Household Injury

Falls

• Supervise young children at all times around fall hazards such as stairs, and use home safety devices such as window guards, stair gates, and guard rails.
• Remove home hazards such as broken or uneven steps, throw rugs or clutter than can be tripped over.
• Install handrails on stairs.
• For older adults, install grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet. Install additional lights or brighter light bulbs to ensure your home is well lit. Speak to your doctor about falls risk as there are certain medications and health conditions (i.e. vision problems, foot pain, Vitamin D deficiencies, lower body weakness) that could be addressed to minimize fall risk factors. Strength and balance exercises, like Tai Chi, can also reduce your risk of falling.

 Poisoning

• Store medicine and poisonous chemicals in child-proof cabinets with safety latches. Anything with a Caution, Warning, or Danger label should be kept away from children.
• Keep medicines and other toxic products in their original packaging and out of reach of children.
• Keep the nationwide poison control center number accessible- 1-800-222-1222 -and on or near every telephone in your home. If you think your child has been poisoned but they are awake and alert, call poison control. If you child has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911.
• Follow label directions and read all warnings when taking medication or giving medication to children.
• Dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins. Either turn them in at a local take-back event or mix them with coffee grounds or kitty litter and throw them away.