Home Injury Prevention

This page has been automatically translated from English. MSDH has not reviewed this translation and is not responsible for any inaccuracies.

Mississippi has one of the highest rates of death from unintentional injuries in the nation.

Unintentional injuries have many causes, both indoors and outdoors. The leading risks in the home come from:

  • Fire and burns
  • Falls
  • Poison

Fires and Burns

Preventing fires in the home

  • Make sure that a working smoke alarm is on every floor of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Test each smoke alarm every month, and replace the batteries at least once a year.
  • Plan and practice a home fire drill with your family that includes at least two exits from a room.
  • Choose a meeting place outside your home and make sure your whole family knows about it.
  • Make sure that the temperature on your water heater is set no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

More Fire Prevention Information

Falls

Avoiding falls at home

  • Use brighter lights in your home, especially around stairs and other hazardous places.
  • Add night lights in hallways, bathrooms and other frequently-used parts of the house.
  • Make sure that your stairs and steps have handrails along both sides.
  • Keep stairways and other pathways clear of clutter.
  • If you have a toddler or small child, put a baby gate in place at the top and bottom of your stairs.

Poison

Safeguard kids from poisoning

  • Keep household chemicals in locked cabinets.
  • Store poisons out of reach of children.
  • Keep the number for the Mississippi Poison Control Center handy: 1-800-222-1222
Last reviewed on Jun 21, 2017 request edits
Mississippi State Department of Health 570 East Woodrow Wilson Dr Jackson, MS 39216 866‑HLTHY4U Contact and information

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