Always stay in the kitchen while cooking.

Make a fire escape map. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect.  

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home.  Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year.

Learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher.

Set your water heater at 120 degrees F or just below the medium setting to prevent burns. Install tub spouts and shower heads with anti-scald features if you cannot turn down your water heater.

If you smoke, smoke outside. Use deep ashtrays and put water in them before you empty them.

Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up your home’s central heating system once a year. They will repair leaks or other problems. Fireplaces and woodstoves should also be inspected by a professional each year. Clean as needed and fix problems.

Never use an oven or range to heat your home.

Never use a gas or charcoal grill inside your home or in a closed garage.

Portable electric generators must be used outside only. Never use them inside your home or garage. Keep them away from open windows. Follow usage directions closely.

Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn - including furniture, people, pets and curtains. Turn off space heaters before leaving a room or going to sleep.

Falls

It is easy to trip on small rugs. Tape them to the floor or do not use them at all.

Have a mat or non-slip strips in the tub and shower.

Have a bath mat with a non-skid bottom on the bathroom floor.

Have grab bars in the tub and shower.

Wipe up spills when they happen.

Put bright lights over all porches and walkways.

Always use a sturdy ladder when climbing. It is too dangerous to climb on other things.

Staying healthy and fit can help older loved ones prevent falls. Strengthening exercises can help. Gentle exercise such as Tai Chi can improve balance and strengthen muscles. This helps prevent falls.

Have regular check-ups with your eye doctor.

Hazardous Materials

Know the things in your home that are poisons.

Read the labels of the products you use in your home. If the label has the words “Caution”, “Warning”, “Poison” or “Danger”, store it away from food and drink.

Call the 1-800-222-1222 if someone takes poison. This number will connect you to emergency help in your area. Keep the number by every phone.

Medications

Keep all medicines in the bottle or box they came in. Make sure you save the label. It has information your doctor or pharmacist needs to help you in an emergency.

Keep a complete list of the medications you take in your wallet or your purse.

If you take care of someone who uses medications, keep track of what they are taking. Use a pill holder to remind you how much they have taken and write down when they took it.