Safety Checklist for the Family Vacation

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Window Covering Safety Council via
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NEW YORK, July 31, 1997 -- Family vacations are a time to relax, but parents need to remain on the lookout for child safety hazards.

"It's all too easy to overlook basic child safety precautions when you're on vacation," says Peter Rush, executive director of the Window Covering Safety Council. "People are so eager to focus on the fun of the beach or the mountains that they forget to check and childproof their 'new home' first."

With America's peak vacation weeks just around the corner, the Council has issued a safety checklist for vacationing families staying in a rental cottage or cabin, and credits the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for many of the recommendations.

• Make sure the pull-cord loops on older window blinds and drapes have been eliminated or secured. Cut the loop of the pull cord just above the tassel to result in two cords, or keep the loop taut with a tie-down device that fastens the cord to the floor or wall.
  
  
• Hand-test the hot water temperature. A child can suffer third-degree burns in a matter of seconds if exposed to water above 120 degrees F. Most rental homes do not have anti-scald devices or renter access to the water heater thermostat. Hand-test the water upon arrival to avoid accidental scalding in the bath or shower.
  
  
• Inspect the rental crib to make certain it is sturdy, properly assembled and in good condition. Be sure the crib slats are close enough together to prevent a baby from becoming caught between them. Also, examine the crib carefully to verify that all support hardware is in place, and that there are no areas with peeling paint.
  
  
• Pay attention to the windows. Approximately 70 children die every year by falling through an open window. Avoid placing cribs and other low furniture near windows. With double-sash windows, remember to open them from the top, not the bottom, to let in fresh air.
  
  
• Examine bunk beds for proper installation and support of the mattresses. Bunk bed guardrails, like crib slats, need to be close enough together to avoid head entrapment. Carefully inspect the support slats, screws, bolts and welds on both wooden and metal bunk beds to make sure they are secure and in top condition. Avoid allowing children under the age of 6 to sleep in the top bunk.
  
  
• Place all household cleaners and other potentially dangerous chemicals in a locked cabinet or closet. Check kitchen, hall and bath cabinets and closets for cleaners, solvents and other potentially harmful chemicals and place them in a single, secure location out of the reach of children.
  
  
• Check for proper hand and guard rails along all stairways and decks, and learn the location of all exits. Have your family familiarize themselves with the vacation home's entrance and exit routes, door and stairway locations, and how to best evacuate in case of fire. Inspect stairways, patios, decks, porches and other areas for proper maintenance and safety.
  
  

Although some vacation homes are fully childproofed and meet the latest safety standards, the Council points out that many more contain older or second-hand items that may be in need of repair or lack current safety features. "Vacations should be a fun and enjoyable time for families," says Rush. "But parents need to set aside a few minutes for safety checks to make sure the family fun of a vacation doesn't turn to tragedy."

Since 1994, the Window Covering Safety Council -- a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings -- has sponsored a nationwide safety campaign to educate Americans on the potential child strangulation hazards of looped window cords.

CONTACT: Barbara Miller of Sumner Rider & Associates, 202-232-0464, for Window Covering Safety Council