Home Safe Home

Fire Safety

Smoke alarms have them and check them regularly Have a fire escape plan at home and work Check for other potential fire hazards

Take care of fireplaces and portable heaters Extinguish candles and turn off appliances before leaving home Avoid overloading power strips and outlets

Fire Safety
How to put out a small fire - P-A-S-S
PULL pull the pin AIM aim at the base of the fire SQUEEZE squeeze the handle SWEEP sweep the spray back and forth

Home Maintenance

Inspect your house inside and out every spring and fall What should you look for?
bushes and trees needing trimmed exposed wires slips and falls culprits exterior damage

www.homesafetycouncil.org

Slips, Trips and Falls, oh my!

Culprits: Unsecured rugs Slippery bath mats in the tub Stairs without railings and adequate lighting Floor and stair clutter Icy steps outside Wires from laptops, heating pads, floor lamps, and chargers

Dont fall!
Prevention: Carry small loads Grasp stair railings Tape and secure rugs and bath mats Keep stairs clear of clutter or toys

Food Safety

Step one be clean

Dont just wash hands, but all surfaces, utensils and food Proper cleanliness can help prevent food borne illness

Food Safety

Step two separate

Put cold foods in grocery cart last Keep meat away from other foods in cart and grocery bags Use separate cutting boards for meat and other foods Throw away extra sauce and marinade that has touched raw meat

Food Safety

Step three cook and store

Cook foods to a safe temperature to kill all bacteria use a food thermometer Stir foods as you cook to ensure they are cooked thoroughly Cover foods being cooked in the microwave Keep your fridge at 40 degrees and freezer at zero degrees to keep food safe Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of eating

Food Safety - Perishables

Keep or throw away if theres a power outage and you have foods in fridge or freezer?
power outage is more than 4 hours food is over 40 degrees for more than 2 hours if it has come in contact with raw meat juices
THROW ANY OF THESE FOODS AWAY

Food Safety canned goods

Keep or throw away?
Foods stored in area cooler than 75 degrees Foods 1 year past date of purchase Foods beyond best if used by dates
Canned food has a shelf life of at least two years from the date of processing. Canned food retains its safety and nutritional value well beyond two years, but it may have some variation in quality, such as a change of color and texture. Source Canned Food Alliance

Emergency Preparedness

Know what might happen Make an emergency plan Assemble an emergency kit Communicate the plan with your family Listen to community officials

What to do if you STAY What to do if you GO

While You Are Away

How can you make your home look the same?

Use timers to create the appearance of someone home Have a neighbor keep an eye out Unplug electronics that arent needed Check all windows and doors Let local police know you will be away

While You Are Away

Secure all valuables in plain sight Make a showing on garbage day Dont start the washing machine, dryer or dishwasher before leaving home

For more information

Visit your wellness website: www.commonhealth.virginia.gov