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Toy Safety

As you search for the perfect gifts for your little ones this holiday season, make sure you inspect toys for safety. Start by reading the labels on all stuffed toys, games and dolls. Look for the mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory like UL or ETL, which means the toy has been tested for safety. Also, make sure your child is the right age to play with the toy. Click here to learn more tips on how to choose safe toys for your kids.

Cooking Safety for the Holiday Season

Whether you are cooking the turkey or baking the pumpkin pie, keep safety top of mind in the kitchen this holiday season. Cooking is the number one cause of home fires, but the Home Safety Council offers simple cooking and fire safety tips to help prevent a holiday mishap. Remember to always stay near the stove when cooking and keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from the stove. Click here for more cooking safety tips.

Babysitter Safety

As your holiday calendar starts to fill up, make sure you arrange for a trusted babysitter to keep your children safe while you enjoy the festivities. Choose a babysitter recommended by a trusted source such as a relative or a close friend. Also, request references for the babysitter you are considering and speak to them before leaving your children. Click here to learn more about how to choose a babysitter and keep your children safe while you are away.

Winter Safety

It’s getting cold outside and families are starting to turn on their fireplaces and space heaters to stay warm. Before you turn up the heat, make sure to follow the safety and maintenance instructions for all home heating appliances to prevent fire and CO dangers. Have a trained professional inspect and clean your central heating system and get a certified chimney sweep to inspect and clean your fireplace and chimney connectors. Click here for tips to help you heat your home safely all winter.

Halloween Safety Reminders

Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or taking your children out trick-or-treating, plan ahead with safety in mind. Purchase a costume for your child that is less likely to catch fire. Read the label and look for the words “flame retardant” or “flame resistant.” To protect against falls, make sure all masks have large eye holes so your kids can see through them properly. Also, be sure the costume fits your child and is not too long. Click here for more simple steps you can take to keep your family safe from common Halloween injuries.

Garage Safety

Don’t forget that the garage is part of your home. This month, work with your family to clean-out and organize your garage to make it safer. Create additional space in your garage and reduce tripping hazards by installing shelves or securely hanging items from the walls or ceilings. To reduce the risk of poisonings, identify poisons in your garage and be sure they are securely locked in high cabinets and out of reach of children. Click here to learn how to reduce the risk of injuries in your garage with safety tips from the Home Safety Council.

CO Safety

Whether you plan to use a wood burning stove or enjoy the warmth of a cozy fireplace this winter, fuel burning appliances require careful use and proper maintenance to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is known as the "silent killer" because you cannot see, smell or taste it. Install CO alarms to help alert your family if any of your home heating equipment is releasing too much CO and putting your family in danger. Click here to learn more about protecting your family from this deadly gas.

Practice Fire Safety This October

A fire can grow from first spark to full blaze in just three minutes, leaving families little time to escape. During Fire Safety Month this October, take time to prepare for a home fire by developing an emergency escape plan and practicing fire safety with your family. Click here to learn more.

Hot Water Safety

Hot water, other liquids, steam and heating equipment can cause serious burns. But there are steps you can take to keep your family safe from burns. Start by setting your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have young children, teach them to stay away from the stove by putting tape on the floor so they see there is a “no-kid-zone” in that part of the kitchen. If you or your child is burned, put the burned-area under cool running water and keep it there three minutes or longer. Do not put ice, butter or lotion on the burn, since this will only make the burn worse. Click here to learn more about how to prevent burns at home.

Baby Safety Month

September is Baby Safety Month! Now is the perfect time for new and expecting parents to make improvements at home to help their babies grow up safely. Visit the Home Safety Council's Baby and Toddlers section of the website to learn more about how to protect your little ones at home.

Back to School Safety

With school back in session, now is the time to make sure your home is a safe place for your kids to come home to after a long day of learning. Taking simple steps, such as posting emergency contact numbers next to every phone and developing a communications plan in case of an emergency, can keep your family safe throughout the school year. Click here to learn more about how to keep your kids safe.

Grilling Safety

With Labor Day around the corner, many families will host their last barbeque of the summer. As you set-up for the party, take time to review HSC’s grilling safety tips to prevent your home from being one of the thousands that catch fire because of the misplacement or misuse of grills. First, place your grill is at least 10 feet from all other objects, including your house and any shrubs or bushes. If you have a gas grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line to be sure it works properly and does not leak. Click here to review more grilling safety tips.

Prevent Airway Obstruction

Here is a sad fact. More babies die from things that keep them from breathing than any other kind of home accident. But it doesn't have to be this way. Follow these tips to keep your precious baby safe in the first year of life.

Poison Prevention

Most adults live a fast paced life and are juggling children, work, home life and family all at the same time. This can make it difficult to focus on the small, but important things that can affect your loved ones. Poisonings happen more often than people realize but there are ways to prevent accidents from happening your home. Click here to learn how to protect your family from common poisoning dangers.

Hurricane Season Safety

Hurricane season is here and now is the time to talk to your family about preparing for a potential disaster. Start by talking through the kinds of disaster that could happen where you live, and then develop a communications plan. Then, start on your communications plan by writing down emergency contact numbers and a list of places in and out of town where your family could meet. Click here to learn more about developing a communications plan and preparing readiness kits.

Fall Safety

Falls are the leading cause of home injury and can be especially harmful to seniors. Take time to ensure the seniors in your life are protected from falls, particularly when using stairs. Install handrails on both sides of stairways so both hands can be used for support and make sure the top and bottom of the stairs are well light. Also, keep stairways clear and do not store items on the steps or landings. Click here to learn more about the simple changes you can make to prevent falls.

DIY Safety

DIY projects can be rewarding summer activities and a great way to save money but, before taking on a home improvement project, remember to keep safety top-of-mind. Be sure to use appropriate safety gear for the project. Protective equipment may include gloves, goggles, respirators or ear protection. Have a first aid kit nearby and keep the kids out of the work area. When using power equipment, make sure your tools are in good condition and read/follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings before getting started. Click here for more tips on staying safe while you Do-It-Yourself.

Backyard Safety

The long days of summer mean families are spending more time outside. Whether you’re mowing the lawn or tending to your garden, make sure your backyard is a safe place for your entire family. Remember to pick up garden rakes and spades when not in use and always keep the kids a safe distance away from your lawn mower. Click here for more tips to help you enjoy your backyard safely this summer.

Firework Safety

More U.S. fires are reported on Independence Day than on any other day, and fireworks account for half of those fires, more than any other cause. In fact, more than 30,000 fires are reported during a typical 4th of July, resulting in anywhere from 7,000-10,000 injuries. Most injuries are to the head, eyes, hands and legs and 40 percent of fireworks injuries occur among children under age 15.

Nothing ruins a holiday more than a trip to the emergency room. Follow our tips to make sure your Fourth of July celebration is a safe one.

Disaster Preparedness

June marks the beginning of hurricane season, but is your family prepared? Whether it’s a hurricane or other natural disasters, every family needs to know what they should do if disaster strikes, so discuss disasters that could happen in your area. Develop a family communication plan so you know how to find each other if you are in different places when the disaster happens. Prepare disaster supply kits to keep in your home in case you have to stay at home for a few days or evacuate the area. Click here for more information on how to prepare a communication plan and supply kits.

Pool Safety

The rising summer temperatures likely have you and your children seeking out the nearest pool for relief. Before leaving your children near any body of water, be sure an adult is assigned to actively watch them at all times. If you host a pool party, assign adults to take turns watching the children very carefully. Click here for additional tips to help you and your family enjoy the pool safely this summer.

Home Security During The Summer

Excited about going on vacation this summer? Don’t forget to make sure your home is secure before leaving. Take time to review your home’s security and make improvements that will keep your home from being vulnerable to break-ins. Protect your home by remembering to lock your windows, keep lights on and have a friend pick up your mail. Click here to review our home security checklist and make sure your home is safe while you’re away.

Child Safety

As young children grow, they begin to do more and more tasks on their own, so it is important to teach your children how to be safe around the home. Teach them not to play with matches, lighters, candles or poisons. Plan and practice your family fire escape plan to help them know what will happen if a fire breaks out. Follow HSC’s tips below to learn other ways to protect young children in and around the home.

Keep Your Child Safe from Falls

· Have a grab bar by the bathtub and shower.

· Have a bath mat with a non-skid bottom next to the tub and shower.

· Wipe up spills when they happen.

· Use nightlights in hallways and bathrooms.

· Have window guards or window stops on upper windows. But make sure you can open the window fast in case of a fire.

· Cover the ground under playground equipment with a thick layer (9-12 inches) of mulch, wood chips or other safety material.

· Choose solid play equipment and keep it in good shape. Look for signs of rust, chipped paint, cracked or broken parts, etc. Fix them.

Keep Your Child Safe from Poisons

· Know the things in your home that are poisons.

· Look at the labels for the words “Caution,” “Warning,” “Danger,” “Poison” or “Keep Out of Reach of Children” on the box or bottle. Remove all medicines and medical supplies from purses, pockets and drawers. Keep them locked up.

· Put cleaners, medicines, alcohol and other poisons in a cabinet with a child safety lock or latch. Have child safety caps on all chemicals, medications and cleaning products.

· Know to call 1-800-222-1222 if someone takes poison. This number will connect you to emergency help in your area. Keep the number by every phone.

· Put a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm near the bedrooms in your home. A CO alarm will tell you if the gas level is too high.

· Have a service person check your heaters, stove and fireplaces every year to see that they work well. These are a source of carbon monoxide, a deadly gas you cannot see, smell or taste.

Keep Your Child Safe from Fire & Burns

· Make sure a smoke alarm is inside or near every bedroom. Test each smoke alarm every month. Push the test button until you hear a loud noise. Put new batteries in your smoke alarms at least one time each year.

· If your smoke alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them with new smoke alarms.

· If possible, get “interconnected” smoke alarms. These alarms are linked together so if one alarm sounds, they all go off.

· Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect – hold a family fire drill at least twice each year.

· In a fire, go to your meeting place outside. Call the fire department from there. Do not go back inside for any reason.

· Lock up all matches and lighters where children cannot see or touch them.

· If you have young children, teach them to stay away from the stove. Put tape on the floor so they can see where the “no-kid-zone” is.

· It is not safe for children to use the stove or microwave alone. Teach older children who are learning to cook how to be safe from fire and burns.

· Keep hot drinks away from the edge of tables and counters. Do not use tablecloths or placemats because young children can pull them down.

· If your child burns their skin, cool it with running water. Do this right away.

· Keep the burned area in cool water for 3 minutes or longer. Do not put ice, butter or lotion on the burn. This could make it worse.

· Call your doctor or 9-1-1 if the burn looks bad.

Keep Your Child Safe from Choking and Suffocation

· Read the labels of all toys before you let your child play with them. Make sure your child is old enough to use that toy. The label will tell you the safe age.

· Always make sure children eat while sitting down. Do not let them have round food like peanuts or hard candy.

· Window blind cords should not have a loop. Cut any loop in two pieces.

· Place blind cords up high where children cannot get them.

· The best option is to install new 'cordless' blinds to reduce the risk of strangulation even more.

Keep Your Child Safe around Water

· Drowning can happen very fast. Most of the time you will not hear someone drowning. Stay within an arm's reach of young children when they are in or near water.

· Store large buckets turned over, so water cannot collect inside them. Very young children can drown in 1-2 inches of water.

· Put a high fence all the way around your pool or spa. Always keep the gate closed and locked.

· Hot water burns like fire. Set your home water heater at 120 degrees F or just below the medium setting to prevent burns. Use a water thermometer to test bath water. The water temperature should be at 100 degrees F.

· Babies and young children have thin skin. Install special tub spouts and shower heads that prevent hot water burns.

Fire Safety At Home

Fires and burns are the third leading cause of unintentional home injury and related deaths. You can start practicing fire safety by developing a fire escape plan with your family. Draw a floor plan of your home and find two ways out of every room — the door and maybe the window — and sketch them clearly on the floor plan.Then, be sure to practice a fire drill with your family to make sure everyone knows where to go and what to do if there is a fire in your home.

Click here for safety advice that will reduce the chance of fire in your home.

Water Safety at Home

Young children are vulnerable to hot water burns in the winter and all year round. Closely watch your children every second to make sure they have fun and stay safe in the tub. To protect against scald burns, check your hot water heater to make sure the temperature is set to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and always be sure to run your hand through the water to test for hot spots before letting children in the tub.

Yard Safety

Taking care of your lawn and garden is a great excuse to get outside and enjoy the warm, spring weather. Whether you’re planting herbs and flowers or bringing your lawn back to life after the harsh winter, take time to review the Home Safety Council’s advice before heading out into the yard. Click here for tips to help keep you and loved ones safe while caring for your lawn and garden.

Spring Cleaning Safety

Now that winter has melted into spring, it’s time to start cleaning and tackling projects around the home. From cleaning gutters and garages to reorganizing over-stuffed closets, remember to keep safety in mind while checking items off of your spring cleaning to do list. Click here for safety tips and advice to protect against the common injuries that often come with annual spring cleaning projects.

Hot Water Burns

Many people don't know that hot water is a danger in the home. Hot water can burn like fire. Young children and older adults are at the highest risk because they have thin skin. But everyone can be hurt by hot water.

A scald burn is a burn from hot liquid or steam. The Home Safety Council wants you and your family to know what to do to prevent a painful scald burn from happening in your home. Click here to follow our safety tips.

Prescription Medication Safety

Prescription medication can be a great benefit to your health as you age, but it is important to follow instructions carefully. Medicine can quickly become harmful if not taken in the correct amounts and in the right way. Sometimes taking different medications can cause a bad reaction. If you or a loved one take prescription medications, it is very important to carefully keep track of which medications you take and when.

The Home Safety Council has simple steps to help you organize and safely store your medications. This can keep you from mixing up medications and will help keep your whole family safe from accidental poisoning.

Prescription Management Tips

Use the Home Safety Council’s tips and resources to safely manage prescriptions for you and your loved ones.

· Bathroom Poison Safety

· Poison Prevention Tips

· Medication Tracker

March is Poison Prevention Month!

March is Poison Prevention Month, the perfect time to protect your family from potential poisons, such as cosmetics, cleaners and medications. To start poison-proofing your home, walk through every room and looking to see where you store harmful products. Read the labels of the products you use and look for the words “Caution,” “Warning,” “Poison,” “Danger” or ”Keep Out of Reach of Children.”

Once you’ve found all the poisons in your home, find a safe place where you can keep them locked away from children. Store them on a high shelf, if you can, and secure cabinets with child safety locks. Post the Poison Control Hotline next to every phone in your home, so you can quickly call for help if anyone in your family takes poison.

Follow the Home Safety Council's poisoning prevention advice to protect your entire family from poisonous products.

Senior Fall Prevention

Falls are by far the most common home injury for all ages. But as you age, you are more likely to suffer serious injuries if you fall. Take the time now to keep you and the older adults in your life safe by finding and fixing the things in your home that could cause a fall.

Start by walking through the rooms of your home and asking yourself questions about what you see:

Ø Do you have grab bars installed in the bathroom?

Ø Do you have handrails on both sides of your stairways?

Ø Are your hallways well lit?

Ø Do you have throw rugs in your home? Are they secured to the floor?

Click here to learn about the simple changes you can make to prevent falls at home.

Disaster Preparedness

Disaster preparedness is not just for hurricane season – a disaster can strike at any moment! Be sure to stock up on batteries, flashlights, nonperishable foods, bottled water and blankets. Create a family communication plan that includes emergency numbers, so everyone will know what to do if an emergency happens where you live. Click here to learn more about preparing your family for winter storms or other potential emergencies.

Keep Your Kids Safe from Water Dangers In Your Home

Water can be dangerous to young children year round, not just in the summer. Constant, active adult supervision is needed to keep children safe around any body of water – including bathtubs, toilets and even buckets.

Bath time is a great time to bond with young children. Make sure your children have fun and stay safe in the tub by closely watching them every second. Run your hand through the water to test for hot spots, before letting children in the tub. Since children have thin skin that can burn easily, the temperature of the water in your home is important. Check your hot water heater and make sure the temperature in your home is set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Click here for more safety tips to help protect your child from water dangers.

Choking and Suffocation Hazards

As your baby becomes more active and curious, he will naturally want to smell, feel and taste everything around him. Make sure you stay one step ahead by taking steps today to protect against potential choking and suffocation hazards.

Start by walking through your home and putting all objects small enough to fit through a toilet paper tube, such as coins and marbles, up high where your child can’t reach them. Also, look for any window blind cords with a loop and cut the loop in two separate pieces. Then, place the window blind cords up high, out of your child’s reach.

Click here for more tips on keeping your babies and toddlers safe in the nursery and throughout your home.

Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Fuel burning appliances such as furnaces, kerosene heaters, fireplaces and wood burning stoves require careful use and proper maintenance throughout the winter. If not properly maintained, these appliances can produce carbon monoxide (CO), a deadly poison that claims the lives of nearly 300 people in their homes each year, according the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

CO is known as the "silent killer" because you cannot see, smell or taste it. To protect your family from CO poisoning, install

CO alarms throughout your home, especially in sleeping areas. Also, be sure your heating appliances are regularly inspected by a professional.

Click here to learn more tips about keeping your loved ones safe and warm at home this winter.

Make Your Home Safer this Winter!

If the cold weather has you stuck inside, take advantage of the down time to start making simple changes to keep your family safer at home. Start by walking through the rooms of your home and taking note of the hazards you’ve been too busy to fix. Then pledge to make one improvement a weekend. You’ll be surprised how much you can accomplish before spring! The Home Safety Council’s top ten tips to a safer home can help you get started!

Home Safety Council Completes Merger with Safe Kids Worldwide

The Home Safety Council (HSC) has completed its merger with Safe Kids Worldwide, bringing together top health and safety experts with the common goal of preventing accidental injuries to children. Together, HSC and Safe Kids Worldwide will continue to build on more than 40 years of combined experience educating communities and advocating for the prevention of unintentional injuries — a leading cause of childhood deaths.

The combined organization will use the Safe Kids Worldwide name and most HSC programs will be consolidated within the Safe Kids USA organization. While the organization will be solely dedicated to the prevention of accidental injuries to children ages 0-14, you can still turn to our website as a resource to help you keep your family safe in and now outside your home.

In the months to come, you will begin seeing changes to our website as we blend content from the two organizations helping us become the go-to resource for child safety. We will communicate changes with you as they happen, but we hope you will continue visiting often and turning to HomeSafetyCouncil.org as an educational resource to help keep your family safe from injuries inside and outside the home.

Click here learn more about Safe Kids Worldwide and our new combined organization.

HSC Expert Network Academy Opens

The Expert Network Academy is Open! Click here to watch the HSC Webinar introducing this new fire and injury prevention training resource for the U.S. Fire Service and safety advocates nationwide. Progressive fire departments view public education as a key strategy for reducing community risk to fire and other injuries. This Webinar will introduces the new HSC Expert Network Academy, a free online training resource to strengthen the knowledge base of our nation’s fire service, Emergency Medical Services, Safe Kids Coalitions, public health officers and other safety advocates.

Nursery Safety Game

Do you know all the potential dangers lurking in your babies’ nursery? Test your knowledge now and identify the hazards before the time runs out! Then learn new tips and information to help keep your baby safe in their nursery. Click here to play the game

Resolve to Visit MySafeHome.org in the New Year

If you haven't visited MySafeHome.org, the Home Safety Council's interactive virtual home, make a resolution to visit in the New Year. MySafeHome.org allows you to tour a virtual home room-by-room to learn about the leading causes of home injury and the actions you can take to keep your loved ones safe. Click here to view one of the latest interactive features added to the online tool and learn how to "Stop, Drop, Roll and Cool" if your clothes catch fire.

Christmas Tree Safety

As you’re placing presents under the Christmas tree this year, be sure to check it for freshness. Christmas trees can quickly become a safety hazard without proper care. Place your tree in a sturdy, non-tip stand filled with water to prevent tip-overs. To help prevent fires, place your tree at least three feet away from any flame or heat source and give it plenty of water. Click here for more Christmas tree safety tips.

Preparing for Holiday Guests

One of the best things about the holiday season is gathering together with families and friends to celebrate and be merry. Before you open your home to holiday guests, walk through each room to identify and fix any safety hazards. Click here for a checklist of simple steps you can take to protect your guests from common home injuries.

Spa Safety

Spas add extra comfort to homes, providing families with medical benefits and the opportunity to escape the outside hustle-and-bustle and relax in the soothing warm water. But, with home spas come many risks that can lead to serious injury or even death. In fact, according to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), since 1990, spas and hot tubs have accounted for more than 800 deaths nationwide. To raise awareness of these risks, the Home Safety Council (HSC) and Viking Spas are urging families to follow spa safety practices to avoid common injuries including drowning, hair entanglement, body entrapment, or illness or scald burns due to high water temperature. Click here to learn how to protect your family from common spa injuries throughout the year.

Winter Safety

With temperatures outside dropping, many families are turning to their fireplaces and space heaters to stay warm. To prevent fire and carbon monoxide dangers this winter, brush up on the safety and maintenance instructions for all home heating appliances before turning them on for the first time. Heat your home safely this winter by calling a trained professional to inspect and clean your central heating system and a certified chimney sweep to inspect and clean your fireplace and chimney connectors. Click here for additional home heating safety tips.

Babysitter Safety

As your holiday calendar starts to fill up, make sure you arrange for a trusted babysitter to keep your children safe while you enjoy the festivities. Choose a babysitter recommended by a trusted source such as a relative or a close friend. Keep dangerous activities to a minimum by making time to bathe and feed your children before leaving for the evening. Click here to learn more about how to choose a babysitter and keep your children safe while you are away.

Cooking Safety

Home Heating Safety

It’s getting cold outside and time to turning on the heat. Heating equipment — especially portable and space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves — require careful use and proper maintenance. If you’re using a portable space heater, read the label to make sure it has been tested for safety. Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn, such as furniture, curtains, bedspreads, trashcans, etc. If you plan to use your fireplace this winter, have it inspected by a professional chimney sweep who will fix any cracks, blockages and leaks and clean out any build-up in the chimney that could start a fire. Click here to learn more tips from the Home Safety Council to help you heat your home safely during the winter months.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Halloween Safety

Generator Safety

Generators are machines that create electricity so you can keep food cold and heat your home if the electricity goes off. But before using a generator this fall, make sure you read the instructions manual and warnings to learn how to operate the machine safely. For example, always place a portable generator outdoors, away from open windows. Placing a generator indoors or in an enclosed-space can cause the build-up of carbon monoxide ─ a dangerous, poisonous gas that you cannot see, smell or taste. Click here to learn more about using generators safely.

Fire Escape Planning Starts with Having a Plan

In 2008, fire departments responded to 403,000 home fires in the United States, yet, a recent survey by the Home Safety Council (HSC) reveals that less than half (37 percent) of respondents have taken any actions to prevent home fires. In response, HSC and Werner Ladder are partnering to encourage families to prepare for a home fire by developing an emergency escape plan and to make sure second- and third- story exits are equipped with fire escape ladders. Families may consider an innovative built-in ladder as an option.

“If your primary exit is blocked by smoke, heat or flames, you’ll need to use a second way out, possibly a window” said Chris Filardi, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Werner Ladder. “Making sure everyone knows the exit options and how to use a built-in fire escape ladder if necessary could, ultimately, save a life in an emergency.

There are more than 70 million two-to-three-story homes in the United States, according to a 2007 U.S. Census Bureau American Housing Survey, yet surprisingly, research by HSC reveals that only six percent of U.S. homes own a fire escape ladder.

“Many families don’t realize that a fire can go from first spark to deadly levels in as few as three minutes, leaving families little time to escape,” said Home Safety Council President Meri-K Appy. “In situations when getting out of the home quickly is critical to survival, a fire escape ladder may be one of the most important home improvement steps a caregiver can take.”

The HSC and Werner Ladder are urging families to work together to develop a fire escape plan. They can start by drawing a floor plan of their home, including all rooms, windows, doors, stairways, fire escapes and smoke alarms, and indentifying two ways out of every room. In some cases a window may be the only way to escape a fire. In this situation, families should have a fire escape ladder that is easy to use and is long enough to reach the ground.

Once the plan is in place, it is just as important that families practice fire drills at least twice a year. As part of their fire drill exercises, families should remember to practice deploying the fire escape ladder to the ground. To practice, extend the escape ladder and climb up a few rungs from the bottom. This will give each family member a sense of what it feels like to be on the ladder while preventing an unnecessary fall. Only use the ladder for an exit in an actual emergency.

If you have infants or children too young to escape independently, keep a front facing baby carrier near the window so an adult can escape with the baby and have both hands free to hold the ladder.

To learn more about developing a fire escape plan and choosing a fire escape ladder for a home, visit the Home Safety Council at http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/MySafeHome/msh_wernerladder_w001.asp to Werner Ladder Feature Page and Werner Ladder at www.wernerfireescapeladder.com. By starting to practice fire safety now, families can ensure they will be prepared throughout the year to exit their home safely in the event of a fire.

Safety in a Minute: Burns and Scalds

Home Safety Council and All Lowe's Stores to Host 'Safety Saturday'

The Home Safety Council (HSC) and Lowe's kickoff Fire Safety Month with Safety Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 25 to teach families how to prevent accidents in the home. The home is the second most common location of unintentional fatal injuries in the United States, accounting for approximately 20 percent of all injury deaths. The five leading causes of unintentional home injury deaths are falls, poisoning, fire/burn injuries, choking/suffocation, and drowning. Together, these causes account for 90 percent of all unintentional home injury deaths, according to the Home Safety Council.

This Saturday, every Lowe's store across the United States, Canada and Mexico will offer a Build and Grow clinic focused on home safety that will allow children to build a wooden fire truck to take home. Children also will receive educational materials created by the Home Safety Council, providing a fun, exciting and creative way to learn about home and fire safety. To sign-up for the fire truck Build and Grow clinic at a local store, visit Lowesbuildandgrow.com.

DIY Safety

September is Disaster Preparedness Month

Hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters can happen unexpectedly, leaving families without time to plan for evacuations or find shelter. During National Preparedness Month this September, the Home Safety Council urges families to develop communications plans and assemble Ready-to-Stay” and a “Ready-to-Go” kits, so they will be prepared for the unexpected. Click here to learn more about developing a communications plan and preparing “Ready” kits.

Start Safe

Have you introduced your preschooler to our Start Safe program? Start Safe features interactive games and important advice to help parents and caregivers protect their preschool-age children from fire and burn dangers. If you haven’t visited yet, click here to see the videos, activities and materials available to share with your preschooler

Preventing Falls at Home

Grilling Safety

DIY Safety

DIY projects can be fun summer activities and a great way to save money but, before taking on a home improvement project, remember to keep safety top-of-mind. Have a first aid kit nearby and keep the kids out of the work area. When using power equipment, make sure your tools are in good condition and read the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings before getting started. Click here for more tips on staying safe while you Do-It-Yourself.

Lawn and Garden Safety

Give2Safety - there's still time!

Show the love! The safety of our friends and loved ones is a top priority. The Home Safety Council works to teach families how to stay safe everyday. Show your love for home safety and honor those you care about with a gift to the Home Safety Council. Won’t you help build our safety house, and make a tribute to those you love? All gifts will help the Home Safety Council continue home safety education nationwide. Home injury can be prevented and you can help! Click here to join our campaign by making a donation to honor someone special in your life.

Protect Your Home While on Vacation

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), more burglaries occur in July and August than in any other months of the year*. Before leaving for a summer vacation, review the security of your home and make improvements to reduce its vulnerability to break-ins:

Follow the Home Safety Council’s advice to keep your family safe this summer:

Turn Up the Lights

Put bright lights over porches and walkways in the front and back.

Lock It Up

All doors to the outside should have working locks.

Garage and shed doors need working locks too.

All windows should have working locks.

Keep all doors to the outside, sliding doors, and windows locked.

Be Able to Get Out

Make sure everyone can open all locks from inside your home.

Don't have deadbolt locks that lock with an inside key. You need to get out fast if a fire starts. A missing key could trap you inside.

Replace inside-key locks with deadbolt locks that have a “thumb turn” instead of an indoor key.

Make sure everyone in your family can reach the “thumb turn” latch.

Have window locks that open from inside. Do not nail windows shut. Make sure they open easily.

If you have security bars on doors and windows, have a “quick-release” latch. This makes it easy to get outside in an emergency.

Make sure everyone in your family knows how to use the latch.

Don't Help Intruders

Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed under windows so burglars can't hide.

Keep ladders stored in a locked shed or garage so they can't be used to climb into your home.

Keep shades or curtains closed over garage and shed windows.

Keep shades or curtains closed over your home windows after dark.

Don't leave toys, tools and equipment in the yard.

When You're Gone a Few Days

Make your home look like someone is there.

Do yard work before you leave.

Have a family member or friend bring in your mail and newspaper while you are gone.

For a complete list of summer safety tips, visit: www.HomeSafetyCouncil.org.

Inspect Your Deck for Safety

Is your deck safe for the summer? More than 20 million decks across America are in danger of collapse, but yours does not have to be one of them. Often decks are unsafe because they are built incorrectly, have not been maintained properly, or are beyond their lifespan of 10 to 15 years. HSC and Simpson Strong-Tie are working together this summer to help make sure your deck is safe. Click here to learn about the five warning signs of deck collapse and how to make sure your deck is safe.

Pool Safely This Summer

It’s getting hot outside and your kids are ready to take their first plunge into the pool. Before they dive in, make sure every member of your family brushes up on a few simple steps that can help save lives this summer.

The Home Safety Council is a proud partner of the CPSC’s “Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives” campaign and is encouraging parents, caregivers and kids alike to follow four simple steps to prevent drowning and entrapment tragedies from ruining the summer fun.

• Stay Alert and Watch: Stay close and watch your child by the pool.

• Know Your Water Safety Skills: Learn to swim and practice CPR.

• Maintain Barriers: Install protective barriers, such as four-sided fences and pool alarms.

• Avoid Entrapments: Never enter a pool or spa with a loose, broken or missing drain cover.

Learn more swimming safety tips by clicking here.

National Junior Firefighter Program

Is your “tween” or teen interested in helping others, the community? Are they curious about emergency medical services or the fire service? The National Junior Firefighter program was created by the National Volunteer Fire Council to introduce young people to the first responder community. Junior firefighter programs give young people the chance to learn about the emergency services in a safe, educational and fun way, while also providing youth participants exposure to leadership and teamwork experiences and instilling a sense of responsibility to the community. Click here to learn more about the National Junior Firefighter Program and how your child can become involved.

Three Ways You Can Support Home Safety Month

1. Give2Safety: To celebrate Home Safety Month, we’re building an online safety home to honor all the fire and life safety professionals as well as families who work together to keep one another safe. Click here to join our campaign by making a donation and dedicating a piece of the home to someone special in your life. Whether it’s a colleague or family member who has helped keep you safe at home through the years or in honor of your kids you now work so hard to protect from injuries, dedicating a piece of our online safety home is the perfect way to show you care.

2. Visit our online Home Safety Month resource center for tools you can use to promote home safety in your community this June.

3. Also, visit our newly remodeled MySafeHome.org tour and start incorporating it as an interactive tool to teach families in your community how to be safer at home.

Annual Hands on Home Safety Campaign Encourages Families to Complete Ten Simple Steps to Protect Family Members of All Ages from Injuries

New research from the national, nonprofit Home Safety Council reveals that while nearly all (99 percent) parents surveyed say it is important to keep their family safe at home, the majority have not taken steps to prevent the leading causes of home injury. The research makes it clear that parents and caregivers need help identifying the safety risks most relevant to their families and creating an action plan to correct them.

This June, the Home Safety Council is encouraging parents and caregivers to focus on ten simple steps they can complete to protect against the leading causes of home injury – falls, poisonings, fires and burns, choking/suffocation and drowning. By encouraging families to tackle safety dangers one step at a time and providing a checklist they can follow, the Home Safety Council aims to curb the nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits that result from home injuries on average each year.

Give 2 Safety this Home Safety Month!

To celebrate Home Safety Month, we're working to build an online safety home - and we need your help! Click here to be one of the first to visit and complete a piece of our online safety home by choosing the amount you would like to donate. Your gift will help us reach families across America with programs and information to help keep them safe at home. After you've donated, dedicate your gift to a friend or loved one by uploading a photo and personalized message.

Come inside to see our newly remodeled MySafeHome.org!

The Home Safety Council invited you to visit MySafeHome.org and see our new look, including expanded video and updated safety advice. Learn about the leading causes of home accidents and get expert advice to help you keep your loved ones safe.

Click here to watch a quick intro video and see how MySafeHome.org brings home safety to life!

Click here to visit MySafeHome.org!

Note: Please be patient as the video may take a few minutes to load your first time viewing it.

Home Safety Month 2010

Believe it or not - June is only a couple weeks away! As you know, June is Home Safety Month, so be sure to check out the Home Safety Month section for the latest materials and resources to use in your community.

Click here to visit the Home Safety Month page

Start Safe Program for Preschoolers - Now with New Games!

As fire and life safety professionals, you may already be aware that fires and burns are a big problem in America for preschool-aged children. If you haven't checked it out yet, the Home Safety Council's newest program - Start Safe: A Fire and Burn safety Program for Preschoolers and their Families - delivers life-saving lessons to protect preschoolers from fire and burn dangers.

Go to www.homesafetycouncil.org/startsafeprogram for more information and to download the various materials available for educators like yourselves as well as for parents in your community. Don't forget to check out the new online games posted for kids too!

Join us on Facebook & Twitter!

Have you joined the wonderful world of social media? If so, join the Home Safety Council on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @HomeSafetyXpert for up-to-date tips and information. From the latest HSC tips and programs to breaking news on safety recalls and information from other safety organizations, you'll stay informed about home safety issues that affect your loved ones as well as your community. Please also use these avenues to give feedback on our latest information, ask questions and share your stories!

Thank you for your continued support,

The Home Safety Council

Register NOW for Free Introduction to Safe and Healthy Housing Webinar

On March 24, Dr. Angela Mickalide, HSC's director of education and outreach, will be joining the Children's Safety Network and the National Center for Healthy Housing for the Introduction to Safe and Healthy Housing Webinar. Sponorosed by Children's Safety Network, the focus will be on the seven principles of safe and healthy housing for those who typically enter homes, such as community health workers, home visiting nurses and firefighters.

The Home Safety Council is inviting Expert Network members to join in on the Webinar. There are only 50 spots left so click here to register now!

When: Wednesday, March 24 from 2 to 3:30 PM EST

Thank you from the Home Safety Council!

The Home Safety Council would like to thank all of our wonderful supporters who have voted over the past few months in the Good Earth Cares campaign. The tallies are in and thanks to all your voting, HSC placed in the top 3 - making us elligible for a donation from Good Earth Tea & Coffee!! Click here to see all three winning organizations.

Last month to vote for the Home Safety Council!

This is the last month you can help HSC win a donation from Good Earth to support our shared mission. Between now and February 28, please vote for the Home Safety Council every day in the Good Earth teas and coffees contest for national nonprofits. We are currently in 3rd place, but with your help we can reach first place before the end of the contest! Here are a few suggestions to help you remember to vote everyday:

1. Bookmark this link

2. Set a daily reminder in your calendar

3. Vote more than once using all of your e-mail addresses (work, personal, etc.)

January Expert Network News

Protect Against Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisonings typically spike during the winter months when temperatures drop and families are most likely to use fuel-burning heating equipment like furnaces, wood stoves, fireplaces and kerosene heaters to heat their homes. The Home Safety Council wants you to help families heat their homes safely this winter. Be sure to visit the "Bedroom" of MySafeHome.org for valuable information to help families in your community prevent fire and carbon monoxide poisoning risks.

New MySafeHome Tour

The Home Safety Council's virtual home has been remodeled!

Click here to tour the newly renovated MySafeHome.org to learn simple things you can do to protect the ones you love. Check back often to see our exciting room makeovers!

Special Offer

During January & February, buy one case of six Duracell yellow industrial flashlights with Duracell batteries included for just $16.75 (approx. $2.80 per flashlight including Duracell batteries). Visit the HSC Store for details.

Vote for the Home Safety Council!

Help us win a donation from Good Earth to support HSC and our shared mission. Between now and February 28, vote for the Home Safety Council in the Good Earth teas and coffees contest for national nonprofits. We’ve fallen to 3rd place! Please bookmark this link and vote every day!

Safety Calendar

Mark your calendar for the following upcoming events.

Register Now for one of the National Association of State Fire Marshals' Youth Fire Prevention Train-the-Trainer Workshops Taking Place in the 10 FEMA Regions

Safety Saturday (September 25, 2010): Safety Saturday is back for 2010! Save the date now and plan to host an event at your local Lowe's store!

Expert Network Resource Center

HSC offers a wealth of free tools to help Expert Network members enhance their community safety outreach campaigns. Follow the links below to learn more.

Help Improve the Quality of Life for Burn Survivors Across North America by Purchasing the 2010 International Association of Fire Fighters' Burn Foundation Calendar

Visit us Online to Learn More about Our New Program to Help You Protect Local Preschoolers from Fires and Burns

Visit HSC's Expert Network Community Forum Today & Interact with Other Fire & Life Safety Professionals

Download Materials from the Home Safety Literacy Project

Tell Your Community about Fire Sprinklers for Homes: Download HSC's Fire Sprinkler Resources for Educators

New & Noteworthy: Review the Latest Fire Prevention and Safety Education Resources

HSC Publications and Products: Request Safety Materials from HSC

Home Safety Council News

Stay current on HSC's recent news. Follow the links below to learn more.

Home Safety Council Applauds Pennsylvania's Protection of New Homes with Fire Sprinklers

Carbon Monoxide and Home Fire Risks Heat Up this Winter

Vote for the Home Safety Council!

Good Earth Tea & Coffee is giving back by sponsoring a contest for nonprofits. The company will donate half of its after tax profits to the top three charities receiving votes online now through February 28, 2010. Help us win to support our shared mission to keep families safe at home. We’re making progress, as of today we’re in 2nd place and we need your help to keep our position and hopefully move into the number one spot!

Visit GoodEarthCares.com every day between now and February 28 and select the Home Safety Council as your favorite charity! Bookmark the link below to vote every day!

We need your support to win! We’ll send updates on our progress and reminders to vote through Facebook and Twitter. If you’re not a Home Safety Council fan/follower, become one now!

Carbon Monoxide Alarms Added to ICC Housing Requirements

Our friends at the National Center for Healthy Housing released the following breaking news:

A committee of the International Code Council (ICC) considered a series of proposals from NCHH and the Alliance for Healthy Homes to improve the 2012 version of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC). The IPMC applies to all structures, but as a practical matter is the nation's model housing code, governing conditions that affect occupants in and around the structure. Several states and nearly 600 localities across the country have adopted the IPMC for housing.

The committee's decisions go for public comment this spring and a final vote by code officials in Charlotte, NC, from October 28 to November 1, 2010.

The committee accepted three proposals:

Require use of the lead-safe work practices to repair deteriorated paint on structures built before 1978. The LSWPs are those in EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule. In the rule, "paint" is presumed to be lead-based paint.

Require carbon monoxide alarms in dwelling units with combustion sources or an attached garage. There are exemptions for homes with ventilated or open attached garages.

Prohibit the use of portable unvented fuel-burning space heaters to provide comfort heating.

Another committee accepted our proposal to adopt California's standards for formaldehyde from composite wood products.

ICC committees seriously considered other proposals but did not approve them; however, NCHH and AFHH anticipate submitting public comments to address committee concerns and pursue approval by the ICC code officials next year. These proposals include:

Requiring radon-resistant new construction in high-risk areas (counties designated as Zone 1 and Zone 2).

Requiring removal, replacement, or remediation of interior porous or water-permeable surfaces with visible mold.

Defining "sanitary" so code inspectors can more effectively apply the term that is used throughout the IPMC and modifying the definition of "infestation."

Requiring use of licensed pest management professionals when a code official orders pest control.

Establish clear provisions in the IPMC for standards to address specific health issues.

In a related safety issue, the committee responsible for the International Residential Code affirmed the ICC membership's decision to require sprinklers in one- and two-family housing.

As with any success, this work took a team. Special thanks to our colleagues Marc Nard; Wayne Jewell of Southfield, MI; Warren Friedman of HUD; Angela Mickalide of the Home Safety Council; Howard Asch of Michigan; Tom Mahar of New York; Doreen Cantor Pastor and Phil Jalbert of EPA; Tom Julia; Madeleine Shea and Meghan Butasek of Baltimore; Ruth Ann Norton and Wes Stewart of the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning; Gloria Linnertz of Cancer Survivors Against Radon; Peter Hendrick, Julie Somis, and Dave Kapturowski of the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists; and Mike Pyles of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection.

The Fire Grant Program...The Fight's Never Over!

By: HSC Board Chairman Chief Dennis Compton

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) has provided fire departments and other fire service affiliate organizations with more than $5 billion since the program began. This funding has been used to improve the readiness of the American Fire Service in a variety of ways (staffing, equipment, training, etc.) and to prevent fires and other life threatening emergencies through coordinated prevention and public education efforts at the national, state, and local levels. Firefighter safety programs and important fire service research projects have also benefited from these fire grants. Improved readiness for day-to-day operations directly corresponds to improved readiness to respond to acts of terrorism and natural disasters. The people of the United States are better protected and the nation’s fire service is more prepared to operate effectively and safely because of funding received through the FIRE and SAFER grants.

The Heritage Foundation, located in Washington, DC, issued a report on September 23, 2009. The Foundation’s logo boldly professes that this organization provides “Leadership For America”. At the bottom of the cover page of the report (right below their logo), there is a disclaimer that says verbatim, “Nothing written here is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of The Heritage Foundation or as an attempt to aid or hinder the passage of any bill before Congress.” It should be noted that this report was issued at the same time that the House Science and Technology Committee was considering the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act and Congress was approving the Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Act (which funds both the FIRE and SAFER Grants). The essence of the Heritage Foundation Report is that the Fire Grants Program has failed because civilian fire deaths and injuries, and firefighter line-of-duty deaths and injuries, have not been reduced in the United States during the life of this program. It’s not clear whether the data used in their analysis are accurate, nor is it clear whether the assumptions they make in their report are valid. In any case, the report is a myopic analysis focusing on only one outcome measure (although an important one)…total casualties…and as a result, determines that the program is ineffective and that Congress should eliminate funding for the Fire Grants Program (FIRE and SAFER). The report represents a very narrow review of the program, and one has to admit that the timing of its release is more than just suspect.

The reality is that the Fire Grants Program has many goals besides just the one addressed by the Heritage Foundation, and it has been formally evaluated at least two times since 2003 by independent agencies that reviewed various aspects of the administration and effectiveness of the process and the grants themselves.

On January 31, 2003, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Executive Potential Program Team Six published their report titled, “Survey, Assessment, and Recommendations for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.” The report states in part that their goal was to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the program by providing both qualitative and quantitative measures which reflect the positive impacts of these funds. Their finding clearly indicates that the grant program is “highly effective in improving the readiness and capabilities of firefighters across the nation.”

This year, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), released a report assessing the effectiveness of the Fire Grants Program for Fiscal Year 2008. As a result of this OMB evaluation process, the Fire Grants Program was one of only ten programs in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to receive an “Effective” rating and was one of only two programs in FEMA to receive an “Effective” rating. It’s important to note that the total weighted score issued by OMB for the Fire Grants Program was 95%. Only one program in DHS received a higher score from OMB, and that was 96% (a Secret Service Program).

Bottom line, the Fire Grants Program has been independently rated as one of the most effective Federal programs in existence, and with all that’s been accomplished through this important funding since it was established, neither FIRE nor SAFER have ever been funded to their authorized levels. One can’t help but wonder what could have been accomplished if these programs were fully funded. Even with the positive evaluations the programs have received, FEMA is working to improve the availability of pertinent data, as well as better evaluate and document the outcomes achieved (past, present, and future) as a result of these grants.

Conducting and publishing a very narrow evaluation of an important public safety program like the Fire Grants just at the time that their future is being determined by Congress does not constitute positive “Leadership For America”, as professed by The Heritage Foundation through their logo. Most Americans, whose lives and property are protected by the nations’ fire service, would probably define responsible leadership differently than the Heritage Foundation has practiced in their recent report on the Fire Grants Program. Congress and the Administration understand the full purpose and value of these grants…and we should let them know how much we appreciate their support. Fire departments and fire service affiliate organizations are very fortunate to have the FIRE and SAFER grants to help them perform their missions. We should never take this funding for granted and we must work together and be willing to fight to make sure they remain in place for the benefit of the nation and the fire service in the future. That commitment constitutes Positive Leadership for America.

About the Author:

Chief Dennis Compton is a well-known speaker and the author of several books including the When in Doubt, Lead series, Mental Aspects of Performance for Firefighters and Fire Officers, as well as many other articles and publications. He is also the Co-Editor of the current edition of the ICMA textbook titled, “Managing Fire and Rescue Services”

Dennis served as the Fire Chief in Mesa, Arizona for five years and as Assistant Fire Chief in Phoenix, Arizona, where he served for twenty-seven years. Chief Compton is the Past Chairman of the Executive Board of the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) and Past Chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s National Advisory Committee. He is currently the Chairman of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Board of Directors, and the Chairman of the Home Safety Council Board of Directors.

Vote for the Home Safety Council!

Help us win $25,000 to support HSC and our shared mission! Between now and February 28, write in a vote for the Home Safety Council in the Good Earth teas and coffees contest for national nonprofits. Bookmark this link and vote every day!

ICC Votes to Keep Residential Fire Sprinklers Mandatory!

The Home Safety Council is very excited to share the news that the vote to keep the building codes mandating home fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family homes was upheld at the International Code Council. Thank you to everyone for your continued support!

To read the full articles, go to FireRescue1.com or IRCfiresprinkler.org.

Read the Latest Expert Network News!

October is Fire Safety Month!

Fire Safety Month is a great time to teach parents and children in your community about the importance of home fire safety. Whether you hold a local event or visit school classrooms, put the Home Safety Council’s resources to work as you educate your community on the importance of smoke alarms, home fire escape plans, and home fire sprinklers. Click here to review the fire safety teaching tools available for you.

Special Offer

During October, the Comprehensive Kit for Children is available for $40 for Expert Network members and $50 for non-members. The Kit includes both fire safety and disaster preparedness materials and is a value regularly priced at $100! Visit the HSC store to take advantage of the special offer today.

Contains:

1 Get Ready with Freddie! packet with DVD

1 Safety Rangers Spot Dangers packet

1 Safety Rangers Stay Away from Fire Dangers

1 Code Red Rover, Grownup Come Over DVD

1 Great Safety Adventure Curriculum kit

Safety Calendar

Mark your calendar for the following upcoming activities. Click the links below for details:

Fire Safety Month (October 2009): Teach families in your community how to prevent and prepare for fires in the home.

Halloween (October 31, 2009): Work with families and teachers in your community to help keep children safe while trick or treating.

Free Webinar (November 4, 2009): Join HSC’s Dr. Angela Mickalide and others as they host “It’s about Results: Developing Model Performance Measures for Fire Prevention Programs” Webinar.

Expert Network Resource Center

HSC offers a wealth of free tools to help Expert Network members enhance their community safety outreach campaigns. Follow the links below to learn more.

Help Your Community Make Every Saturday a Safety Saturday with our Project Starters!

Be on the Lookout for your Start Safe Program Materials to Arrive within the Next Week. Visit us Online to Learn More about Our New Program to Help You Protect Local Preschoolers from Fires and Burns.

Wondering Why You Should Register on the Web Site? Review HSC’s Registration FAQs for Answers

Visit HSC’s New Expert Network Community Forum Today & Interact with Other Fire & Life Safety Professionals

Download Materials from the Home Safety Literacy Project

Tell Your Community about Fire Sprinklers for Homes: Download HSC’s Fire Sprinkler Resources for Educators

New & Noteworthy: Review the Latest Fire Prevention and Safety Education Resources

HSC Publications and Products: Request Safety Materials from HSC

Help Keep Fire Sprinklers in the International Residential Code

Dear Expert Network Member:

As you likely know, residential fire sprinkler-code opponents are making a strong push to remove the International Residential Code (IRC) sprinkler requirements for new one- and two-family homes and townhomes that was passed during last year’s ICC hearings. Their proposals will be heard during the ICC development hearings taking place in Baltimore, MD from October 28-30.    

I’ll be in Baltimore casting my vote for a strong residential sprinkler requirement. I hope you’ll join me to make sure your voice is heard in support of keeping a requirement in the IRC to sprinkler new homes.

All ICC Building Safety Professional members are eligible to vote.But you must be a member by October 14, 2009. So we’ve outlined the steps needed to make sure you can register your vote in order to protect sprinkler codes in your community and around the country.    

1. Join the ICC: If you aren’t already a member, register as an ICC Building Safety Professional by Wednesday, October 14. The cost for annual membership is $100. Click here to join.

2. Go to Baltimore: All ICC Building Safety Professional members present at the hearings in Baltimore are eligible to vote, but you must be present to do so. The Code Development Hearings will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center and are free for ICC members to attend. Be sure to pre-register to verify that you’re eligible to vote. Click here to pre-register.

3. Spread the Word: Fire and life safety advocates demonstrated their commitment to the life saving value of fire sprinklers last year by turning out in unprecedented numbers at the ICC final action hearing in Minneapolis. The vote in Minneapolis represented the successful culmination of a 30-year effort to include codes requiring fire sprinklers as a standard feature in all new homes. We must show the same support in Baltimore this year to send a strong message to sprinkler-code opponents and to protect fire sprinkler requirements.    

For additional information about the hearings, we suggest you visit two helpful Web sites: www.IRCFireSprinkler.org and www.firesprinklerinitiative.org/.

I look forward to seeing you in Baltimore.

Thank you for your continued support of important public safety issues such as this.

Meri-K Appy

President

Home Safety Council

Read the Latest Expert Network News!

Find a Safety Saturday Event at Lowe's in Your Neighborhood!

The Home Safety Council and Lowe's are working with local fire departments for a Safety Saturday event on September 26. Visit our Safety Saturday landing page for details and resources to help you find a Safety Saturday event in your community.

Special Offer

During September, the following materials are available for a special low price of $15 for Expert Network members and $20 for non-members. The materials are regularly value-priced at $29 for members and $37 for non-members. Visit the HSC store to take advantage of the special offer today.

•1 Older Adults Fire Safety packet with DVD

•1 Safe Steps packet with DVD

•1 Safe Haven for Older Adults

Safety Calendar

Mark your calendar for the following upcoming activities and events. Click the links below

for details:

National Preparedness Month (September 2009): Help families in your community prepare for disaster with HSC's tips and information.

National Falls Awareness Day (September 22, 2009): Educate your community on the steps needed to prevent falls at home, the leading cause of home injury.

Expert Network Resource Center

HSC offers a wealth of free tools to help Expert Network members enhance their community safety outreach campaigns. Follow the links below to learn more.

Wondering Why You Should Register on the Web Site? Review HSC's Registration FAQs for Answers

Visit HSC's New Expert Network Community Forum Today & Interact with Other Fire & Life Safety Professionals

Download Materials from the Home Safety Literacy Project

Tell Your Community about Fire Sprinklers for Homes: Download HSC's Fire Sprinkler Resources for Educators

New & Noteworthy: Review the Latest Fire Prevention and Safety Education Resources

HSC Publications and Products: Request Safety Materials from HSC

Home Safety Council News

Stay current on HSC's recent news. Follow the links below to learn more.

Home Safety Council® Introduces the Expert Network Academy: A Free Online Training Program for U.S. Fire Service Educators

Home Safety Council® and Toys"R"Us, Inc. Partner to Help Parents Keep Babies Safe at Home

New National Initiative Promotes Community Service - Learn How You Can Get Involved

President Obama recently introduced the United We Serve initiative, an extended call to action asking Americans to participate in sustained, meaningful community service. United We Serve has engaged Americans from coast to coast in addressing community needs in education, health care, energy independence, economic renewal, disaster preparedness, veterans care and other issues.

In preparation for National Preparedness Month in September,United We Serve will promote the week of August 24-30 as “Safety and Security Week” and willsend out national press releases and prominently feature stories focused on volunteerism in the arenas of disaster preparedness and recovery.

If your department or organization has volunteer activities occurring the week of August 24^th to 30^th that relate to “Safety and Security,” please reach out to Fred Wong, Outreach Coordinator for United We Serve at the Corporation for National and Community Service at fwong@cns.gov, to share your story.

Visit Serve.gov to read great stories of how preparedness organizations generated interest in their programs and located local volunteers. Suggestions of other ways you can get involved to support the President’s call to action are included below:

Encourage families in your community to use the Community Preparedness Toolkit to develop their own "do-it-yourself" service projects and help prepare your local community for disasters.

Post opportunities for citizens to volunteer in your organization on Serve.gov.

Share information about United We Serve, including a link to the President’s video, through your Web site and any online communications vehicles.

Add a link on your homepage to Serve.gov – banners and logos are available at http://www.serve.gov/link.asp.

Issue a press release about your participation in United We Serve – you can use downloadable sample press releases and media advisories to fit your organization’s needs in promoting volunteer opportunities in your communities. (You can find them to the right of the linked page in the “Promote Your Project in the Media” section).

Share stories about how your volunteers are making a difference at http://www.serve.gov/share.asp. United We Serve will highlight examples of exemplary service throughout this summer on its high-traffic blog.

Register Now for the Home Safety Council's Free Webinar on Safety Saturday

Join us for the Safety Saturday Webinar to learn how you can get involved. We'll share best practices to help you contact and work with your Lowe’s store managers and associates to hold a successful Safety Saturday event. Join us and our sponsors from Lowe’s for this informative Webinar and you’ll be ready to start planning your own Safety Saturday event!

All attendees will also receive free educational material leading up to the Safety Saturday event.

Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 1:00 PM EDT

Presenters:

Meri-K Appy, President, Home Safety Council

Robin Frye, Lowe’s Community Relations

Click here to register to participate in the Safety Saturday Webinar or visit www.homesafetycouncil.org/safetysaturday.

Safety Saturday!

The Home Safety Council has already started making plans to help you make the most of Fire Safety Month in your community. We’re partnering with our founding sponsor Lowe’s to provide you with the tools you need to put on a local educational event that will bring your community together to learn about home fire dangers and the technologies that can prevent fire and burn injuries.

Safety Saturday is a free public event to be held in the parking lot of Lowe’s stores on Saturday, September 26. Across the country, participating Lowe’s stores will be teaming up with their fire safety and other community safety neighbors for this one-day event. It’s designed to provide good, educational fun for the entire family.

As a safety professional, you can participate and support Safety Saturday in a couple different ways:

Work with your local Lowe’s store to host a Safety Saturday event on September 26^th. Click here to learn more.

Share project idea starters to help families in your community tackle a different home safety project each Saturday. Click here to get started!

In July, the Home Safety Council will host a Webinar to provide additional details on Safety Saturday and tips to help you get involved, Please visit www.homesafetycouncil.org/safetysaturday regularly! We will post the Webinar date, time and registration in the days to come and we will be adding new information online continuously through September.

New, Upcoming Webinars for the Expert Network!

Save the dates below for the following Webinars coming in July – registration coming soon!

August 5 – Learn More about Safety Saturday. We’re encouraging Expert Network members to team up with their local Lowe’s stores to host a one-day Safety Saturday event on September 26. All across the country, Lowe’s stores will join with their fire service and community safety organizations to how a one-day home safety fair in the store parking lot. Join us for this Webinar on Wednesday, August 5 to learn how you can get involved. Safety Saturday events are taking place on September 26 – the perfect time to kickoff Fire Safety Month in your community. Join us for this informative Webinar and you’ll be ready to start planning your Safety Saturday event this summer!

September 2009 – Start Safe: A Fire and Burn Safety Education Program for Preschoolers and Their Families. Fires and burns are a big problem in America for preschool-aged children. Each year, thousands are injured or killed from accidents in the home that could be prevented. That's why the Home Safety Council has teamed up with Weekly Reader Custom Publishing to create Start Safe: A Fire and Burn Safety Program for Preschoolers and their Families. Join us in September for an in-depth introduction to the new program. During the Webinar, you will learn the ins and outs of the program components, best practices for implementing it in your community and how to evaluate your efforts.

Read the Latest Expert Network News!

Home Safety Month

Visit the new Home Safety Month and Expert Network sections of the Web site for tools you can use to start interacting with other home safety advocates!

Use the Home Safety Month resources below to implement a Home Safety Month campaign in your community.

-View the Archived 2009 Home Safety Month Webinar: Putting Home Safety to Work

-Join the Hands on Home Safety Campaign

-Download the Home Safety Month Brochure

-Download the Home Safety Month Poster

Safety Calendar

Mark your calendar for the following upcoming activities and events. Click the links below for details:

-Summer Institute on Web Strategies for Health Communication (July 19-24, 2009)

Expert Network Resources

HSC offers a wealth of free tools to help Expert Network members enhance their community safety outreach campaigns. Follow the links below to learn more.

-Visit HSC’s New Expert Network Community Forum Today & Interact with Other Fire & Life Safety Professionals

-Download Materials from the Home Safety Literacy Project

-Tell Your Community about Fire Sprinklers for Homes: Download HSC’s Fire Sprinkler Resources for Educators

-Helpful Links: Review the Latest Fire Prevention and Safety Education Resources

-HSC Publications and Products: Request Safety Materials from HSC

-Take a Tour of HSC’s Virtual Home - MySafeHome

Home Safety Council News

Stay current on HSC's recent news. Follow the links below to learn more.

-Home Safety Council Unveils National Research and a New Interactive Web Site To Kick-Off Home Safety Month

Happy Home Safety Month 2009!

It’s the beginning of summertime, and as the song goes, the livin’ is easy. Or is it?

As most of you know all too well, summer is “trauma season” to first responders and local emergency departments. Kids are out of school and spending more time at home, which is the #1 place of accidental injury for children under 15 years of age.

From pools to backyard play sets; from hot grills to fireworks; and from open windows to gasoline containers; summer brings fun but it also poses many dangers to young children.

And because kids make it their job to explore boundaries and test their limits, keeping kids injury-free at home is fundamentally the responsibility of their parents and caregivers.

Research Reveals a Safety Gap

That sounds logical, but in fact, there’s a dangerous disconnect. According to recent Home Safety Council research, nearly all (99 percent) of parents say it is important to them to keep their family safe at home. And yet:

•    only 13 percent have installed grab bars in tubs and showers to prevent falls;

•    fewer than three in 10 (26 percent) have planned and practiced a home fire drill;

•    and while the only measure scientifically proven to reduce pool drowning is proper fencing, 92 percent of parents surveyed told us they do not have a four-sided fence that goes all around the pool.

We also know many children experience lapses in good adult supervision. This means the safety of children often depends on the decisions they make themselves…and that’s just not good enough.

Please don’t get me wrong.

Teaching children to make wise safety choices is important, and many fire departments invest time and resources to do it. But this approach only gets us so far. When it comes to safety, kids need help. Our research makes it clear that they need more help than they’re getting from the adults around them. Children cannot drive themselves to their local Lowe’s to buy new smoke and CO alarms. They can’t install child safety latches and cover the ground under the backyard swing set with 12 inches of rubber mulch. Only the grownups who love them can truly protect them, by maintaining a safer home environment that includes active and effective supervision.

Get to the Grownups

So in our public education efforts, if we fail to reach adult caregivers, we are missing what HSC believes is the MOST IMPORTANT AUDIENCE when it comes to the safety of children.

Home Safety Month in June is the perfect time to “get to the grownups” and HSC has created a wealth of great tools to use. These are featured right now on HSC’s brand new Web site: www.homesafetycouncil.org. HSC’s safety information is now organized by tabs according to life stages: from babies and toddlers (Start Safe) to school-aged children (The Great Safety Adventure) to the whole family (My Safe Home), and to older adults (Safe Seniors). This makes is easy for you – and members of your community – to find the information that is most relevant for your needs.

To put your department front and center during Home Safety Month, we’ve also designed fill-in-the-blank press releases, fact sheets, HSC’s special brand of step-by-step illustrated safety brochures in English and Spanish (including a new one on Scald Burn Prevention) and other tools to make it easy. As a member of the HSC Expert Network, you can access all of our online resources at no charge. You’ll receive specially-reduced prices on hard copies in the HSC Store. Here are some links to help you get started:

•    Visit the Home Safety Month page

•    Visit the HSC e-store

Note: because the HSC Web site is brand new, you’ll need to register on the site to take advantage of the tools we are creating just for you. Registering is easy and free and will give you access to many of the resources we offer for download from the Web site. Registering will not affect your Expert Network registration, so feel free to use your same user name and password, if you’d like.

Fire and life safety educators are the Home Safety Council’s most trusted partners to drive our message home in communities across America.   You inspire us every day! Thanks for everything you do, and let’s work together to make this the summer of safety, starting with Home Safety Month in June.

1st Bottom Line Blog Post

I want you to be among the first to know about the exciting changes the Home Safety Council is making to our Web site to make it more interactive and consumer-friendly. We're also updating it with new opportunities to strengthen the Expert Network as an online community of fire and life safety professionals.

Launching just in time for Home Safety Month in June, the new site includes all of the information, tools and resources you have come to expect from the Home Safety Council, plus some exciting new features.

You'll notice it follows a life stage approach, offering safety tools and information to help keep people safe at all ages. We especially want to reach parents and caregivers, as they are in the best position to make changes at home that will keep family members safe. So the site is organized into four main focus areas:

- Start Safe : babies and toddlers

- Great Safety Adventure : pre-school to middle school age children

- My Safe Home : safety for the entire family

- Safe Seniors : older adult safety

The site also includes online quizzes and interactive features to engage caregivers:

- What Kind of Safety Mom Are You? - series of quizzes moms (and dads too!) can take to test their safety knowledge

- Share Your Story - opportunity for people to share how home safety has impacted their lives, as well as examples of the home safety changes they've made in their own homes. Stories are posted for all visitors to search, read and discuss.

We keep it simple. The Home Safety Council team works hard to ensure the content on our Web site is technically accurate and up-to-date. But we're also committed to making our information as easy-to-understand as possible.

We use clear, simple language and lots of original photographs and illustrations.

The new site also has special elements designed especially for you as an Expert Network Member:

Home Safety Online Community - interactive forum where Expert Network members and all registered HSC community visitors can share best practices, ask questions, express challenges and discuss accomplishments with one another.

Bottom Line Blog - just for members of the HSC Expert Network, the Bottom Line Blog will update you on the latest safety trends and relay important information of interest to fire and life safety educators. Plus, you'll have a chance to interact online with national safety experts who are on the cutting edge of our field. The blog will be updated regularly to help keep you in the know.

MySafeHome.org Tour - our first-of-its-kind online tool will soon have a new navigation system to help people in your community find and fix the leading causes of accidents in their home. Visitors to MySafeHome.org can tour a virtual home, room-by-room, to learn about the leading causes of home injuries and see the steps they can take to keep their loved ones safe.

Safety Video Library - our new Safety Video Library includes all of our educational videos on topics ranging from fire safety to falls prevention. You'll also find highlights from our national media coverage. We hope you will use our videos to help teach those in your community how to make their homes safe.

To get to the Expert Network pages from the home page, click on the About Us - Programs & Partners tab in the upper left corner and click Expert Network from there. Or, as always, bookmark www.homesafetycouncil.org/expertnetwork for one-click access to must-have information and resources for public educators.

I invite you to spend time on the new site and to share your comments with us at info@homesafetycouncil.org. As with any great Web site, ours is a work in progress and we'll continue to update and improve it in the weeks and months ahead.

We hope you will add it as a link from your organization's Web site to help the members of your community benefit from HSC's unique approach to safety education. Please also use our special Web sticker on your site during Home Safety Month in June!