Home safety
One-third of all injuries take place in the home. It is the second most common location of
accidental death from injuries in the United States (Motor vehicles on the road are first.).
Children under age 5 and adults over age 70 are the highest risk groups for both fatal and
nonfatal home injury.
Public Health offers assessment and instruction about home safety for children and
child-proofing the home.
Call 952-563-8900 for information.
Protect yourself and your loved ones from these most common causes of home injuries:
Source: Home Safety
Council 
Visit the Home Safety Council website for more detailed information and additional
resources.
Prevent infant sleep accidents
-
Put baby to sleep on its back - always.
-
Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved crib mattress covered
by a fitted sheet.
-
Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep area; do not provide a
head pillow for the first two years.
-
Keep your baby's sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and others sleep.
-
Do not let your baby get too warm during sleep.
-
Do not allow smoking around your baby.
-
More information
about reducing SIDS risk
Top of page
Prevent choking and suffocation
-
Things that can fit through a toilet paper tube can cause a young child to choke. Keep
coins, latex balloons, and hard round foods, such as peanuts and hard candy, out of
children's reach.
-
Don't put pillows, comforters, or toys in cribs. These can suffocate children.
-
Clip the loops in window cords, and place them up high where children can't get them.
-
Read the labels on toys. Be sure your child is old enough to play with them.
-
Tell children to sit down when they eat and to take small bites.
Top of page
Prevent falls
-
Have grab bars in the tub and shower.
-
Have bright lights over stairs and steps and over landings.
-
Have handrails on both sides of the stairs and steps.
-
Use a ladder for climbing instead of a stool or furniture.
-
If babies or toddlers live in or visit your home, use baby gates at the top and bottom of
the stairs.
Top of page
Prevent fires and burns
-
Have working smoke alarms and hold fire drills. If you build a new home, install fire
sprinklers.
-
Stay by stove when cooking, especially when frying food.
-
Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn. Turn them off when
you leave the room or go to sleep.
-
Only use candles when an adult is in the room. Blow the candle out if you leave the room or
go to sleep.
-
If you smoke, smoke outside. Use deep ashtrays and put water in them before you empty them.
Lock matches and lighters in a place where children can't reach them.
Top of page
Prevent poisonings
-
Read the label before using products. If you see the words caution, warning, danger, or
poison, lock these items in a place where children can't reach them.
-
Keep all cleaners in their original containers. Do not mix them together.
-
Use medications carefully. Follow the directions and keep them locked away from children.
-
Install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas.
-
Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 if someone takes poison. If you have a
question about poisons, This number will also connect you to emergency help in your area.
Top of page
Prevent water accidents
-
Stay within an arm's length of children in and around water. This includes the bathtub,
toilet, pools, and spas - even buckets of water.
-
Put a fence all the way around your pool or spa.
-
Empty large buckets and wading pools after using them. Store them upside down when not in
use.
-
Make sure your children always swim with an adult. No child or adult should swim alone.
-
Keep your hot water at or below 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent burns.
Top of page
For more information, contact:
Bloomington Public Health Division
1900 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN 55431
PH: 952-563-8900 V/TTY
Office hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Interpreters and transportation information are available upon request.
|
