HOME SAFETY
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MAKING YOUR CHILD’ S BEDROOM SAFE
• Never use pillows or comforters in cribs for babies under 1 year old.
• Do not allow very young children to sleep on the upper level of a bunk bed; they may fall out.
• Make sure that there is no gap between the mattress and bed rail through which a child could slip.
• When a young child moves out of a crib, secure guard rails to the bed so that she cannot fall out.
• Make sure that there are no lamps within reach of a child’ s crib or bed. Lightbulbs get hot, and pulling on the wire could be dangerous.
• Install plastic covers over electrical outlets that are not in use.
• Use plug-in nightlights so that children can find their way if they need to get up in the night.
• Install removable window guards that allow windows to normally open only slightly for ventilation, but fully during an emergency.
Put nonslip mats under rugs
Avoid feather pillows and comforters as they can provoke allergies
MAKING YOUR ATTIC SAFE
Keep bedroom floors clear of clutter
• Never use freestanding stepladders to ascend into the attic space: they tend to be unstable and are likely to tip over. Instead, install an attic ladder with a hand rail.
• Install a light in the attic, preferably controlled from the landing below. Choose a lightswitch that indicates whether the attic light is on or off.
• Line the attic floor with floorboards, or attach veneered chipboard to the rafters, so that you can store items and move around safely.
• Before storing heavy items, have a carpenter check that the rafters are strong enough to support the extra weight.
• Protect ceilings underneath by distributing the weight of stored items. Put heavier boxes at the sides.
Use a pulldown ladder for safety
Store heavier items around the edges of the attic floor