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Spring
Cleaning Safety Tips
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send these tips via e-mail
Spring clean safely
this season with these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Please feel free to use these tips in any print or broadcast story,
with appropriate attribution of source.
Around
the House
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Choose nontoxic products for your spring cleaning. For example, vinegar
and water is an inexpensive and effective window cleaning solution.
-
Time
to move the furniture? Place cribs, playpens and other furniture away
from the window and accessible drapery cords. Children can climb up
on furniture and fall out of the window or get strangled in the cords.
-
Make
sure window guards/bars are secure, and know how to open the window
in case of fire. Screens do no prevent window falls.
-
Test
all your smoke alarms to ensure they are working. Change the batteries
at least once every year. Most smoke alarms also need "spring
cleaning" maintenance - check your manual.
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Develop
and practice a family fire escape plan in case of emergency.
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Consider
installing carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
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Make
sure small parts, plastic bags, small toys, balloons or any other
choking hazards are out of reach of young children, particularly those
less than 36 months of age.
-
Check
your home for recalled and banned children's products. To find out
about recalled products, go to http://www.recalls.gov
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Keep
traffic areas free of clutter, toys and rugs in order to avoid tripping
with your child in your arms.
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Doors
that lead to the basement should have a self-latching lock to prevent
children from falling down the stairs.
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Post
the Poison Help Line number (1-800-222-1222) and your pediatrician's
number on all phones.
Garage
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Discard toxic and flammable materials you no longer need. Place remaining
materials high and out of reach. Keep toxic products in their original
containers.
-
Check
the garage for flammable liquids such as gasoline, paint thinner,
paint and cleaners. Make sure safety caps are in place and they are
not near any heat sources. Keep only the amount you need to use -
don't stock up on extra cans.
-
Tidy
loose papers, old rags, and debris in the garage that could contribute
to a fire.
- When washing the
car, clean the car safety seat as well - sticky snacks, crumbs, and
drinks can interfere with the crotch buckle and chest clip. Use the
instructions to find out how to remove the cover and clean these parts.
Take the time to weigh and measure your children to make sure they still
fit in the seat. Check that the shoulder straps are the right height.
Be sure the seat is installed securely.
Yard
- Choose nontoxic
fertilizers, insecticides and gardening supplies.
- Eliminate any standing
water to prevent drowning (buckets, drums, baby pools). Remember that
a young child can drown in only a few of inches of water.
- Check the play
area for sharp objects, poisonous plants, and tripping hazards.
- Install surfacing
under playground equipment. Check play equipment for loose or exposed
hardware, broken parts, and stability. Go to http://www.cpsc.gov
for more info.
- If you have a pool
or spa, it should be enclosed by a four-sided fence with a self-closing
and self-latching gate. Learn CPR and have a phone and emergency equipment
poolside.
- Children must not
be allowed to ride as passengers on lawn mowers or to be towed behind
mowers in carts or trailers. They should not be permitted to play on
or around the mower when it is in use or in storage.
- Most yard cleanup
tools (ladders, weed-eaters, pruning shears) are not safe for children.
If your child wants to help in the yard, he or she should use tools
designed for children, such as a small plastic rake, child's shovel,
or broom.
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