A person with Alzheimer's disease may choke or suffocate. Keep all areas where people walk free of furniture. Throw out or recycle newspapers and magazines regularly. Avoid clutter, which can create confusion and danger.This reduces fire hazards, and with these reminders out of sight, the person may forget the desire to smoke. If the person with Alzheimer’s smokes, remove matches, lighters, ashtrays, cigarettes, and other means of smoking from view.Keep all alcohol in a locked cabinet or out of reach of the person with Alzheimer's.Child-resistant caps are available if needed. Each bottle of prescription medicine should be clearly labeled with the person's name, name of the drug, drug strength, dosage frequency, and expiration date. Keep all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) locked.Put a gate across the stairs if the person has balance problems. If possible, stairways should be carpeted or have safety grip strips. Stairways should have at least one handrail that extends beyond the first and last steps.Place light switches at the top and the bottom of stairs.Place red tape around floor vents, radiators, and other heating devices to deter the person with Alzheimer's from standing on or touching them when hot.Cover unused electrical outlets with childproof plugs.Tack extension cords to the baseboards of a room to avoid tripping. Avoid the use of extension cords if possible by placing lamps and appliances close to electrical outlets.Hide a spare house key outside in case the person with Alzheimer's disease locks you out of the house.Install alarms that notify you when a door or window is opened.Install secure locks on all outside doors and windows.Do not store these materials in an area where a gas pilot light is used. Avoid the use of flammable and volatile compounds near gas appliances.Check their functioning and batteries frequently. Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in or near the kitchen and all sleeping areas.Put all portable and cell phones and equipment in a safe place so they will not be easily lost. Turn ringers on low to avoid distraction and confusion. A person with Alzheimer's disease often may be unable to take messages or could become a victim of telephone exploitation. Use an answering machine when you cannot answer phone calls, and set it to turn on after the fewest number of rings possible.Display emergency numbers and your home address near all telephones.Anything that’s sharp (like razors), poisonous (like expired medication), or a choking hazard (like Q-tips), has to be thrown out in a can that’s inside a locked cabinet or has a childproof lid. If you must have a trash can, be super-vigilant about what you toss in it. Keep them in a high, locked cabinet, not out around the sink or underneath it.ĭo without one, if you’re able, since they’re so accessible - and tempting. And attach a soft cover to the spout, like Munchkin’s adorable Bubble Ducky Spout Guard, to prevent bumped noggins $8, at Target stores. It stops the flow if the water gets too hot. If you live in an apartment or don’t have a separate water heater, buy an anti-scald device (available at hardware stores). Set the water heater in your house to 120 degree Farenheit - warm enough for showers and baths, but not scalding. Line the bottom with a slip-resistant mat so no one takes a tumble. KidCo’s model works on both hard seats and padded/covered seats $17, .īuy a skid-proof one to prevent slips and falls. Install a toilet lock that resets itself as the seat is being lowered. Put one on the inside, too - multiple Babytalk staffers have been locked out by their toddlers! KidCo makes ones for round knobs and lever-style handles $7 for a two-pack doorknob lock, $9 for one door-lever lock. Here’s how to recognize the trouble spots and make them safe for your little daredevil.Īdd a childproof cover, one that only adults have the strength and coordination to easily open, so your child can’t get in without you. You know to cover the electrical outlets, but other hazards in your bathroom are less obvious. Keep your little one safe with these childproofing tips
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