Every region poses its own kinds of potential disasters--tornadoes in Kansas, earthquakes in California, hurricanes in Florida—and crime in most cities. Childproofing throughout the house is important, but accident statistics show that some jobs are more urgent than others. Following are a few top-priority tasks that will make your home much safer in just a few minutes.

Look to community resources for ways to defend against your particular environmental threats. Where crime rates are high, police departments usually offer expert advice on home security measures, as well as self-defense tactics.

Contact public health agencies or the local chapter of the American Red Cross for specifics on how to prepare for a natural disaster. As in preparing ahead in case of fire, teach everyone in the family what to do if disaster strikes-and have practice drills.

Emergency numbers
On a separate card to be posted by each phone in the house, write down the numbers for the following:

• Police, fire department, ambulance (in many areas, 911 will connect you with all of these; if the 911 number is not in operation in your area, dial 0 for operator)
• Poison control center
• Family physicians
• Health plan medical number
• 24-hour pharmacy number
• Any other numbers that might be important, such as those of parents' work, neighbors, relatives, and friends.

First aid supplies

Keep a fully supplied first aid kit both at home, out of small children's reach, and in the car.

• Sterilized gauze squares (assorted sizes)
• Roller gauze (one each of 1-inch, 2-inch, and 3-inch sizes)
• Eye pads
• Three triangular bandages
• Adhesive bandage packet
• Roll of adhesive tape (1/2- or 1-inch wide)
• Small scissors
• Tweezers
• One oral, one rectal thermometer
• Tongue blades and wooden applicator sticks
• Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Safety pins (assorted sizes)
• Soap or other cleansing agent
• Any regularly taken, critical medication prescribed by your doctor
• Syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting (only to be used in consultation with your doctor or local poison control center)
• Copy of American Red Cross handbook Standard First Aid & Personal Safety

TIP: Periodically refresh the medications in your first aid kit to ensure their potency.

Listed are supplies that the American Red Cross recommends for a first aid kit. In many communities, the local chapter of the organization also sells (or can order) the kit shown below, designed for home or car. Also available is a pamphlet on first aid. Complement these supplies by taking a class in first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from your local American Red Cross chapter or other community resource.

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