JUNE IS NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH!

It happens in a flash: a trip on the edge of a scatter rug, the contents of a saucepan catches fire when you look away, a medication mix-up in the dark. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), every year more than 120,000 people die from unintentional injuries and almost 30 million people are injured seriously enough to go to the emergency room. THESE TIPS CAN PREVENT UNINTENTIONAL INJURIES AT HOME:

• Identify - and fix - potential tripping hazards in your home like poor lighting, uneven surfaces or loose scatter rugs and electrical cords.
• Make sure your home has working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Check the batteries twice a year. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Set your water heater below 120°F to avoid potential burns and to save energy.
• If you have young children, cover all electrical outlets. Store all cleaning supplies and medicines in cabinets that can be locked or that have been child-proofed.
• Read the label on all household chemicals, cleaning products, pesticides and weed killers. Follow directions for safe use and storage.
• Take all prescription medications as prescribed. Use over-the-counter medications, natural remedies and supplements with care - talk with your pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Store medicines away from children. Discard unwanted medicines in the trash, not down the toilet or sink.
• Program emergency numbers into your cell phone and house phone.
• Have an evacuation plan in case of emergencies.