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Spring Cleaning Safety Tips

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Spring clean
safely this season with these tips from the
American Academy of
Pediatrics.
Around the House
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Choose
nontoxic products for your spring cleaning. For example, vinegar
and water is an inexpensive and effective window cleaning
solution.
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Time to move
the furniture? Place cribs, playpens and other furniture away
from the window and accessible drapery cords. Children can climb
up on furniture and fall out of the window or get strangled in
the cords.
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Make sure
window guards/bars are secure, and know how to open the window
in case of fire. Screens do no prevent window falls.
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Test all your
smoke alarms to ensure they are working. Change the batteries at
least once every year. Most smoke alarms also need "spring
cleaning" maintenance - check your manual.
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Develop and
practice a family fire escape plan in case of emergency.
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Consider
installing carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
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Make sure
small parts, plastic bags, small toys, balloons or any other
choking hazards are out of reach of young children, particularly
those less than 36 months of age.
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Check your
home for recalled and banned children's products. To find out
about recalled products, go to
http://www.recalls.gov
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Keep traffic
areas free of clutter, toys and rugs in order to avoid tripping
with your child in your arms.
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Doors that
lead to the basement should have a self-latching lock to prevent
children from falling down the stairs.
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Post the
Poison Help Line number (1-800-222-1222) and your pediatrician's
number on all phones.
Garage
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Discard toxic
and flammable materials you no longer need. Place remaining
materials high and out of reach. Keep toxic products in their
original containers.
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Check the
garage for flammable liquids such as gasoline, paint thinner,
paint and cleaners. Make sure safety caps are in place and they
are not near any heat sources. Keep only the amount you need to
use - don't stock up on extra cans.
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Tidy loose
papers, old rags, and debris in the garage that could contribute
to a fire.
- When washing
the car, clean the car safety seat as well - sticky snacks, crumbs,
and drinks can interfere with the crotch buckle and chest clip. Use
the instructions to find out how to remove the cover and clean these
parts. Take the time to weigh and measure your children to make sure
they still fit in the seat. Check that the shoulder straps are the
right height. Be sure the seat is installed securely.
Yard
- Choose
nontoxic fertilizers, insecticides and gardening supplies.
- Eliminate any
standing water to prevent drowning (buckets, drums, baby pools).
Remember that a young child can drown in only a few of inches of
water.
- Check the
play area for sharp objects, poisonous plants, and tripping hazards.
- Install
surfacing under playground equipment. Check play equipment for loose
or exposed hardware, broken parts, and stability. Go to
http://www.cpsc.gov
for more info.
- If you have a
pool or spa, it should be enclosed by a four-sided fence with a
self-closing and self-latching gate. Learn CPR and have a phone and
emergency equipment poolside.
- Children must
not be allowed to ride as passengers on lawn mowers or to be towed
behind mowers in carts or trailers. They should not be permitted to
play on or around the mower when it is in use or in storage.
- Most yard
cleanup tools (ladders, weed-eaters, pruning shears) are not safe
for children. If your child wants to help in the yard, he or she
should use tools designed for children, such as a small plastic
rake, child's shovel, or broom.
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