Scouts have to identify safety hazards like the one pictured to earn the safety merit badge.
The Boy Scouts of America offers a merit badge in safety. As part of the public service field, the badge was created in 1927 and last revised in 2010. The merit badge has a "rare" designation because of the limited number of recipients. In 2007 only 3,600 Scouts earned the badge.
Earning the merit badge requires that the Scout consider safety in the home and in public places. Included in the merit badge requirements in the need for a home safety checklist review. Does this Spark an idea?
Stairways, Halls and Other Passageways
Tripping hazards should be removed from a staircase.
For all passageways the Scout checks to ensure that there are sufficient features to prevent injury. Ample and adequate lighting is required in all areas. It is not enough to have lights, they must be bright enough for the passageway's intended uses. For instance, an outdoor light should be bright enough to illuminate the sidewalk leading up to the stairs.
Hazards that could lead to trips or falls should also be investigated. Loose carpeting, toys, a lack of stable railing and a lack of gates are all concerns. Gates are only needed if small children or pets live in the house. Railings should be installed for more than three stairs.
Kitchen
Nothing should hang over the edge of a stove.
The kitchen is a potentially dangerous area. Fire safety is a primary concern. To prevent burns matches should be put away from where children can reach them. A fire extinguisher should be kept in the kitchen, and pot holders should be kept close to the stove. When using pots handles should be pointed inward so that they do not extend over the stove edge.
Cleaning chemicals need to be kept in a suitable place that kids cannot get into. All sharp objects need to be safely stored. Sharp objects include not only knives but also an thing with sharp edges, like the lids from cans that are opened using a can opener.
Bathroom
Surfaces should have non-stick coverings.
The bathroom requires safety features like slip-proof materials in the shower and on the floor. Also, handrails or other fixtures that allow people to maintain a proper grip and be stabilized while getting in and out of the shower are suggested.
Any medicines and vitamins need to be kept in a safe place. Medical supplies or chemicals should be labeled and kept in safe places. All dangerous substances should be out of reach for children.
Attic and Basement
The entryways for both of these areas need to be well-lit. The stairs need to be sturdy and have proper handrails. All dangerous materials should be properly stored, sealed and labeled. Any exposed beams should not have nails protruding from them and electrical outlets should be properly covered. All wires should be in fixed locations where nothing can easily catch on them and pull them.
Living Room and Dining Room
The common rooms of the home should be kept orderly. In the event of an emergency, furniture should not prohibit movement through the rooms. Movable furniture should be put in a reasonable place when not being used.
Any fires, either candles or fireplace fires, should be extinguished when not in use. Candles should be on plates or in containers so that the flame is not able to contact flammable surfaces, while the fireplace should have a snug-fitting screen.
Bedroom
Bedroom layout needs to be planned for emergencies that allow easy evacuation at night. The furniture should not prohibit movement to the door. A lamp or switch should be near the bed, and alarms should be maintained with fresh batteries.
Nursery
Cribs should meet safety requirements.
The greatest concern for newborns and toddlers is with the sleeping conditions. A crib needs to be securely and safely built. Bedding and pillows should not have loose fabric that can get caught and smother a child.
Toys should be soft and without sharp edges. Anything with paint, such as toys and windowsills, should gave non-toxic paint and houseplants should be non-poisonous.
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