| About 2-1/2 million children are injured or killed by | | | | burns from hot water. |
| hazards in the home each year. The good news is | | | | SMOKE DETECTORS are essential safety devices |
| that many of these incidents can be prevented - by | | | | for protection against fire deaths and injuries. |
| using simple child safety devices on the market today. | | | | Check smoke detectors once a month to make sure |
| Any safety device you buy should be sturdy enough | | | | they're working. If detectors are battery-operated, |
| to prevent injury to your child, yet easy for you to use. | | | | change batteries at least once a year or consider |
| It's important to follow installation instructions carefully. In | | | | using 10-year batteries. |
| addition, if you have older children in the house, be sure | | | | WINDOW GUARDS and SAFETY NETTING for |
| they re-secure safety devices. Remember, too, that | | | | balconies and decks can help prevent serious falls. |
| no device is completely childproof; determined | | | | Check these safety devices frequently to make sure |
| youngsters have been known to disable them. | | | | they are secure and properly installed and maintained. |
| Here are some child safety devices that can help | | | | There should be no more than four inches between |
| prevent many injuries to young children. | | | | the bars of the window guard. If you have window |
| SAFETY LATCHES and LOCKS on cabinets and | | | | guards, be sure at least one window in each room can |
| drawers can help prevent children from gaining access | | | | be easily used for escape in a fire. Window screens |
| to medicines and household cleaners, as well as knives | | | | are not effective for preventing children from falling out |
| and other sharp objects. | | | | of windows. |
| Look for safety latches and locks that adults can | | | | CORNER and EDGE BUMPERS can be used with |
| easily install and use, but are sturdy enough to | | | | furniture and fireplace hearths to help prevent injuries |
| withstand pulls and tugs from children. Safety latches | | | | from falls or to soften falls against sharp or rough |
| are not a guarantee of protection, but they can make | | | | edges. |
| it more difficult for children to reach dangerous | | | | Be sure to look for bumpers that stay securely on |
| substances. Even products with child-resistant | | | | furniture or hearth edges. |
| packaging should he locked away, out of reach; this | | | | OUTLET COVERS and OUTLET PLATES can help |
| packaging is not childproof. | | | | protect children from electrical shock and possible |
| SAFETY GATES can help keep children away from | | | | electrocution. |
| stairs or rooms that have hazards in them. | | | | Be sure the outlet protectors cannot be easily |
| Look for safety gates that children cannot dislodge | | | | removed by children and are large enough so that |
| easily, but that adults can open and close without | | | | children cannot choke on them. |
| difficulty. For the top of stairs, gates that screw to the | | | | A CARBON MONOXIDE (C0) DETECTOR can help |
| wall are more secure than pressure gates." | | | | prevent CO poisoning. |
| New safety gates that meet safety standards display | | | | Consumers should install CO detectors near sleeping |
| a certification seal from the Juvenile Products | | | | areas in their homes. Households that should use CO |
| Manufacturers Association (JPMA). If you have an | | | | detectors include those with gas or oil heat or with |
| older safety gate, he sure it doesn't have "V'' shapes | | | | attached garages. |
| that are large enough for a child's head and neck to fit | | | | WINDOW BLIND CORD SAFETY TASSELS on |
| into. | | | | miniblinds and tension devices on vertical blinds and |
| DOOR KNOB COVERS and DOOR LOCKS can help | | | | drapery cords can help prevent deaths and injuries |
| keep children away from places with hazards, including | | | | from strangulation in the loops of cords. |
| swimming pools. | | | | For older miniblinds, cut the card loop, remove the |
| Be sure the door knob cover is sturdy enough not to | | | | buckle, and put safety tassels on each cord. Be sure |
| break, but allows a door to be opened quickly by an | | | | that older vertical blinds and drapery cords have |
| adult in case of emergency. By restricting access to | | | | tension or tie-down devices to hold the cords tight. |
| potentially hazardous rooms in the home, door knob | | | | When buying new miniblinds, verticals, and draperies, |
| covers could help prevent many kinds of injuries. To | | | | ask for safety features to prevent child strangulation. |
| prevent access to swimming pools, door locks should | | | | DOOR STOPS and DOOR HOLDERS on doors and |
| be placed high out of reach of young children. Locks | | | | door hinges can help prevent small fingers and hands |
| should be used in addition to fences and door alarms. | | | | from being pinched or crushed in doors and door |
| Sliding glass doors, with locks that must be re-secured | | | | hinges. |
| after each use, are often not an effective barrier to | | | | Be sure any safety device for doors is easy to use |
| pools. | | | | and is not likely to break into small parts, which could |
| ANTI-SCALD DEVICES for regulating water | | | | be a choking hazard for young children. |
| temperature can help prevent burns. | | | | CORDLESS PHONES help you watch your child |
| Consider using anti-scald devices for faucets and | | | | continuously, without leaving the vicinity to answer a |
| showerheads. A plumber may need to install these. In | | | | phone call. Cordless phones are especially helpful |
| addition, if you live in your own home, set water heater | | | | when children are in or near water, whether it's the |
| temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent | | | | bathtub, the swimming pool, or the beach. |