If you have grandchildren or expect youngsters visiting this holiday season, take a few minutes now to do a safety check around your home. Here are three zones to zero in on:
1. Store cleaning products securely.
While all cleaning products should be off the floor and stored in locked or out-of-reach cabinets, single-dose laundry detergent packs have proven to be especially attractive to young children. In 2013, over 10,000 unintentional exposures were reported to poison control centers. And ingestion is not the only problem. Even if a child doesn't actually bite into the pack, just handling it can be enough to make it start to dissolve. Once the detergent gets on children's hands, it's just one step away from their mouth and eyes.
2. Eliminate cords on blinds and shades.
Old window blinds with looped cords or chains, or even new blinds with shorter but tangled cords can be strangulation hazards for young children. All brands offer easy-to-install cordless styles. The Window Covering Safety Council and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have designated October as National Window Covering Safety Month and are encouraging all consumers to examine their window treatments and take action to eliminate unsafe cords. As an extra incentive, we are offering free cordless upgrades to our very own Good Housekeeping custom cellular and roller shades that are purchased by December 3, 2014. And our entire line of window coverings is backed by our Good Housekeeping Seal.
3. Anchor furniture upright.
Bookcases, armoires, and entertainment centers easily injure (and could even kill) climbing children that get trapped underneath if furniture tips over. To be safe, install drawer latches on all dresser and bureau drawers to prevent climbing, and attach big pieces directly into wall studs with anti-tip straps or brackets. Also, never store or place heavy items, like televisions, on top of cabinets. They can easily topple or be pulled off.
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