Tips by Room

Attic Tips:

• Seal gaps around roofing, attic spaces, windows, and doors to prevent rodents and insects from entering the house.
• Clean up clutter to prevent rodents and insects from finding places to nest.
• Find out whether your insulation could contain asbestos. If so, it is safest to leave the material alone. Consult an experienced contractor if it must be removed or disturbed.
• Ensure proper ventilation in the attic to prevent excessive moisture that can promote mold growth.

Basement/Utility Room Tips:

• Test your home for radon gas. If levels are above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency action level, install a radon mitigation system.
• Have gas appliances professionally installed, vented outside, and checked annually for carbon monoxide leaks.
• Install smoke alarms on every floor, including basements.
• Store pesticides and chemicals out of reach of children to prevent poisoning.
• Control rodents and insects by sealing holes and gaps in floors and walls to keep pests out, which also reduces pesticide use.
• Clean up clutter to prevent rodents and insects from finding places to nest.
• Keep water heater temperature set at 120°F to prevent scalds.
• Prevent fall injuries by installing stair rails.
• Keep cleaning supplies out of reach of children.

Bathroom Tips:

• Keep medicines out of reach of children.
• Dispose of expired medicines properly.
• Use medicines only as directed.
• Install grab bars in showers and tubs and next to toilets.
• Use nonslip mats in bathtubs and showers and on floors.
• Keep cleaning products out of reach of children.
• Check water temperature before putting young children into the bathtub.
• Supervise young children in bathtubs.
• Wash hands to prevent the spread of many illnesses.
• Ventilate the room to prevent mold and mildew.
• Know if your drinking water comes from a private well. If so, test it for contaminants.

Bedroom Tips:

• Place smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors near bedrooms. Place carbon monoxide detectors near bedrooms.
• Adopt a smoke-free policy in your home, especially if children are present.
• Get enough sleep to prevent illness.
• Practice positive parenting skills to ensure your child's physical and emotional needs are met. 
• A healthy pregnancy and selecting a safe crib increases your chances for a healthy baby.
• Use mattress and pillow covers to help prevent asthma attacks. 
• Use medicines only as directed.  
• Know both the benefits and the health-related risks of owning and caring for animals.
• Vacuum carpets frequently to remove allergens that trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions.
• Protect your children from lead poisoning by painting before old paint chips and peels in older homes.

Family/Living Room Tips:

• Improve air quality:
  • Do not allow smoking in your home, especially if children are present.
  • Vacuum carpets frequently to remove allergens that trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions.
• Talk with your children about healthy behaviors.
• Spend less time watching TV and more time getting physically active.
• Know both the benefits and the health-related risks of owning and caring for animals.
• Protect your children from lead poisoning by painting before old paint chips and peels in older homes.
• Protect your children from strangulation by moving blind cords out of reach.
• Pregnant women should not handle cat litter due to the risk of toxoplasmosis.

Garage Tips:

• Never run lawnmowers and other combustion devices inside the garage. Always operate a safe distance from windows and doors.
• Run cars and trucks only outside the garage and away from any openings into the house to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Store pesticides and other chemicals out of reach of children.
• Control rodents and insects by eliminating sources of food and water and sealing holes in walls to keep them out.

Kitchen Tips:

• Prevent fires by keeping flammable objects away from the stove.
• Keep cleaning products out of reach of children.
• Keep medications out of reach of children.
• Stock healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, for meals and snacks.
• Properly store and prepare foods.
• Wash your hands.
• Know if your drinking water comes from a private well. If so, test it for contaminants.
• Place smoke alarms in the kitchen.
• Help prevent choking episodes by watching children while they're eating.

Laundry Room Tips:

• Vent the clothes dryer outside the home to prevent mold and mildew.
• Keep cleaning supplies out of reach of children. (American Association of Poison Control Centers)
• Wash sheets and blankets in hot water weekly to reduce asthma triggers.

Pool Tips:

• Always watch young children while they are swimming or playing in or around water.
• Teach your children to swim.
• Teach your children about water and pool safety rules.
•  Protect against sunburn by using a sunscreen.
• Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Put a high fence all the way around your pool and use a self-closing or self-latching gate.
• Keep lifesaving equipment, including a life ring, pole, rope, and personal flotation devices (PFDs), by the pool. 
• Protect your family against recreational water illnesses by keeping a new pool and pool area.

Stairs Tips:

• Prevent fall injuries:
  • Install stair rails.
  • Have good lighting.
  • Keep stairs in good repair. (Home Safety Council)
  • Keep stairs free of clutter. (Home Safety Council)
    • Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs if young children live in or visit your home.
    • Make sure stair rails, treads, and risers are built according to code. (Stairway Manufacturers' Association)

Yard Tips:

• Know if you have a septic tank. If so, properly maintain it to prevent illness.
• Know if your drinking water comes from a private well. If so, test it for contaminants.
• Use sunscreen and insect repellent.
• Be physically active.
• Prevent falls:
  • Keep porches, stairs, walks, and driveways in good repair and well lit.
  • Install handrails on both sides of stairs.
  • Keep stairs clear of clutter.
• Prevent power tool injuries:
  • Keep children inside the house or well away when mowing or using power tools. 
  • Remove sticks, stones, and objects from the lawn before mowing.
  • Make sure chain saws have an anti-kickback chain that is well sharpened.
  • Wear proper eye and ear protection when using any power tool.
• Supervise children in play areas at all times.
• Make sure the surfaces on your child’s playground are safe.
• Remove litter, tall grass, and brush to eliminate rodent and wild animal nesting sites outside the home.
• Get rid of old tires and other containers that could collect water and allow mosquitoes to breed.
• Keep gutters clean so water does not collect and allow mosquitoes to breed.
• Make sure everyone uses the right protective equipment when playing sports or riding bicycles. 

Summary