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What's New - March 2010
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Spring Cleaning Safety Tips
As the warmer March weather comes in, so does the urge to start some much needed “spring cleaning” around the house. The American Academy of Pediatrics has some great safety tips, particularly for those with small children. A few of these tips are listed below – for their full list and other helpful child safety information, visit their website at: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/aprspringtips.htm
Around the House:
- Choose nontoxic products for your spring cleaning. For example, vinegar and water is an inexpensive and effective window cleaning solution.
- Time to move the furniture? Place cribs, playpens and other furniture away from the window and accessible drapery cords. Children can climb up on furniture and fall out of the window or get strangled in the cords.
- Make sure window guards/bars are secure, and know how to open the window in case of fire. Screens do no prevent window falls.
- Test all your smoke alarms to ensure they are working. Change the batteries at least once every year. Most smoke alarms also need "spring cleaning" maintenance - check your manual.
- Develop and practice a family fire escape plan in case of emergency.
- Consider installing carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
- Post the Poison Help Line number (1-800-222-1222) and your pediatrician's number on all phones.
Garage:
- Discard toxic and flammable materials you no longer need. Place remaining materials high and out of reach. Keep toxic products in their original containers.
- Check the garage for flammable liquids such as gasoline, paint thinner, paint and cleaners. Make sure safety caps are in place and they are not near any heat sources. Keep only the amount you need to use - don't stock up on extra cans.
- Tidy loose papers, old rags, and debris in the garage that could contribute to a fire.
- When washing the car, clean the car safety seat as well - sticky snacks, crumbs, and drinks can interfere with the crotch buckle and chest clip. Use the instructions to find out how to remove the cover and clean these parts. Take the time to weigh and measure your children to make sure they still fit in the seat. Check that the shoulder straps are the right height. Be sure the seat is installed securely. If unsure of your car seat installation, you can make an appointment with our Car Seat Safety inspectors, at 831-685-6690. We do car seat safety inspections on Wednesday afternoons, by appointment only.
Yard:
- Choose nontoxic fertilizers, insecticides and gardening supplies.
- Eliminate any standing water to prevent drowning (buckets, drums, baby pools). Remember that a young child can drown in only a few of inches of water.
- If you have a pool or spa, it should be enclosed by a four-sided fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate. Learn CPR and have a phone and emergency equipment poolside.
- Most yard cleanup tools (ladders, weed-eaters, pruning shears) are not safe for children. If your child wants to help in the yard, he or she should use tools designed for children, such as a small plastic rake, child's shovel, or broom.
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Kidde Smoke Detector Recall
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| The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Walter Kiddee Portable Equipment Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of approx. 94,000 Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms (Model PI2000). In some instances, an electrostatic discharge can damage the unit, thus resulting in failure to alert consumers of a fire. For more information, click the PDF recall notice below, or contact Building Materials Listing Program Coordinator Francis Mateo at francis.mateo@ca.fire.gov, or call (916) 445-8396.
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