Injury Prevention

Most people expect their homes to be safe havens. This expectation can lead many to a false sense of security. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among U.S. children and young adults ages 1-24, despite the fact that these injuries are often both preventable and predictable.

Burns from fire, poisoning, suffocation, and falls are often major causes of unintentional deaths. However, by becoming informed and making changes around the house you can prevent these injuries to yourself and to others. Listed below are facts about and prevention tips for specific kinds of injuries:

Fire

Here are some things you should know about fires to avoid unintentional deaths due to burns or other fire-related injuries:

  • Most fire deaths are preventable
  • Having working smoke alarms on every floor of your home doubles your chance of surviving a fire

In order to keep you and your family safe, follow these simple rules:

  • Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every floor of your home
  • Call the Baltimore Fire Department’s Smoke Detector Hotline at (410) 396-7283 or call Baltimore City 311 to request free smoke alarms for your home. They will install them for you.
  • Test your smoke alarms once a month
  • Make sure you change the batteries twice each year during Daylight Savings Time
  • Create and practice a fire escape plan with your family
  • We'd prefer for your health that you didn't smoke, but if you do, only smoke outdoors and always extinguish smoking materials in large deep ashtrays that are on a sturdy surface (like a table)
  • Keep matches, lighters, and ashtrays out of the reach of children
  • Never leave a stove unattended while cooking. Keep potholders, curtains, etc. at least 3 feet away from burners
  • Use space heaters in well-ventilated areas and at least 3 feet away from anything that could burn
  • Use flameless candles or make sure an adult is present at all times around lit candles
  • Remember to double-check that you’ve turned off all stove burners, ovens, space heaters, and candles when you leave a room or go to bed
  • If the smoke alarm sounds, GET OUT AND STAY OUT

To learn more about fires in Baltimore and fire safety, please visit the Baltimore City Fire Department.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide, or CO, is considered a silent killer. Each year, many Baltimore City residents are at risk for CO poisoning. By learning more about CO and the dangers of CO, you can help prevent CO poisoning.

What You Should Know About CO

  • CO is a gas that cannot be seen or smelled
  • CO can build up in your house and be deadly
  • Any fuel-burning appliance (stove, furnace, oven) that is not vented can be a source of CO
  • In order to keep you and your family safe from CO, follow these simple rules:
    • Install a CO detector
    • Never use your stove or oven to heat your home
    • Keep your range clean and free of build-up
    • If your CO alarm goes off, get out and stay out. Call 911 to have your home's CO level checked by the Fire Department. Please Note: In Baltimore City, a carbon monoxide detector must be installed outside every sleeping area in all dwellings with fuel-burning appliances.
  • A "dwelling" includes all rental units, houses, homeless shelters, hotels, and other places where people sleep.
  • In rental units, it is the landlord's responsibility to install a carbon monoxide detector, but the resident's responsibility to maintain it.
  • More information on carbon monoxide is available on the Baltimore City Fire Department website.
  • Click here to download the full list of building and fire codes (pdf).

If you are having trouble paying your heat and electric bills, the following organizations can help:

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Safe Sleep

Unsafe sleep environments are a major cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS. Unsafe sleep environments include the following:

  • Placing a baby on his / her stomach or side when the baby is not yet rolling over on their own
  • Baby sleeping in bed with parents, siblings, etc.
  • Soft bedding, toys, or soft objects under or around the infant during sleep
  • Lack of crib or improper use of crib
  • Smoking in the house

In order to help prevent SIDS, remember the ABCs of Safe Sleep:

  • Always have baby sleep alone
  • Always put baby to sleep on their back
  • Always put baby to sleep in a crib

For more information about SIDS or safe sleep, please contact the Maternal and Infant Health Unit of the Health Department at (410) 396-3769 or the Healthy Homes and Communities Home Visiting Program at 443-984-2460.

To Prevent Falls

  • Use nightlights to illuminate hallways and bright lights over staircases and porchways
  • Have handrails on both sides of the stairs and steps
  • Secure trip hazards such as loose tiles, carpeting, or floor stripping. Avoid rugs that can’t be kept in place
  • Use a ladder or step-ladder for climbing instead of a stool, chair, or other pieces of furniture
  • Place grab bars in the tub and shower
  • Secure baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs and window guards on second-level windows if babies or toddlers are present

Poisoning Prevention

  • Lock poisons, cleaners, medicines, perfumes, and all dangerous items away and out of the reach of children
  • Keep all cleaners in their original containers. Do not mix them together.
  • Use medications carefully, and follow directions as indicated. Use child restraint lids.
  • Keep the Poison Control Center number posted near all telephones, 1-800-222-1222

Contact

Healthy Homes & Communities
7 East Redwood Street, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 443-984-2460


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