Tips to help prevent consumer product related injuries in seniors

(KOAM) -- Thousands of seniors age 65 and older are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year due to consumer product injuries.

That's according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission . The organization says one way to help prevent injuries is to spot them and correct them ahead of time.

To prevent falls

• Make sure stairs and other areas of the home are well lighted.
• Install handrails, and remove tripping hazards, like area rugs.

To address the risk of fires

• Use carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.
• Install a smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and on every flood or the home.
• Install a carbon monoxide alarm outside of sleeping areas.
• Carefully use and maintain space heaters, fireplaces, and all fuel-burning appliances.

For more information about how to protect seniors from falling or to be informed of fire dangers, click here .

Informative video from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

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