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BRIGHT IDEAS FOR A SAFE HOME

by Jan Reynolds

Sylvania Residential Lighting and Color Consultant

Home, Sweet Home may be a nostalgic phrase, but Home, Safe Home is certainly a practical one. The
safest home is usually the sweetest , and

alittle

care and understanding of home accidents, their cause and

cure would eliminate much sorrow, pain and unhappiness.

More accidents happen in homes than on the highways, skyways and railways. Injuries and fatalities from falls, burns, poison, suffocation, fire-arms and similar hazatds around the house can be avoided.

Most of them are the result of

dents

carelessness

or neglect

neglect is identified with the lack of adequate lighting. Sure, quick seeing is essential

and not the least of such carelessness and

in avoiding

acci-

and properly located lighting, however, can help prevent such accidents and insure the quick and certain seeing needed.

whether around stairs, paths and stairways, sharp tools and knives, or in the bathroom. Good,

LIGHT YOUR STAY

OUTSIDE

The doorway to a home can be either the smile or the frown that
greets a visitor. For appearance as well as for safety, the
r@L

intelligent homeowner illuminates the door and steps. Many

mishaps may be prevented with good lighting, and a well

lighted exterior will discourage prowlers. Iflherever

possible, a

rTE

light on each side of the door is preferable, not only to help recognition of callers, but also to adequately light up the doorway and walk. If only one can be used, be sure it is mounted on the loch
side of the door.

If you have steps down to the walk,

be

sure these are well illuminated to Prevent missteps and falls.

The "path of light" to and from your home

and back

mean a safer home for you and your famiLy. - will

front, side

tI

Iti

Vhite coated bulb A minimum of 60 watts in each socket is recommended - preferably the Soft to eliminate hor spors of light and to give more diffused lighting. Remember that too bright a light can be more annoying and often more dangerous than too little light. However, any light source used
should be properly shielded, so that the brightness of the bulb will not be distracting to anyone coming

up the walk.

i-

r
I

Make sure all outdoor convenience outlets are weatherprooi

strategically located for maximum use. Adjustable spor or flood lighting from under eaves or
overhangs of the house itself, as well as the gange, is one

more way to assure safe coming and going. Of course,

these units should be located high enough, and adjusted

will not shine direcly inro anyone's eyes. One at each side of the garage door is recommended ro
so that they give good illumination. This type of lighring will make

the family actually feel safer as they come home after dark.

TIGHT YOUR NTAY

INSIDE

The danger of uipping and falling increases when articles are left on
stairs

to be carried up or down later on

toys around on srairs or in hallways. That's why a shielded fixture

at the top and bottom of all stairways is imperative. A three-way

or when children leave

control switch

will mean that fixtures can be turned on and off from both floors, to assure safe passage from one floor to another.
Remember your basemenr area too. A good shielded fixture

also at borh top and bottom

of

srairs

ffi

is essential here. Three-way swirch conrrol is imperarive.

If

bare bulbs are visible, when descending or ascending stairs,

"blinding" from glare can cause a misstep and perhaps a nasty accident. Use care in selecting your hall and stairway lighting units.
a sudden Small Nite Lites which plug into convenience ourlers hallways, bathrooms, bedrooms, etc.

for anyone walking around the house during the night time hours. They afford enough lighr for dark-adapted eyes,
and yet are not bright enough to disturb other sleepers.

provide safe seeing

in

Don't walk across a darkened room

regardless of what room

wall switch at rhe enrrance (and exir) of each room.

be sure you have

So,

in your home is to be considered

kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room, dining room

or hallway

Avoid stumbling blindly in the dark for a remotely located switch. Provide your home with ceiling unirs, or switch controlled convenience outlets into which floor, wall or table lamps may be plugged

there slrould always be a light that can be snapped on immediately before entering.

to turn on immediately.

For safety and convenience too, Panelescentts Nite Lite Switch Plates made by Sylvania, are an excellent

idea. They glow green in the dark for quickly locating the light switch

at the same time act as a night

light.

LIGHT YOUR \trORK

INSIDE

Fewer cut, bruised or burned fingers or hands

will result,

if you

have properly located

lighting in your kitchen.

Direct lighting over the sink, range and other work

surfaces

will help insure proper seeing. Provide

lighting over ironing boards, ironers, and other

moving machinery in your utility area.lt will make

@@

your laundry duties much easier and certainly more

pleasant. Don't work in your own shadow, because you
have an inadequate center ceiling fixture. Install your lighting

@@'

equipment just where you need it. Be sure you locate your convenlence
ouders far enough away so that there is little chance of having wet hands that can easily reacha nearby plugged-in appliance or fixture that could cause a shock.

In many localities, laws prevent the placing of switches and outlets in proximity to bath tubs or showers. In some states it is contrary to the
electrical code to install convenience outlets in the bathroom
area,

close

or even to have the light switch inside the area.

be located on the outside wall

It must

of

the bathroom itself. Install moisture proof fixtures in stall showers.

Illumination over bath tubs in large bathrooms is an

added safety precaution. Don't take a chance of slipping

on a cake of soap and injurying yourself. Frequently,

we read of a person reaching for a light switch, turning

IW

on a heater, or even a radio while bathing or taking cution. Such tragic occurrences can be eliminated.

shower. This may mean a severe shock or even electro-

Don't take chances on misreading labels on medicine bottles,

at the mirror area. Lighting on each side of the mirror and another unit over the top of the mirror will mean far fewer razor cuts as well as smoother make-up results.

because

of

dim light. Provide ample general lighting, plus additional lighting

!7hile puttering in your workshop or

presses, etc.

garage have plenty

of light, particularly when using power saws, drill An industrial two-lamp,

4O

watt (45")

fluorescent fixture provides excellent illumination.

i {
I

Be sure that this unit (or units) covers at least

,wo thirds of the work surface. Or use a 150

wam

silver bowl bulb in an appropriate reflector for every five

or six feet of work bench space. Supplement either of these

incandescent or fluorescent units with a 75 or 150 watt flood or spotlight

in an adjustable socket

will

save many a cut finger or hand.

for close, exacting work. This type of lighting

10 SAFETY RULES
1.

TO KEEP IN MIND

Keep spare incandescent bulbs and fluorescent

tubes handy for burnouts. This compact little

home storage unit will hold an ample supply of various wattage bulbs. It also holds four extra fuses.
2.

Keep extra fuses on hand. Be sure you

and

fi

other members of your family know how

l,

to

replace a fuse or reset a circuit breaker.

Be certain all fuses are of the correct ampere.

If in doubt, consult your local power or utility

company or an electrician.

4. In case of temporary power failure, have flashlights and/or

spots, ready for immediate use.

candles

a number of handy

If your appliances

seem

to be sluggish and not operating properly, and you find fuses blow-

ing too frequently, check with your local power or utility company. Something's wrong.

5.
6.

Replace all electrical switches (wall types or those used

with lamps or fixtures), if they are

not working properly.

Be sure that all frayed cords or cracked plugs and coverings are replaced too.

If

the insula-

tion around wires becomes thin or completely broken through, you may get an electric shock from touching the wire, or it may cause a short circuit.
-7

Loose connections

, fnyed

wires, and similar hazards should be repaired at once.

8.

If you plan to repair or install new wiring for wall switches, dimming

equipment or Permanently installed lighting units, be sufe to consult a qualified electrician. Gange fires are infrequent, but it is advisable to locate switches and receptacles well above

9.

floor level to avoid possible trouble from arcing within switches, and when disconnecting
plugs from receptacles. That's because gasoline vapors are heavy and tend to settle toward
rhe floor, and when mixed with air (in correct proportion) there is a danger of ignition.

10. If you are building

a new home, why not consider installing a master control panel

in the

master bedroom, for the control of specific lighting within and outside the house. This type

of low voltage, remote control switching provides a high degree of safety. It could immediately turn on lights in the kitchen, basement, garuge, as well as the front and back doors.
So, as you can see,

with a few precautions the average home of today can become not only attractive

and decorative, but also a very safe home.