After participating in the workshop, learners will be able to:

• Identify five common safety hazards in the home.
• Describe three things you can do to prevent falls in the home.
• Describe the process for poison proofing the home.
• Name five foods that may cause choking for small children.
• Identify three things parents should do to ensure children’s safety around water.
• Name three additional home safety concerns.
  

Teaching plan for a 45 minute workshop (17 slides & notes).

1. Print this section of the Healthy Homes booklet to use for handout material.
2. Make copies of the Home Safety Pre-test and Post test.
   
   At the beginning of the session distribute the Pre-Test. Ask the audience to take the quiz, informing them that it is voluntary and anonymous. Have them pass the completed tests to the back of the room, where they can be placed on a back table or chair.
3. Since home safety is a concern of everyone, a good way to start this program is to ask the audience what kinds of home safety issues they personally have had recently.
   • Has anyone fallen?
   • Have there been instances where small children have gotten into things they should not?
   • Has anyone had any choking instances? What kinds of things did they choke on?
   • What about safety issues around water?

   We all learn from each other so this is a good way to draw your audience into the learning experience, and get their input and insight into real life experiences.

4. Invite your local fire department to come to the presentation and present information about fire safety. If they can not attend, maybe they will provide you with local statistics about fires in your community or the types of calls they get related to poisons and choking instances.

5. After the slide presentation, ask the audience about other safety issues in and around the home. There are many others, some covered in different modules in the Healthy Homes series. When adding to the presentation, a section on electrical safety in the home is a good choice. Information about electrical safety can be found at the Electrical Safety Foundation International web site.

6. At the end of the program, distribute the Post-Test. Ask the audience to complete the test and leave it on a back table or chair as they leave the room. Inform them that the test is voluntary and anonymous, but the information will be used for program improvements and Extension reporting.

7. Thank everyone for coming, and let them know that you are available for questions.
   

The American Red Cross

The Consumer Products Safety Commission
800-638-2772

Electrical Safety Foundation International

National SAFE KIDS Campaign
202-662-0600

National Safety Council
612-285-1121

Additional information for your presentation.
(From the June 2005 Personal Best Publication)

Safer by the Dozen

• Clean clutter from traffic areas and stairs.
• Use caution in the kitchen to avoid cuts and burns.
• Secure loose rugs to the floor with carpet tape or non-skid padding.
• Use No-slip mats and grab bars in tubs and showers.
• Keep a phone and operable flashlight close to your bed for emergencies.
• Mount fire extinguishers (BC or ABC Type) in your kitchen or other key areas.
• Maintain smoke alarms in key areas on every floor.
• Maintain adequate lighting, especially in staircases.
• Mount sensor lights outdoors to discourage intruders and light your way at night.
• Apply exterior house numbers easily visible to emergency vehicles.
• Maintain a disaster kit with water, flashlight, blankets, non-perishable food, and other items for emergency situations.
• Keep a first aid kit handy for initial care when injuries occur.