially when
products are used in inappropriate applications or quantities, can
cause illness, injury and even death.
Each year more than 6,000 people die and an estimated 300,000
suffer disabling illnesses as a result of unintentional poisoning by
solid and liquid substances. Unintentional poisoning can happen to
anyone, at any time, in any situation.
Home unintentional poisoning, however,
can be prevented. While child-resistant packaging has greatly
reduced the number of fatalities among children under five years of
age, parents, grandparents, and other caregivers must still be
cautious. Following label directions for all products, including
medication dosages, and proper storage of potentially toxic products
are important precautions to heed.
Statistics
- Poisonings from solids and liquids such as drugs, medicines,
poisonous houseplants, cleaning products, and pesticides caused
6,300 deaths in the home in 1998 alone.
- An additional 500 deaths in the home in 1998 were due to
poisonings from gases and vapors such as carbon monoxide.
- These deaths are not all among children. Another age group at
risk is adults age 25 through 44. Many adults are unintentionally
poisoned when they do not follow label directions on medications
or household chemicals.
You can keep yourself and family members safer by being aware of
potential hazards and observing these suggestions from the National
Safety Council on ways to poison-proof your home.
Bathroom
- Have a "child-proof" cabinet that locks. Even if your medicine
cabinet is "high up," youngsters are inquisitive and avid
climbers. They can easily reach a cabinet by climbing from the
toilet (or other convenient object) to the sink and thus reach
into the cabinet.
- Use child-resistant caps and keep medication lids tightly
closed. A child-resistant cap is meaningless if not properly
fastened after each use.
- Never take medication in front of a child, or refer to pills
as candy. Kids often mimic adults. Also, something that tastes
awful to an adult may not faze a small child.
- Always follow the recommended dosage set forth by your doctor
for all medications.
- Some mouthwashes contain enough alcohol to poison small
children. Consider alternative products.
- Some toilet bowl cleansers are
dangerously caustic and capable of burning tissue if
ingested.
Bedroom
- Mothballs and crystals should be hung in containers. If such
products are used in closets or chests, they should be out of the
reach of toddlers.
- Keep personal care items are such as
hair spray, cologne, perfumes, nail polish remover, nail glue
remover, and astringents where children can't get into
them.
Living Room
- People who visit may carry medications in coat pockets,
jackets, and purses, all of which are perfect hunting grounds for
a curious child. Hang garments and store purses where children are
not likely to get at them.
- Children may be exposed to different lead sources in your
home. Small children may chew on window sills, eat paint chips, or
suck on their hands or toys, exposing themselves to lead dust.
Lead poisoning can cause serious medical problems, especially in
young children. Be sure your home is lead safe.
Kitchen
- Check under the sink and in cabinets. Look for stored products
that could be hazardous when accessible to young children. These
could include such items as bleaching agents, rust removers, drain
cleaners, ammonia, oven cleaners, detergents, furniture polish,
floor wax, metal polish, wax remover, and wall/floor/toilet bowl
cleaners. Even food extracts, such as vanilla and almond, are
potential poisons. If products cannot be moved, install safety
latches on cupboard doors to keep inquisitive youngsters out.
- Cleaning compounds and foods should never be stored together.
- Keep all substances in their original containers. Using
beverage bottles or cans for storing cleaning fluids, liquid floor
wax, and other household mixtures is very hazardous. Children, and
even adults, might mistake the contents for the original beverage.
Also, labels on original containers give important usage and
safety information.
- Keep potentially hazardous cleaning compounds capped. Do not
leave an uncapped container unattended even "just a minute" if
toddlers are present.
Additional Precautions
- Keep the numbers of your local poison control center (or
national toll-free number, 800-222-1222) or family doctor posted
near the telephone. Have the original container and its label when
you call.
- Keep syrup of ipecac available but use only when instructed to
by a doctor or poison control center.
- Use safety latches or combination locks to prevent curious
children from getting into cabinets and drawers. Don't let
children watch you open them. Kids learn fast.
- Many poisonings of youngsters happen when the household
routine has been interrupted. Examples of such changes include:
when a parent is ill; when a family is moving; when a family is on
a trip; when there is a guest in the home; when there is family
tension; when seasonal products are in use. In addition, hungry or
tired children are prone to putting the first available object
they find into their mouths.
- Throw out unneeded or expired medicines (OTC and
prescriptions). Look for the expiration date. Out-of-date
medications may be ineffective and/or dangerous.
- For handling poisonings and other emergencies, everyone should
be trained in first aid.
Especially for Older Adults
- Request medicine labels be printed in larger type.
- If one type of child-restraint closure is difficult to use,
ask your pharmacist for a different kind (especially if there are
young children around).
- Make sure you are taking the medicine you intended; turn on
the lights and double-check the label, especially when you are
sleepy or sick.
- Avoid dosage errors - use dosage containers indicating day of
week and/or time of day; don't leave it to memory.
- If you are taking two or more medications (prescription or
OTC), be sure to check with your pharmacist to avoid unexpected
drug interactions.
- Consider a dedicated medicine
storage area - even if there are no kids in the house.
Pets are Susceptible, Too!
- Poisonous anti-freeze tastes sweet to dogs and cats - clean up
spills and leaks immediately and store carefully.
- Avoid feeding pets human food - chocolate can poison and kill
a dog. Onions are potentially harmful. Pets are healthier eating
food specially formulated for what they need.
- Don’t spray or store cleaning or pesticide products near pet
food or water dishes.
- Make sure animals can’t get at bait products while they are in
use.
- In the event of a spill, be sure to keep animals out of the
area until it is cleaned up.
- Don’t forget about wildlife.
Spraying products on a windy day can carry the product into the
water supply for wild animals.
provided by the National Safety Council
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