SafetySeries

Vol 8- 2014

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Watch Out!Hazards in the Home

SafetySeries

Vol 8 - 2014

Mothballs easily keep mosquitoes at bay, and stop moths from eating our clothing. However, they are not always safe, especiallyif used improperly. Mothballs contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which are toxic chemicals. Both become a gas when exposed to air and cause that pungent mothball smell. These gases are irritating to the eyes and lungs and may cause headache, dizziness and nausea. Both chemicals are suspected of causing cancer.

The Danger

Keeping your home safe and hazard free is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family. We have included �ve surprising dangers that lurk in your home that you may never suspect. Watch out for mothballs, carbon monoxide, kitchen stoves, button batteries and slippery bathroom services to ensure you don’t fall victim to the deadly consequences of poisoning and unintentional injury.

1. Mothballs

Sadly, 4000 children per year are exposed to moth balls with over 600 of these cases requiring medical attention. Ingestion of one moth ball can be toxic to a young child, and even lethal. A key symptom is jaundice, which can progress to organ damage and death.

Safety Solution:Don’t use mothballs! Instead, use cedar chips. Cedar chips provide a safer and more natural alternative, and work just as well. If you do continue to use mothballs, choose a brand that contains paradichlorobenzene instead of naphthalene because it is less harmful. If clothing was stored with mothballs, wash and air out the clothing before allowing it to be worn by children.

SafetySeries

Vol 8 - 2014

2. Button Batteries

In recent years, the number of debilitating or fatal battery ingestions has dramatically increased. Each year in the United States, one child every three hours is treated in emergency rooms after swallowing button batteries. These disastrous outcomes occur when batteries get stuck in the esophagus, usually in small children.

Safety Solution:Keep devices with button batteries out of reach. Cover the controller with duct tape to prevent small children from accessing the battery. If you suspect your child has swallowed a button battery, go to the hospital immediately.

The Danger

Coin lithium batteries, also known as button batteries, are the perfect size for children to pick up and put in their mouth causing potential esophageal burns or death. They can be found in a wide variety ofeveryday devices, such as remote controls, singing greeting cards, digital scales, watches, hearing aids, thermometers, children’s toys, calculators, and key fobs.

3. Kitchen StovesTo date, there are approximately 15 to 20 million homes in the United States that have a kitchen stove that could tip over onto the person standing in front of it. Unfortunately, a kitchen stove tip-over is a commonly overlooked danger of all ranges. Since the 1980s, range manufacturers have constructed ranges out of lighter weight metals to reduce production costs, which contribute to their ability to easily tip over.

SafetySeries

Vol 8- 2014

4. Carbon MonoxideCarbon monoxide is known as the ‘Invisible Killer’ because it is a colorless, odorless gas that is one of the most deadly gasses humans can be exposed to. Carbon monoxide poisoning can result from faulty furnaces or other heating appliances, portable generators, water heaters, clothes dryers, or cars left running in garages.

The DangerAn improperly installed stove can fall forward if your child leans on the front of it or climbs on the oven door. Fifty three percent of stove tip over fatalities involved children aged one year to �ve years old. Toddlers have been critically injured when they tipped over a stove and were doused with a pot of scalding water.

Safety Solution:Make sure free-standing or slide-in stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets that secure the rear legs to the �oor. Manufacturers are required to provide these brackets on ranges made after 1991, but they require special installation procedures which homeowners and installers must adhere to. Keep the oven door closed when not using the oven, and never allow your child to lean on or climb on the range or oven door.

The DangerCarbon monoxide is a gas that you cannot see, taste or smell. In 2009, poison controlcenters reported more than 3,500 cases of carbon monoxide exposure in children 19and under. Every year carbon monoxide is responsible for the death of over 150 people in the Unites States.

SafetySeries

Vol 8 - 2014

5. The BathroomMost slips and falls that occur in the home happen in the smallest room in the house, the bathroom. The combinationof slick, hard surfaces with the presence of moisture make for hazardous conditions while bathing, showering, and using the toilet.

Falls cause more than one-third of all injuries resulting in an ER visit. About 235,000 people over age 15 visit emergency rooms because of injuries suffered in the bathroom, and almost 14 percent are hospitalized. More than a third of the injuries happen while bathing or showering. More than 14 percent occur while using the toilet.

Safety Solution:Make your shower safe: use non-slip rubber mats and install extra rails or grab bars if necessary. Also, make sure that the existing rails and other supports are in good condition and can support your weight.

The Danger

You can conquer the dangers in your home with our safety solutions to prevent poisoning and unintentional injury from mothballs, carbon monoxide, kitchen stoves, button batteries and hazards in the bathroom.

Safety Solution:The best defense against carbon monoxide is a carbon monoxide detector on every levelof your home placed near bedrooms. Additionally, do not use fuel burning appliances such as a grill, generator, or camping stove inside your home.

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Watch Out!Hazards in the Home

Mothballs: Contain toxic chemicals, which can be lethal to a yound child.

Button Batteries: Can cause potential esophageal burns or death, if swallowed.

Carbon Monoxide: One of the most deadly gasses caused by heating appliances.

Kitchen Stoves: Can fall forward and cause serious injury or death when leaned on.

The Bathroom: Where one third of injuries happen due to slips and falls.

Don’t use mothballs! Instead, use cedar chips. Cedar chips provide a safer, more natural alternative, and work just as well.

Keep devices with button batteries out of reach of children. If you suspect your child has swalloweda button battery, go to the hospital immediately.

Make sure anti-tip brackets secure the rear legs of your stove to the �oor and keep the oven door closed when not using it.

Install a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home and do not use fuel burning appliances such as a grill or generator inside your home.

Use non-slip rubber mats and install extra rails if necessary, and ensure the existing rails and other supports are in good condition.