Check your home for hidden dangers

Contributed by David McCarthy, emergency preparedness coordinator for Chandler Regional Medical Center and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.

Question: My husband and children are home more often now that it is summer. What can I do to help prevent accidents from occurring around the house?

Answer: The home seems like a safe place, but there are hidden dangers that are often overlooked. June is recognized as National Safety Month and the National Safety Council is focusing on a variety of ways to educate the public to reduce the leading safety and health risks.

Some tips:

• Keep poisons out of reach. The most prevalent cause of accidental death in your home is inadvertent poisoning. It's important to keep harmful liquids out of the reach of children. Keep potential poisons in their original packaging. Keep food items and chemical products in separate areas.

If you suspect your child has ingested a poisonous substance, call the Poison Help hotline immediately at 800-222-1222, or dial 911.

• Falls are more common than you might think. Consider applying non-skid floor coatings and slip-resistant mats where falls are likely.
• Don't rush household chores. Know how to properly use a tool or utensil. If you're working with a knife or sharp tool and it falls, let it drop. Trying to catch it may result in cuts. Unplug electrical items before working on them.

• Fires that occur in the home may be caused by overheated or overloaded electrical wires, unattended barbecues or unattended cooking. It's important to turn pot handles so children can't pull them down. Keep fire extinguishers in your kitchen and garage, and have smoke detectors installed in every room. .

More information: www.nsc.org.