Bathroom and Kitchen Safety: 10 Tips for Preventing Household Accidents

Bathroom and Kitchen: 10 Tips for Preventing Household Accidents.

These rooms - with their sharp objects, chemicals, and more require a few extra steps to ensure your family's safety.

1 Keep the telephone number for our local poison-control center close at hand.

Have a bottle of syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting when - and only when - you are advised to do so by a physician.

2 Use childproof locks to secure cabinets with cleaners inside.

Do the same for drawers containing sharp tools. Stow trash in a locked cabinet.

3 Cover gas stove knobs.

Inexpensive plastic sheaths or covers help keep curious toddlers from turning on the gas.

4 Move refrigerator magnets out of a child's reach.

If one of these breaks, its various parts could pose a choking hazard.

5 Place a nonslip mat or applique in the bathroom tub and shower.

The floor of each can be a slipping hazard for everyone in the home. It's one of the most inexpensive home safety investments around.

6 Pad the bathtub spout with an insulating cover.

This simple measure can protect younger family members against bruising and scalding.

7 Stash razors, blow-dryers, and other electric appliances out of younger family members' reach.

A drawer, under sink (with door safety latches) area - even a shelf - should be the designated storage space for these potentially dangerous items. Keep them unplugged when not in use.

8 Set your hot-water heater no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius).

This will both save on energy bills as well as help prevent scalding.

9 Close the toilet lid and the door after each use.

Even an inch of water is enough to drown a small child. So remind everyone in the home to close it - and put a lid on it - after nature calls.

10 Finally, remember there is no substitute for adult supervision.

Be diligent with your younger family members and ensure they're supervised in these rooms at all times.

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Beyond Bathroom & Kitchen: Return to Safe at Home

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