The month of June is designated each year as Home Safety Month, and it is a fitting time to take steps to prevent injuries in the home. Nearly 21 million medical visits are caused by each year by injuries incurred in home accidents; however, most Americans feel safest when at home. Each day in the United States, 55 deaths and another 58,000 injuries occur due to home accidents.

Many simple steps can be taken in just a few minutes to prevent home injuries:

Preventing Falls
Falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits among children and are the leading cause of injury among older adults. Several safety measures can prevent falls.
·        Install grab bars in the bathtub and shower.
·        Ensure that lighting in stairways and over steps is sufficiently bright.
·        Secure handrails on both sides of stairs and steps.
·        Avoid climbing on a stool or furniture. Always use a ladder.
·        If your home includes babies or toddlers, use baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs.

Preventing Poisoning
Accidental poisoning kills one out of four people who die in their homes each year. Poisons should be stored carefully in order to prevent medical emergencies.
·        Lock poisons, cleaners, medications and all dangerous chemicals in a place where children cannot reach them.
·        Keep all cleaners in their original containers, and do not mix them together.
·        Install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas.
·        Call the Poison Control Center at 1.800.222.1222 if someone ingests a poison.

Preventing Fires and Burns
·        Test your smoke alarms to ensure they are working and install sprinklers.
·        Hold fire drills with your family.
·        Stay by the stove when cooking.
·        If you smoke, smoke outside, use deep ashtrays, and put water in them before you empty them.
·        Only light candles when an adult is in the room. Blow the candle out if you leave the room or go to sleep.

Preventing Choking and Suffocation
·        Keep coins, latex balloons, and hard round foods, such as peanuts and hard candy, out of children’s reach.
·        Don’t put pillows, comforters, or toys in cribs.
·        Clip the loops in window cords and place them high where children cannot reach them.
·        Read the labels on toys, and be sure that your child is old enough to play with them.
·        Tell children to sit when they eat and to take small bites.

Preventing Accidents Around Water
·        Stay within an arm’s length of children in and around water. This includes the bathtub, pools, and spas—even buckets of water.
·        Put a fence all the way around your pool or spa.
·        Empty large buckets and wading pools after using them. Keep them upside down when you are not using them.
·        Make sure your children always swim with a buddy. No child or adult should swim alone.
·        Keep your hot water at 120 degrees or just below the medium setting to prevent burns.

Taking simple steps can prevent injuries, but your family should also have a plan in case of emergency. Gather key phone numbers and contact information and have a communication plan with your family in the event of emergency. For further information, visit the Home Safety Resource Center.

Rick Boucher is Congressman for the 9th District of Virginia, which includes the New River Valley. You can catch his Capitol Commentary regularly at newrivervoice.com.