• Keep all cleaning products, medicines and vitamins in the original container and in a locked cabinet that is out of sight and reach.

• If your home is over 40 years old, test for lead-based paint. Children can be poisoned by eating or breathing dust from lead paint.

• Post the nationwide Poison Control Center phone number, 1-800-222-1222, near all phones.

• Teach children to dial 9-1-1 if they think someone has eaten poison and there is no adult nearby.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of accidental deaths for children under 15. Children who are not buckled up are three and a half times more likely to be seriously injured in a crash than those who are restrained correctly.

Vehicle Safety Guidelines

• Never start the vehicle until all passengers are buckled.

• Infants should always ride in a rear-facing seat until they are 1 year old and weigh at least 20 pounds.

• After one year, keep using a safety seat until the child weighs 40 pounds.

• After outgrowing their child safety seats, children should sit in a booster seat until they are 8 years old.

• Children under 13 should always ride buckled up in the back seat.

Fire and Burn Prevention

Most fatal fires happen at night, so it is very important to have a smoke alarm in every room of your home. Some children do not wake up to the sound of the smoke alarm. A surprise fire drill will show you how your child will react and help everyone to stay calm during a real emergency.

Tips for Fire Safety

• Check smoke alarms regularly.

• Make an escape plan and practice it.

• Show your children many different ways to get out of the house.

• Remove all matches and lighters from children's reach.

• Keep cooking areas clean and uncluttered.

• Don't ever leave cooking food unattended.

• Teach children to stay 3 feet away from cooking areas.

• Always turn pot handles in so they can't be bumped or grabbed.

• Make sure space heaters are 3 feet away from walls, furniture or anything that could burn.

• Use outlet safety covers.

Bicycle Safety

Children ages 5 to 14 have the most bicycle accidents. These rules of bicycle safety can help children avoid serious injuries. Children should not ride near roads until they learn and follow these safety rules.

General Rules to Follow

• Always wear a helmet.

• Always wear protective shoes (no bare feet or sandals).

• Don't ride at dusk or at night.

• If riding at night is necessary, lights and reflective clothing must be used.

• Never carry another passenger on your bicycle.

• Your helmet should fit snugly but not too tightly.

• Your helmet should not move when you jerk your head.

• Your helmet should sit parallel to the ground, not tilted back.

• You should only be able to place two fingers between your eyebrows and the lower edge of the helmet.

• Keep helmet straps buckled at all times.