For more information or to schedule a presentation contact Carleena Angwin, Public Health Educator
(423) 209-8203, carleenaa@hamiltontn.gov 

US Consumer Product Safety Commission; Childproofing Your Home
Home Safety Council Kid Zone
CDC Safety Website for Youth
NYC Safety Commission for Children-Safety Video

Falls Among Older Adults

How can older adults prevent falls? 
1. Older adults can take several steps to protect their independence and reduce their risk of falling
2. Exercise regularly; exercise programs such as Tai Chi increase strength and improve balance
3. Review medications, both prescription and over-the counter, to reduce side effects
4. Have eye examinations at least once a year Improve lighting in their home
5. Reduce hazards in their home that could lead to falls

Concerned about falls? Learn more about A Matter of Balance, view brochure
View A Matter of Balance Coach Manual

Additional resources:
CDC
Fall Prevention Center of Excellence
Home Safety Council
Administration on Aging
American Association of Retired Persons
National Council on Aging
National Safety Council

Fire Deaths and Injuries
Deaths from fires and burns are the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States (CDC 2006) and the third   leading cause of fatal home injury (Runyan 2004).

The US mortality rate from fires ranks seventh among the 25 developed countries for which statistics are available (International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics 2007). Although the number of fatalities and injuries caused by residential fires has declined gradually over the past several decades, many residential fire-related deaths remain preventable and continue to pose a significant public health problem.

 Did you know? Those most at risk of fire-related injuries and deaths include:

• Children 4 and under 
• Older Adults ages 65 and older 
• African Americans and Native Americans 
• Low income households 
• Persons living in rural areas
• Persons living in manufactured homes or substandard housing 

Risk Factors

• Approximately 4 out of 10 home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms 
• Most residential fires occur during the winter months
• Alcohol use contributes to an estimated 40% of residential fire deaths

Prevention Tips

• Never leave food unattended on a stove.
• Keep cooking areas free of flammable objects (such as potholders and towels)
• Avoid wearing clothes with long, loose-fitting sleeves when cooking
• Never smoke in bed or leave burning cigarettes unattended
• Do not empty smoldering ashes in a trash can, and keep ashtrays away from upholstered furniture and curtains
• Never place portable space heaters near flammable materials (such as drapes or bedding)
• Keep all matches and lighters out of reach of children; store them up high, preferably in a locked cabinet
• Install smoke alarms on every floor of the home, including the basement, and particularly near rooms in which people sleep
• Use long-life smoke alarms with lithium-powered batteries and hush buttons, which allow persons to stop false alarms quickly
• If long-life alarms are not available, use regular alarms, and replace the batteries annually
• Test all smoke alarms every month to ensure they work properly
• Make a family fire escape plan and practice it every 6 months. In the plan, describe at least two different ways each family member can escape every room, and designate a safe place in front of the home for family members to meet after escaping a fire
• If possible, install or retrofit fire sprinklers in your home

Additional resources:
CDC
SafeKids.org
US Consumer Producty Safety Commission
US Fire Administration

Keep Young Children Safe from Poisoning

• Put the poison control number, 1-800-222-1222, on or near every home telephone and save it on your cell phone 
• Keep all drugs in medicine cabinets or other childproof cabinets that young children cannot reach
• Avoid taking medicine in front of children because they often copy adults
• Do not call medicine “candy"
• Be aware of any legal or illegal drugs that guests may bring into your home 
• When you take medicines yourself, do not put your next dose on the counter or table where children can reach them
• Never leave children alone with household products or drugs 
• Do not leave household products out after using them, return the products to a childproof cabinet
• Identify poisonous plants in your house and yard and place them out of reach of children or remove them

Try to have this information ready for the emergency responders:

·         the victim’s age and weight

·         the container or bottle of the poison, if available 

·         the time of the poison exposure

·         the address where the poisoning occurred

·         stay on the phone and follow the instructions from the emergency operator or poison control center

What to do if a poisoning occurs:

·         Remain calm

·         Call 911 if you have a poison emergency and the victim has collapsed or is not breathing

·         If the victim is awake and alert, dial 1-800-222-1222

Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in Chattanooga - Every 2^nd Saturday from 8-12 at the Wood/Brush Collection Center at 3925 N. Hawthorne Street.

Tennessee LEAP (Lead Elimination Action Program) has programs available to assist Tennessee homeowners and landlords with identification and removal of lead hazards in homes built before 1978. 

Call 1-800-686-5327 or e-mail: tnleap@mtsu.edu

Additional resources:
Elderly Poison Prevention
Environmental Protection Agency; Play It Safe: Reduce Your Child's Chances of Pesticide Poisoning
Substance Abuse and Mental Heath Services Administration

Drowning Prevention

Every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. Drowning is the sixth leading cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages, and the second leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14 years.

How can drowning be prevented?

·       Supervise children when in or around the water and stay close enough to reach small children

·       Always swim with a buddy 

·       Learn to swim

·       Learn CPR

·       Do not use air-filled or foam toys in place of life jackets. These toys are not designed to keep swimmers safe.

·       Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, water skiing or while supervising children.

·       Install a four-sided pool fence that completely separates the pool area. Consider additional barriers such as automatic door locks or alarms to prevent access or notify you if someone enters the pool area.

(Source: CDC May 16, 2011)

Additional Resources:

CDC  http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Water-Safety/

Safe Kids: http://safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/drowning/

Home Safety Council: http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/AboutUs/Programs/pr_wr_w007.asp

Agencies that offer swimming lessons or CPR certification in the area:

Swimming Lessons

·       Chattanooga Parks and Recreation 697-1321

·       North River Family Branch YMCA 877-3517

·       Hamilton Branch YMCA 899-1721

·       YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga 265-8834

·       Choo Choo Diving and Aquatic Center 899-1008

CPR Certification

·       American Heart Association 1-800-AHA-USA1

·       Chattanooga Red Cross 265-3455

• About 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year
• Almost one in five of those who are bitten, a total of 885,000, require medical attention for dog bite-related injuries

Before you bring a dog into your household:

• Consult with a professional to learn what breeds of dogs are the best fit for your family
• Dogs with histories of aggression are not suitable for households with children
• Be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog
• If a child seems frightened by dogs, wait before bringing a dog into your household
• Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it. Use caution when bringing a dog into a household with an infant or toddler

If you decide to bring a dog into your home:

• Spay/neuter your dog (this often reduces aggressive tendencies)
• Never leave infants or young children alone with a dog
• Don’t play aggressive games with your dog (e.g., wrestling)
• Properly socialize and train any dog entering your household, teach the dog submissive behaviors
• Immediately seek professional advice if the dog develops aggressive or undesirable behaviors

Additional resources:
CDC
American Veterinary Medical Association
Be A Tree Program