American Trauma Society Offers Tips For Safety In the Home

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WASHINGTON. May 1, 1996-- Hazards in the home account for over 26,000 deaths and approximately seven million injuries each year in the United States, according to the American Trauma Society. That's roughly one death every 20 minutes and one injury every five seconds.

People feel safe in their homes. They don't realize that disabling injuries in the home are more numerous than in the workplace, or in motor-vehicle crashes. Nor do they realize how many ways injuries can occur. But a tour of the house often reveals many hazards needing correction. Here is a short list of ways to reduce the possibility of injuries around the house:

STAIRS

• Avoid clutter, light area adequately, and secure any carpeting tightly.

KITCHEN

• Store household cleaners where tots cannot reach. Place appropriate fire extinguisher away from stove. Obtain a sturdy step stool for climbing. Keep sharp utensils out of tots' way. When cooking, make sure pot handles are turned away from the front of the stove.

BATHROOM

• Use non-skid rugs on floor and secure decals or non-skid mats in tub/shower. Make sure the thermostat on the hot water heater is set no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid scalds.

BEDROOM

• Keep lamp/light switch near bed and place night-light in path between bed and bathroom.

BASEMENT/GARAGE

• Make sure garage doors, whether electrically or manually operated, are in good working condition. Store flammable materials tightly closed and away from furnace/water heater.

NURSERY

• Buy cribs with slats 2 3/8"" apart or less and keep cribs/other furniture away from windows where tots could climb up and fall out.

Each year, the American Trauma Society conducts a campaign on injury prevention to alert Americans to trauma -- meaning injury -- and how to combat it. This ninth campaign highlights safety in the home.

The American Trauma Society (ATS) founded in 1968, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of trauma and the improvement of trauma care. As part of its efforts, the ATS develops education awareness/prevention programs which are conducted by institutions throughout the nation.

CONTACT: Ruth Pollack of the American Trauma Society, 301-420-4189, or fax, 301-420-0617