Medical emergencies can be unpredictable and sometimes very traumatic. No one plans for an emergency. That’s why it is so important to be prepared.

Prevention remains the best cure, especially for accidents that can happen in the home. In fact, most homes probably could be safer. To help you keep your home safe, follow these tips from the American College of Emergency Physicians:

• Keep emergency numbers on each telephone.
• Have a first aid kit on hand stocked with appropriate items, including syrup of ipecac, bandages, gauze, antiseptic ointment, ice bags and a first aid manual.
• Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor; replace batteries twice a year.
• Make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street, so that emergency response personnel can find your home quickly.
• Develop and rehearse an emergency evacuation plan with your family in case of fire.
• Keep on hand and make sure family members know how to use lifesaving equipment, such as a fire extinguisher and an escape ladder.
• Keep electrical cords out of children’s reach.
• Set your hot water thermostat to no more than 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Use child-resistant safety latches on cabinets and drawers to help prevent children from getting at harmful substances. Never story chemicals or medicines in food containers.
• Keep toys with small parts and other small objects out of reach of toddlers and young children.
• Don’t depend on insect screens to keep small children from falling out a window. Install window guards to keep children from falling out.
• If you have firearms, make sure they are unloaded, stored and locked properly.

In the event of an emergency, it’s important to know what to do AND what not to do. Knowing CPR and choking rescue procedures can be a great advantage, especially if you have small children in the house. Family members should also know the basics of first aid, including how to stop bleeding, manage shock or handle fractures until help arrives. Your local American Red Cross or American Heart Association chapter may offer CPR and first aid classes.

Just as important as knowing basic first aid is knowing what not to do in an emergency. A classic example is poison control. While it’s smart to keep syrup of ipecac in the house in case a child swallows poison, it should not be used with all poisons. You should first call the Poison Control Center or the emergency department for advice. In addition, you should never move anyone who is unconscious, has struck his head or was injured in a car crash unless the person is in danger. When treating burns, do not use ice or butter or petroleum jelly.

If you have any questions about home safety, contact your local American Red Cross.