NEW SURVEY FINDS MAJORITY OF AMERICAN FAMILILES UNDER ESTIMATE HOME DANGERS

Findings Reveal Urgent Need for Home Safety Education and Action among Nation’s Residents

Washington D.C. – A new survey reveals the vast majority of Americans report feeling the safest in their homes, yet home-injury statistics prove that homes across the nation aren’t as safe as many may think.

The findings are a result of a new Home Safety Council survey conducted to uncover American home safety practices and perceptions. The survey, which polled residents of major metropolitan areas, will debut during Home Safety Month in June as part of the Home Safety Council’s Hands on Home Safety campaign.

“Statistics show that home-injuries cause nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits each year,” said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. “Our survey shows that families feel safest within their home, however, they need to understand that there can be a great risk of injury within the home environment. To make the perception of safety at home a reality, families need to take simple steps to find and fix hazards before an injury occurs.”

Additional survey findings reveal that 97 percent of respondents are confident their home offers a safe environment, however more than half recognize there are potential home hazards that could put their family at risk. The most common reasons given for not taking action to increase the safety of their homes include: not having time (48 percent) and not knowing what actions to take (28 percent).

When asked about which area within the home concerns families the most, nearly one-third of adults (31%) consider the kitchen the most dangerous area of their home. The stairs are a close second with 27% indicating they are the most dangerous area. The bathroom (16%) and garage (14%) follow.

Hands on Home Safety

The Home Safety Council’s Hands on Home Safety campaign, launching during Home Safety Month in June, is a response to these survey findings and the overall toll home injuries take on Americans each year. The campaign serves as a national call to action for families take a hands-on approach to find and fix home hazards.

Ten Tips to a Safer Home

To make safety a priority year-round, follow the Home Safety Council’s 10 tips below to help protect your family from the leading causes of home-related injuries including falls, fires/burns and poisoning.

1. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them monthly.

2. Develop a fire escape plan for your family that identifies two exits out of every room and where to meet outside. Practice makes perfect – hold a family fire drill at least twice each year.

3. Always stay in the kitchen while food is cooking on the stove.

4. Keep all stairways, paths and walkways well lit.

5. Install grab bars in bath and shower stalls, and use a non-slip mat or adhesive safety strips inside bathtubs and showers.

6. Post emergency numbers next to every phone in your home, including the Poison Control Hotline number (1-800-222-1222).

7. Install child locks on all cabinets used to store potentially dangerous items.

8. Keep your water heater setting at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less.

9. Install four-sided fencing with self-locking and self-closing gates. Fencing should completely isolate the pool from the home and be at least five feet high.

10. Constantly supervise children in or near water such as pools, ponds, bathtubs and buckets.

To learn more about how to stay safe in and around your home, visit www.homesafetycouncil.org.

About Home Safety Council

The Home Safety Council (HSC) is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to preventing home related injuries that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year. Through national programs, partnerships and the support of volunteers, HSC educates people of all ages to be safer in and around their homes. The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in Washington, DC.