Thursday, March 18, 2010

Prevent Bedroom Accidents

Yes, accidents do happen in the bedroom--especially those occupied by children and the elderly. Here are some quick tips on make sure your bedroom is safe, the kids' quarters are childproof and the grandparents' bedroom is accident-proof.


Instructions


1. Make sure all of the bedroom furniture pieces are stable. Tall shelves should be anchored to the wall to prevent tipping. Bed frames must be correctly assembled to prevent accidental breakage. Side tables must be strong and stable enough to hold lamps, bedside reading and other accessories. Some decorative nightstands and side tables are too flimsy for heavy loads.


2. Tuck away phone cords, electrical cords and blind cords. When you have to get up in the middle of the night, you don't want to trip on wiring lying on the floor.








3. Lay area rugs on smooth and slippery floors. When getting out of bed or coming in from the bathroom, area rugs help prevent slips and falls. Be sure they have non-skid backing to keep them in place.


4. Always keep traffic areas clutter-free.


5. Childproof the bedrooms used by infants and toddlers. Install corner guards on tables, cabinets and footboards. Install covers on all electrical outlets. Refrain from using fixtures that need to be plugged into electrical outlets that can be reached by young children. Install child safety locks on windows, especially in rooms situated on upper floors. Keep medications and cleaning chemicals out of the reach of children.








6. Secure bedrooms used by the infirm or elderly. Install handlebars beside the bed or arrange furniture to provide support for middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom.

Tags: area rugs, bedrooms used, electrical outlets