[NFBOH-Cleveland] Safety Tips For You And Your Family

[Suzanne Turner]

Good Afternoon Ohio Members,

 

On behalf of the Senior Division, here are a few safety tips that everyone
should keep in mind.

 

Yes, you youngins too!

 

 

Home Safety Checklist:

 

 

ELECTRICAL CORDS & OUTLETS -

 

*         Check for frayed wires.  Repair or replace any loose/frayed wires

on all electrical devices.

 

*         Follow the path of cords.  No cords should run under rugs or

across doorways.

 

*         Baby-proof if you have any small children in your house!  Place

plastic safety covers over unused outlets.

 

*         Re-think extension cords.  Consider adding electrical outlets

where you currently rely on extension cords.

 

*         Check for a faulty electrical system.  Feel all outlets and plugs

to see if any are warm; if so, have an electrician check them.

 

*         Don't overload the system.  Make sure that you've followed

manufacturer's direction about maximum wattage of lamp bulbs and outlet

requirements for plugs.

 

*         Don't overload any one outlet.  Be certain that you have no more

than one high-wattage appliance plugged into a single outlet.

 

HOME HEATING - 

 

*          Examine the outside vents.  They should be properly sealed and

clear of obstruction to prevent carbon monoxide build-up in the house.

Re-check during and after a snowstorm.

 

*         Pick the right wood.  If you use a fireplace or a woodstove, stock

up on dry seasoned wood, which burns without producing a lot of creosote.  A

buildup of creosote (soot) in the chimney or flue can be dangerous, causing

chimney fires.

 

*         Hire a chimney sweep.  Have flues and chimneys inspected and

cleaned by a professional annually.

 

*         Inspect wood-burning stoves twice monthly.  Make sure the door

latch closes properly.  The room should have a working smoke detector.

Never let a child use the stove unattended.

 

*         Inspect water heaters annually.  The temperature should be set at

no higher than 120 degrees to prevent burns.  Never leave children along

near a water heater, and keep combustible and flammable materials far away

from it.

 

SMOKE & CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS -

 

*         Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors generously.

These should be on each floor of the house, covering all sleeping areas.

 

*         Test alarms monthly.  Replace any that don't work.  (In any case,

alarms should be replaced every ten years).

 

*         Replace batteries annually; or sooner, if the alarm chirps.

 

*         Clean all detectors.  Vacuum each grille.

 

*         Post the fire department's carbon-monoxide reporting emergency

number.  If it differs from 911, keep the number by the phone.

 

*         Demonstrate the sound of each detector.  Family members need to

know the difference.

 

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS -

 

*         Place extinguishers strategically.  Keep one in the kitchen and

one on every floor.  Learn how to use your extinguishers BEFORE it is

necessary!

 

*         Replace extinguishers when necessary.  Follow the schedule

suggested by the manufacturer, and always replace an extinguisher that

appears damaged.

 

*         Consider installing a sprinkler system; if your budget allows for

it.

 

HOME ESCAPE PLANS -

 

*         Create an escape plan with two exit routes in case of fire.

Practice it periodically with the entire family.  For details, see the

National Fire Protection Association's website -  <http://www.nfpa.org>
www.nfpa.org

< <http://www.nfpa.org> http://www.nfpa.org> .

 

*         Choose a meeting place.  Establish a plan for meeting up in case

of a local or national disaster.

 

*         If you live in a two-story house, buy a rescue ladder.  It should

attach to an upper level window casing to provide an alternate escape route.

 

HOMES WITH SMALL CHILDREN - 

 

*         Lock the cabinets.  Install safety latches and locks.

 

*         Install window guards on every window.  Make sure one window in

each room can be used as a fire exit.

 

*         Install safety gates.  Bar the top and bottom of stairs.

 

*         Lock up hazardous materials.  Place any poisonous or hazardous

products in locked cabinets.  Post the poison control hotline's number 1 800

222 1222 by every phone. 

 

*         Make sure all your medicines and vitamins have childproof caps.

Store them out of children's reach.

 

*         Stow away sharp knives, scissors, and cosmetic tools; as well as

matches, and plastic bags.  

 

*         Lock up any firearms.  Be sure they are unloaded and separate from

ammunition. 

 

*         Install padding on furniture with sharp edges.  Put doorknob

covers on entry doors so kids can't get out unattended.

 

*         If you have a pool, fence it in.  A pool should be enclosed with a

four-sided fence and a childproof gate. 

 

*         Teach children their address and how to dial 911.  As early as

possible, children need to know these fundamentals. 

 

BURGLARPROOFING - 

 

*         Install a sturdy deadbolt lock on every door to the outside.  This

should include the door into the house from the garage.

 

*         In any room with window bars, make sure at least one has a

quick-release mechanism.  

 

*         Install motion-sending floodlights in the backyard.

 

*         Keep your house looking "lived-in" when you are away for extended

periods of time.  Arrange for the lawn to be mowed, stop mail delivery,

install timers for selected lights, leave a car in the driveway, and

consider leaving drapes/shades open a bit.

 

*         Advertise prominently any home security system you have installed.

You might think about putting up signs even if you don't have a system.

 

*         Examine your landscaping.  Trim shrubs and trees near windows and

doors that provide hiding places for burglars, and prune limbs that serve as

ladders to upper windows.

 

*         Purchase a metal bar or a solid-wood dowel to insert in the

tracking of sliding glass doors.  This will prevent anyone from opening

them. 

 

*         Put your street number, not your name, on your mailbox.

 

*         Give a spare key to a trusted neighbor or nearby friend. Thieves

know all about fake rocks and other hide-a-key tricks.

 

OTHER -

 

*         Make sure house number is visible from the street.

 

*         Store all flammable liquids away from any flame source and keep

flammable objects away from the kitchen stove.

 

*         Plug a re-chargeable flashlight into a socket by your bed.  You'll

be able to light the way through smoke in a fire or signal to firefighters.

 

*         Install nonslip decals or a non-skid tub mat in your tub.

 

*         Put lights and light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs

to prevent falls in the dark. If this is not feasible, purchase

battery-operated stick up lights at tops and bottoms of stairs and be sure

to change batteries when they begin to go dim.

 

*         Paint the bottom basement step white so it's more visible.  You'll

be less likely to mistake it for the floor.

 

Suzanne Turner, President

NFB Ohio Senior Division

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