Put yourself in your young child's place by crawling around your home on your hands and knees. Keep a sharp eye for places they could receive an electric shock, get fingers or head stuck, reach sharp or dangerous objects, get burned or scalded, reach toxic chemicals or toxic plants, tip over heavy objects onto themselves (e.g., TV stands, microwave carts, stereo components, aquariums, floor lamps, freestanding bookshelves, etc.). Secure all unstable objects or move them to rooms where your child cannot go. Bookshelves should be bolted to the walls or floor. Read the rest of this entry »

Did you know that you're twice as likely to die in a fire at home if you haven't got a smoke alarm.

A smoke alarm is the easiest way to alert you to the danger of fire, giving you precious time to escape. It's cheap, easy to get hold of and easy to fit. There's no excuse for not having one.

But many people who have smoke alarms are in danger too. The alarm could be in the wrong place, there may not be enough smoke alarms for the size of their home, they may not have checked their alarm recently or the batteries could be missing.

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