This article presents some home safety tips for children. Great West utilizes home safety tip in the reporting process.

1. CHILD SAFETY GUIDLINES
In the Bathroom
• Bathtubs and showers are equipped with grab bars and non-skid mats.
• Hot water temperature is set at 110-120 degrees F or lower.
• A light switch is located near the entrance to the bathroom.
• Small electrical appliances, such as hair dryers, shavers, curling irons or radios are never used near
water in sinks or tubs, and are unplugged when not in use.
• When bathing, children are always watched by an adult.
In the Kitchen
• Loose, flowing clothing is never worn during cooking.
• Extension cords and appliance cords are kept away from the sink and stove.
• Direct, even lighting is available over the stove, sink and counters - especially where food is sliced
and cut.
• For reaching high shelves, there is a stable stepstool with a handrail to grasp.
• During cooking, pot handles are turned toward the back of the stove. Hot liquids (coffee cups!) are
kept out of children's reach.
• Food treats or other items attractive to children are not kept over the stove.
• Knives and sharp objects are kept out of children's reach.
• Cleaning supplies are stored separately from food and kept beyond children's reach, or in cabinets
secured with child safety latches or locks.
• High chair is stable, with a wide base and a tray that locks securely.
In the Basement or Garage
• Work areas are well lighted.
• Lights can be turned on without walking through a dark area.
• Power tools have guards in place and are properly grounded.
• Containers of volatile liquids, such as paints and cleaning solvents, are tightly capped, stored away
from and never used near ignition sources, such as furnaces and water heaters. Gasoline is stored in
an approved container, and is never stored in the home.
• If there are small children in the house, latches control their access to the garage and basement,
which are areas where many dangerous items are often stored.
• Bicycles are kept in good repair, with adequate brakes and reflectors and a working light for
nighttime riding.

2. In the Bedroom
• Lamps or light switches are within the reach of each bed.
• Fire sources, such as ashtrays, smoking materials, heaters, hot plates, teapots, etc., are kept well
away from beds and bedding.
• No one in the house ever smokes in bed!
• Electric blankets are not covered or folded. (Tucking in an electric blanket can cause heat buildup
and start a fire.)
• There is a telephone next to the bed.
On the Stairs
• If there are small children in the house, toddler gates are used at the top and bottom of stairs. (Old-
fashioned, “accordion-style” gates are not used.)
• Stairs are well lighted, and there is a light switch at both the top and bottom of staircases.
• Sturdy handrails are fastened securely on both sides of the stairway, and these handrails run
continuously from the top to the bottom of the flight of stairs.
• Steps allow firm footing (no worn treads or loose carpeting), are even and of the same size and
height.
• The edges of the steps are easy to see.
• Nothing is ever stored on the stairway, even temporarily.
Fire Safety
• There is at least one smoke detector properly installed on every floor of the house.
• Smoke detectors are checked twice a year to be sure they are working properly.
• Special smoke detectors are installed for the hearing-impaired.
Matches and lighters are always out of children's reach.
• Small heaters and stoves are placed where they can't be tipped over, and are away from furnishings
and flammable materials, such as curtains and rugs.
• Space heaters that burn kerosene, LP gas or natural gas are used according to the manufacturer's
instructions for safe installation, operation and maintenance.
• Space heaters comply with local fire ordinances.
• Space heaters are inaccessible to small children.
• Towels, curtains and other flammable materials are kept away from space heaters, stoves and
fireplaces.
• Wood burning equipment is installed properly, inspected periodically, and inaccessible to small
children.
• Chimneys are inspected and cleaned every year.

3. • An emergency exit plan and an alternate route have been mapped out in case of fire, and practiced
by the whole family.
• Working fire extinguisher is in the house or car to handle small fires.
• All family members, including children, know how to “stop, drop and roll” to put out flames if clothes
catch fire.
• Matches, lighters and butts are always disposed of safely by persons who smoke. (Remember:
cigarette smoking is unhealthy for everyone in the house, including children!)
• “Tot Finder” or “People Protector” stickers are in windows of bedrooms occupied by children, the
elderly or the handicapped.
People who have small children in their homes (in residence or as visitors) should also check for
the following:
• Access to windows is blocked, and windows have secure screens or window guards.
• All stairs, protective walls, railings, porches and balconies are sturdy and in good repair.
• All plants are kept out of children's reach. (Some plants are very poisonous.)
• There are no loose paint chips (which toddlers might swallow) around the house. (Children who may
have been exposed to lead poisoning in this way should be checked by a doctor immediately.)
• Cleaners are purchased in child-resistant packaging whenever possible, and are not transferred to
other containers; non-food items, such as cleaners or bleach, are never stored in food containers.
• The number for a local poison control center is kept on or near the telephone.
• There is syrup of ipecac in the house - just in case it's needed to induce vomiting (ipecac should not
be used until a poison control center or physician has been consulted).
• Small items and foods that could choke a child are kept out of reach.
• Pocketbooks with potentially dangerous items, such as vitamins, birth control pills, cigarettes,
matches and lighters, jewelry and calculators (which contain easy-to-swallow, poisonous batteries)
are kept out of children's reach.
• Swimming pools in the neighborhood (including your pool) are fenced with self-latching gates and
are inaccessible to children.
• Swing sets and jungle gyms are securely anchored, have low-impact foundation materials - such as
pea gravel, sand, wood mulch or chips - and rounded edges. Children are always supervised when
using equipment.
• Children are buckled up (in age-appropriate seats, if necessary) during all auto travel - and you
always set a good example by buckling up, too!
Electrical Safety
Always be sure:
• All electrical and telephone cords are placed out of the flow of traffic.
• Cords do not run beneath furniture or rugs.
• Wiring is not nailed or stapled to walls or baseboards.
• Electrical cords are not frayed or cracked.
• Extension cords are never overloaded, and the wattage ratings of cords are correct for appliances.

4. • Ground Fault Interrupters (GFI) power strips are used for multiple outlets instead of extension cords.
• All outlets and switches have cover plates.
• If there are toddlers in the house, plastic “shock-stop” outlet plugs are in place in all unused
electrical outlets; electrical cords are out of the reach of small children.
• Light bulbs are appropriate sizes and types for the lamps and fixtures.
• All light fixtures have bulbs in them.
• Electrical space heaters are properly grounded, and are connected directly to wall outlets.
• If fuses are used, they are always the correct size for the circuit.
Firearm Safety
If you feel you must keep a gun in your home, take these precautions:
• Attend a firearm safety course.
• Keep the gun in a locked drawer or cabinet; keep the key out of children's reach.
• Store the gun unloaded or disassembled.
• Use a trigger lock.
• Keep ammunition in a separate, locked place.
Firearms in the home are more likely to injure a family member than an intruder. Safer ways to protect
your home are:
• Good lighting all around your home.
• Secure locks.
• Dogs.
• Neighborhood Watch Programs.
Personal Safety Tips for Children
Preventing Falls:
A simple fall can mean a major change in someone's life. Yet, small changes in homes and lifestyles might
prevent such falls.
Falls and accidents seldom "just happen." Many can be prevented.
To reduce the chances of falling:
• Have vision and hearing tested often.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about side effects of the drugs you are taking.
• If your walking is unsteady or if you sometimes feel dizzy, use a cane or walker to help stay
balanced.
• Wear rubber-soled and low-heeled shoes that fully support your feet.

5. • If you must carry something when going up or down a stairway, keep one hand on a handrail.
• Avoid taking chances. Do not walk on a freshly washed floor or stand on a chair or table to reach
something.
• Use nightlights in bathrooms and near the top of the stairs.
To make your home safe follow these recommendations:
Living areas should have:
• Good lighting and be free of clutter.
• Electrical cords and telephone wires placed away from walking paths.
• Rugs well secured to the floor.
• Tightly fastened handrails running the whole length and along both sides of all stairs.
• Movable furniture removed/secured.
Bathrooms should have:
• Grab bars placed both in and out of tubs, showers, and near toilets.
• Nonskid mats, abrasive stripes or carpet on all surfaces that may get wet.
• Nightlights.
• Water faucets that shut completely (water temp limited [hot]).
Bedrooms should have:
• Nightlights or light switches within reach of the bed.
• Carpet or area rugs only if firmly attached to the floor.
• Telephones that are easy to reach near the bed.
Medication Safety:
• Take all medications exactly at the time and in the quantity prescribed.
• Check with your physician when taking both prescription and over-the-counter medications.
• Do not share medications with other people.
• Do tell your physician all the medications you take on a regular basis.
• Do not save medications - discard unused or outdated medications. Do not hoard them.
• Tell your physician if you stop taking prescribed medication - this could lead to serious side effects.
• If you use nutritional or herbal supplements, be sure to notify your doctor.
• Be sure all medicines are clearly marked and stored in the containers they came in.

6. Safe Walking:
• Walk on the sidewalk. If you have to walk on a road that does not have sidewalks, walk facing
traffic.
• Cross at intersections. Most people are hit by cars when they cross at places other than
intersections.
• Look left, right and left again for traffic. Cross in marked crosswalks and obey the signal.
• See and be seen. Drivers need to see you to avoid you. Be seen at night - wear reflective
materials. Reflective tape is available at fabric, sporting goods and hardware stores.
• Do not let children play near traffic or cross the street by themselves. Children are small and
unpredictable and cannot judge vehicle distances and speeds.
• When children get older teach them to do three things before they cross the street:
1. Cross at a corner with a traffic light.
2. Stop at the curb.
3. Look left, right, then left again to make sure no cars are coming.