Home Safety
Home Safety
Home Safety

Definition: Unintentional injuries that occur in and around the home can include burns, falls, drowning, poisonings (including from lead, carbon monoxide, household cleaners, and prescription medications), animal bites, and choking/suffocation.
Magnitude of the Problem: According to the CDC:
- Home and recreation injuries account for one third of all injury-related emergency room visits.
- Over 4 out of 5 fire deaths in happened in peoples' homes.
- Younger children are more at risk for scalding burns resulting from hot liquids or steam while older children have more injuries due to direct flame burns.
- 374 children ages 0 to 19 are treated in an emergency department and two children die as a result of being poisoned each day in the U.S., according to the CDC.
Prevention: Home injuries are preventable. Raising awareness among parents and caregivers of the risks of injuries to children in the home, and the importance of implementing safety measures, is the first step in preventing home injuries to children. Home safety checklists are useful tools for parents to assess the risk of injury in their homes. Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm give-away programs in at-risk communities are also useful tools to protect public health. Ensuring playground equipment is safe and properly maintained and has a soft landing surface can help prevent fall injuries in children. Strong State child care licensing regulations can help keep children safe in at-home child care settings.
More information is available under the following injury topic pages: Choking & Strangulation; Drowning Prevention; Fire & Burn Safety; Playground Safety; Poison Prevention; Safe Sleep
CSN Publications
- Products and activities associated with non-fatal traumatic brain injuries in children and adolescents – United States 2010-2013 Aug 2019
- Consumer Products Contributing to Fall Injuries in Children Aged <1 to 19 Years Treated in US Emergency Departments, 2010 to 2013: An Observational Study Jan 2019
CSN Resource Guide
- Internet Safety: 2014 Resource Guide Nov 2014
CSN Infographics
CSN Webinars
CSN Blogs
Injury Prevention Links
Useful Publications
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - Playground Safety Publications Jun 2015
- Product Instability or Tip-Over Injuries and Fatalities Associated with Televisions, Furniture, and Appliances: 2012 Report | CP Nov 2012
- CPSC’s Submersion Report 2012: Drowning Deaths Around the Home Sep 2012
- Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 3rd Apr 2012
- Determining When Your Child is Ready to Stay Home Alone Feb 2012
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - Poison Prevention Publications Oct 2011
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - Household Safety Publications Oct 2011
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - Drowning Prevention Publications Oct 2011