Keeping danger away!

Bedroom
Many accidents that occur in the bedroom can be avoided. The majority involve poisoning, falls and fires. The following tips can be useful:

• Keep all poisons away from the reach of children. Poisons in the bedroom include medication, cleaning agents and personal care-products. Children are inquisitive and can ingest personal care-products by accident. All medication should be clearly labelled and locked up.
• Avoid smoking in the bedroom, especially at night. A lit cigarette can easily start a fire.
• Make sure you switch off all electrical appliances before sleeping. If you tend to doze while watching television, put the gadget on sleep mode, and it will go off on its own.
• Make sure that the bulb in your bedside lamp is within the wattage range of the shade. If the bulb is too powerful, it can overheat the lampshade and cause a fire.
• Avoid clutter on the bedroom floor. This can cause falls if you walk around in the dark. Similarly, keep a small torch by your bedside fitted with long life batteries. This is useful especially during blackouts.
• Consider having a telephone by your bedside at all times. This is useful should you be too ill to walk around for help.
• Never go to bed with a lit jiko in your bedroom. It produces carbon monoxide fumes, which are lethal.

Washrooms
These commonly used areas are prone to accidents as well. This is because of the amount of human traffic, coupled with the slipperiness that comes with water being involved. To keep accidents at bay observe the following:

• It is prudent to place a rubber mat or bath mat in the bath and on the shower floor to avoid falls, as these surfaces tend to be slippery. Make sure the mat has an effective non-slip backing.
• Fit a handle on the wall above your bath. It is especially useful for elderly people, or for anyone who might feel dizzy while getting out of a hot bath.
• Instant shower units should be fitted with a thermostat to control the temperature of the water and protect from scalding.
• All electrical appliances in the bathroom, including lights, must be controlled either by switches outside the bathroom, or a cord operated ceiling switch. This makes it impossible to touch water and the switch simultaneously, without getting electrocuted.
• Mop up any water spills immediately to avoid slips and falls.
• Never leave children unattended in the bath, regardless of the amount of water in it. If you must leave, cover them with a towel and carry them with you.
• When running water for a bath, run cold water first, and then gradually add the hot water. Always test the temperature of the water with your elbow before placing your child in it, or getting in yourself. The hot water tap should be fitted with a special lock, to avoid children opening it arid scalding themselves.
• If there is a bolt on the inside of your toilet or bathroom door, it should be fitted high enough, so that young children do not lock themselves in. Keys should be removed for the same reason.
• Dispose off old medicines carefully by flushing them down the toilet. The bottles should also be thoroughly cleaned and the cleaning water flushed away as well.
• Throwing them away with the rubbish makes them accessible to the children.
• Ensure that the toilet doors are closed at all times. It is prudent to invest in a seat clamp. This prevents toddlers from opening the toilet seat and playing with the water.

END: PG 23 /50