Does your home have carpets that slide when you step on them, electrical outlets that are overloaded with too many appliances, handrails that are too shaky, or other potentially dangerous home-related hazards such as slippery bathroom surfaces?
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (NAAAA), too many older Americans probably answer "yes" to these questions -- but usually after they have been involved in accidents in and around their home. This potential accident situation could get worse because of the accelerating growth in this country's population of citizens aged 65 and older.
In 1987, a record 12 percent of America's population will be 65 years of age or older. According to CPSC estimates, more than 600,000 persons 65 and over are treated each year in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with products in the home. The annual cost of all medically attended injuries from accidents to persons 65 and older is estimated at approximately $3 billion.
CPSC Chairman Terrence Scanlon reported that among the most frequent accidents involving older people are:
--Falls in the bathroom and on the stairs. --Burns and smoke inhalation from fires. --Scalds from hot tap water. --Electric shock. Special efforts are needed to reduce the deaths and injuries from homerelated accidents among our more vulnerable citizens.
Therefore, CPSC and NAAAA are collaborating on a Home Safety Program to help older people identify hazards in their homes and take steps to avoid them. Working through Area Agencies on Aging -- the primary network for reaching older people throughout the U.S. -- CPSC and NAAAA will present seminars to groups of senior citizens. People will be encouraged to use the CPSC "Home Safety Checklist for Older Consumers" to check their own homes. A video and slide/tape on home safety will also be shown during the presentations. CPSC will work with Area Agencies on Aging in the following cities: Seattle, Washington; Los Angeles, California; Dallas, Texas; East Orange, New Jersey; Cookeville, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; Suburban Cook County, Illinois; St. Paul, Minnesota; Baltimore, County, Maryland: and Washington, DC. Each of the Area Agencies on Aging plans to reach approximately 1,500 older people through seminars this spring. In addition, approximately 300 Area Agencies on Aging throughout the U.S. are using the CPSC "Home Safety Checklist" and videotape on home safety. Through these efforts, CPSC and NAAAA intend to improve the quality of life of seniors by reducing the number of potential accidents in the home.
Consumers may order a free copy of the CPSC "Home Safety Checklist for Older Consumers" by sending a postcard to CPSC, Washington, DC 20207.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
For lifesaving information:
- Visit CPSC.gov.
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- Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
- Call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 800-638-8270).
- Contact a media specialist.
Please use the below phone number for all media requests.
Phone: (301) 504-7908
Spanish: (301) 504-7800