Home Safety Month 2007


	Home Departments and Divisions Fire-EMS What We Do Public Education June is Home Safety Month! Home Safety Month 2007

	Home Safety Month 2007

June is Home Safety Month

Roanoke Fire-EMS and the Home Safety Council want to let you know that June is Home Safety Month. This year’s campaign theme is “Hands On Home Safety”.

Most Americans feel safest in their own home. However, unintentional injuries in the home result in nearly 21 million medical visits on average each year! Here are some safety steps to minimize your risk from potential injuries or even death.

Fires/Burns
· Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and in or near all bedrooms. Test them once a month and change the batteries twice a year!
· Plan a home fire drill and practice it with the entire family! Set up a safe meeting place outside of the house.
· Keep matches, candles and lighters out of the reach of children.
· Use safety covers in electrical outlets and anti-scald devices in faucets in home with young children.
Falls
· Make sure all porches, hallways and stairwells are well lit. Use the maximum safe wattage in light fixtures.
· Use a non-slip mat or install strips or decals in bathtubs and showers.
· Install grab bars in bath and shower stalls.
· Use night lights to prevent night time falls
· Use child safety gates to prevent children from falling down stairs.
Poisonings
· Keep medicines and household chemicals and cleaners up high, out of the reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet.
· Install a carbon monoxide detector near sleeping areas in the home.
· Have the poison control center number (1-800-222-1222) near every phone.

By keeping your home as safe as possible, you can reduce the chance that you or someone you love will sustain an injury.

Roanoke Fire-EMS encourages all Roanoke residents to practice fire safety steps every day. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility and fire prevention precautions DO make a difference!

The Fire Prevention Division of the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department offers fireplace safety and/ or home fire safety inspections as well as smoke detectors at no cost. City of Roanoke citizens can call 853-2795 to set up an appointment.

January 7, 2009