Lead & Other Hazards

About Household Injury

Injury is the leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults. Yet many injuries are preventable; they do not occur at random. Accidents are events that happen completely by chance, with no planning or deliberate intent.

The Facts

Household injuries are commonly caused by:

• Falls
• Fires/burns
• Electrical hazards
• Slip and fall hazards
• Tripping hazards
• Chemical poisonings
• Choking hazards

The Risks

• 1.6 million older adults were treated in U.S. emergency departments for unintentional fall-related injuries and 388,000 of these patients were subsequently hospitalized
• 47 percent of households in the US with children under 5 years old had a pesticide stored in an unlocked cabinet within reach of a child
• 400,000 residential fires each year result in $7 billion in property damage and 3,000 deaths.

Steps you can take

Basic ways to keep your child safe:

• Presence and location of crib
• Choking hazards
• Accessibility/storage of toxic products
• Covers for radiators
• Cabinet locks
• Safety covers for electric outlets
• Stability of big appliances (stove, refrigerator, TV)

Basic Steps to Reduce Home Safety Hazards

• Install smoke detectors. One on each floor and outside of bedrooms. Check your local fire department to see about obtaining free smoke detectors.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors. One outside of bedrooms and one on the main level of the house.
• Store poisonous chemicals in a child-proof cabinet (safety latches). Anything with Caution, Warning, or Danger on the label needs to be away from your children.
• Store weapons and ammunition separately. Ammunition should be locked up so that kids cannot access.
• Prevent slips, trips and falls by keeping floors in repair and clear of anything that may cause tripping. Install senior fall prevention measures where appropriate.