May is National Trauma Awareness Month and this year’s theme is “Safe and Secure: Safety is a Choice, Prevention is Key”. Debbie Lyn Toomey, MSN, RN, Injury Prevention Coordinator at Tufts Medical Center, has five home safety reminders for you to consider.
- Decrease the chance of childhood poisoning by not storing household cleaning products in food containers. Keep all cleaning products, including hand sanitizer, away from the reach of young children.
- While the home can be a safe haven for some, it may not be for others. To report domestic abuse, call 9-1-1 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
- Prevent falls at home by reducing clutter on the floors. If possible, get rid of area rugs that may be a tripping hazard especially for aging adults.
- Keep firearms away out of the reach of anyone young or old. Be sure to keep these deadly weapons in a locked storage away from the reach of others.
- Drowning can happen in the bathroom, the backyard, or the beach. Monitor those under your care and avoid getting distracted by technology or talking with your back turned away from the water source.
To learn more ways to stay “Safe and Secure” at home, at work, and so much more, visit the American Trauma Society's website.
We at Tufts Medical Center wish you well!
