better
HEALTH
g room
Toppling furniture causes many home accidents.
Fires can occur here, as well as in any area of the home.
kitchen
Cooking is the No. 1 cause of
home fires and burns in
America, according to the
U.S. Fire Administration.
Follow these tips to ward off
kitchen disasters.
KEEP A FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY
Sprinklers reduce risk of fire death
by 80 percent, but if you can’t install
them, an extinguisher’s your best
option. First Alert’s Tundra Fire
Extinguishing Spray is a w idely
available goof-proof, point-and-
press aerosol can that works on most
fires, including ones caused by
cooking oils.
STAND BY YOUR PAN
Hot oil easily
ignites, so keep a close eye on the
skillet w hen frying foods. In case of
fire, always call 9-1-1 before attempt-
ing to put it out. Slide a cookie sheet
over the pan to extinguish the
flames. Never add water to a grease
fire or try to move the pan.
ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES
Blouses
and sleeves can easily catch fire
w hen cooking. Wear oven gloves—
including silicone versions—to
prevent burns when reaching for hot
pots, pans, or baking sheets.
USE TRAVEL MUGS WITH LIDS
Boiling-hot liquids burn skin at any
age, and tipped mugs of hot coffee or
tea are among the most common
causes of burn injury. For safety’s
sake, Appy recommends using travel
mugs for hot beverages at home.
ANCHOR AWAY
Since children,
especially, may hoist themselves up
by grabbing onto the nearest piece
of furniture, including bookcases
and TVs, anchor it to walls.
SNUFF THE CANDLES
Use flam e-
less, battery-operated versions
such as Oxo Glow votive lights
and lanterns, Crate&Barrel
Flameless Candles, or Target’s
Flameless Partylites.
GET ALARMED
Install carbon
PREVENT POISONING
Many
unintentional poisonings are due to
accidental use of m edicine—taking
too much or combining drugs and
alcohol. Be sure to read all labels
and precautions before taking
drugs. Post the poison control
hotline near phones or program it
into your phones: 800/222-1222.
WATCH THE WATER
Prevent scalds
(children and older adults are most
susceptible) by setting the hot
water heater to 120°F or below.
Install an anti-scald device. The
Home Safety Council recommends
the HotStop tub spout or shower
head (
h2otstop.com
), available at
home improvement stores.
INSTALL GRAB BARS
Stepping into
slick showers and tubs can cause
monoxide detectors and smoke
alarms on every floor, as w ell as
inside and outside all bedrooms.
Test them as recommended by the
manufacturer. Because there are
two basic types of smoke alarms—
ionization, which detects fast-
m oving fires, and photoelectric for
smoldering fires—the U.S. Fire
Administration recommends
installing both. Or get a dual-sensor
alarm that uses both technologies.
anyone to slip. Designer grab bars
add safety and style to bathrooms.
Units by Moen and Kohler are
available at rem odeling centers.
CONDUCT FIRE DRILLS
Make sure
everyone knows where to go in case
of fire. Stash a fire escape ladder in
one or more upstairs bedrooms—
and be familiar w ith how to use it.
DON’T GET TRIPPED UP
Keep rugs
from skidding w ith nonstick
backings or doublesided tape,
improve lighting, and make sure
stairways have handrails. If you
have to ask if you really need that
ladder to change the lightbulb, the
answer’s “yes.”
STOP TYKE TUMBLES
Install gates
at the top and bottom of stairs and
keep windows latched.
1
S
1
F o r buying inform ation seep age
2 5 2
.
f t bed &bath, up & down
Falls and poisonings are leading causes of unintentional
home injuries. Many take place in the bath or bedroom.
2 3 6 JUNE 2010
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