Childproofing and Preventing Household Accidents

Accidents That Can Happen at Home

The common causes of home-injury deaths are fire and burns, suffocation, drowning, choking, falls, poisoning, and firearms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most home accidents happen where there's:

• water: in the bathroom, kitchen, swimming pools, or hot tubs
• heat or flames: in the kitchen or at a barbecue grill
• toxic substances: under the kitchen sink, in the medicine cabinet, in the garage or garden shed, or even in a purse or other place where medications are stored
• potential for a fall: on stairs, slippery floors, from high windows, or from tipping furniture

You can take precautions to make these places safer, but the most important thing to remember is to watch young kids at all times. Even if your home is childproofed, it only takes an instant for babies and toddlers to fall, run over to a hot stove, or put the wrong thing in their mouths. Your watchfulness is your child's best defense.

However, accidents will still happen, so it's important to be prepared. If you're expecting a baby or have kids, it's wise to:

1. Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the age-appropriate Heimlich maneuver.
2. Keep the following near the phone (for yourself and caregivers):
   • poison-control number: 1-800-222-1222
   • doctor's number
   • parents' work and cell phone numbers
   • neighbor's or nearby relative's number (if you need someone to watch other kids in case of an emergency)
3. Make a first-aid kit and keep emergency instructions inside.
4. Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Check out these Household Safety articles for more information:

• Preventing Injuries From Falling, Climbing, and Grabbing
• Preventing Burns, Shocks, and Fires
• Preventing Strangulation and Entrapment
• Preventing Suffocation
• Preventing Choking
• Preventing Poisoning
• Preventing Drowning
• Preventing Cuts
• Preventing Injuries in the Crib
• Preventing Injuries From Firearms

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: February 2010