Baby-Proofing Around the Home

Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs and in the doorways of rooms with hazards. Gates with expanding pressure bars should be placed away from baby.

Use doorknob covers to keep children away from rooms and other areas with hazards, such as swimming pools. Be careful, though, that these devices are easy for adults to use in case of emergency.

Put corner and edge bumpers on furniture and other items like a fireplace hearth to protect against injury.

Place furniture away from high windows so children won’t climb onto windowsills. Screens aren’t strong enough to keep children from falling through windows.

Make sure window blinds do not have looped cords -- they can be strangulation hazards for children. Blinds, shades, and draperies purchased before 2001 should be repaired or replaced. Also, always lock blinds into position whether they are all the way up or down.

Remove free-falling lids from toy chests, which should have a lid that stays open or a very light, removable one. Prevent furniture from tipping by securing bookcases, shelving, and heavy furniture to walls with brackets and anchors. When storing items, put heavier items on bottom shelves and in bottom drawers.

December 1st, 2010
Fire is Smoke and Gas (Video Parts 1 & 2)
While home sick from work today, I was channel surfing the local cable stations, and stopped when I found a compelling fire safety video concerning the dangers of smoke inhalation ...

October 25th, 2010
Seven people taken to local hospital due to carbon monoxide exposure in Green Bay, WI
Source: WFRV News GREEN BAY, Wi–(WFRV) The Green Bay Fire Department responded to a carbon monoxide call on Saturday evening at 10:42 pm. The home residence, 1600 Farlin ...

October 25th, 2010
Carbon Monoxide Detector Saves Seven Lives in Howard County, MD
Source: Oct 25, 2010 - Washington Examiner Howard County fire officials say a home where seven Elkridge residents suffered carbon monoxide poisoning had a working carbon monoxide ...

October 5th, 2010
Home Invasion and Burglary is on the Rise in Fairfax, VA
Home invasion and burglary is on the rise. With unemployment still hovering around 10% and an economy struggling to rebound, some are turning to drastic measures. One community in ...

October 5th, 2010
Carbon Monoxide - A Clear, Odorless Gas That Goes Virtually Undetected
Author: Maria Richmond for HomeSafe.com It has no smell, nor can you see carbon monoxide, yet it is very dangerous and kills several hundred people each year. Carbon monoxide is ...

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