Health Tip: Home Accidents

(HealthDayNews) -- Accidents in the home cause nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits each year, according to the U.S. Home Safety Council. The most common causes of injury are falls, poisonings, fires, choking and drowning.

Here are suggestions to make your home safer:

• Make sure all stairs have a secure hand rail, and that stairways and walkways are well-lit and clutter-free.
• Install grab bars in bath and shower stalls.
• Post emergency numbers next to every phone.
• Store pesticides, cleaners, matches, lighters and household chemicals in locked cabinets.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, and test them monthly.
• Develop a family fire escape plan that has two exits for every room and a place to meet outside.
• Never leave the kitchen when something is cooking on the stove.
• If you have a pool, erect four-sided pool fencing with self-closing and self-latching gates.

-- Felicity Stone