Military Families: Know your hidden hazards

The safety of military children should not be sacrificed at home

News provided by

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Apr 28, 2014, 03:52 ET

WASHINGTON, April 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CPSC joins the Department of Defense (DoD) in supporting military children and recognizing the sacrifices they and their parents make. At CPSC, we want military families to be aware of the hidden hazards that can pose safety risks in military housing. CPSC believes that the safety of military kids should not be sacrificed while in the comfort of their homes. During the DoD's Month of the Military Child, CPSC urges military families to set aside some time to learn how to prevent tragedies that have taken the lives of too many young children:

Unintentional Poisoning: Reduce the risk of unintentional poisoning in your homes by thinking outside the box and beyond medicine and kitchen cabinets.

Furniture and Appliance Tip-Over: Take simple, low-cost steps to prevent tip-overs of furniture, TVs and appliances. As we say, "Anchor It and Protect A Child."

Strangulation: Go cordless with your window blinds and shades to prevent cord strangulations.

Falls from Windows: Always keep in mind that window screens will keep bugs out, but won't keep children in.

In-Home Drowning: Be aware that children can drown quickly and silently in containers of water inside the home as well as in outdoor pools.

Also, make sure you are using children's products -- like cribs, play yards and strollers -- that meet up-to-date safety requirements.

Kids, especially children in military families, have to adapt to a lot of things while growing up. No matter whether you live on or off base, we encourage you to take the simple steps that can prevent these home hazards from hurting your child.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission