Here are tips to make home furnishings safe for families

To ensure days are free of any accidents and emergencies, the American Home Furnishings Alliance offers this quick home safety checklist.

•In with the new. If you've purchased new outdoor furnishings, review the manufacturer's tags for important safety information. Save tags with care and maintenance instructions, as well as contact information for replacement pieces or components.

•Out with the old. Examine older outdoor furnishings for surfaces that may have become splintered or rusted. Look for bent or broken mechanisms. Repair or replace damaged pieces to prevent injuries.

•Party of one on the recliner, please. Just like indoor recliners, the outdoor versions should be used by only one person at a time. Children should never play or climb on recliners.

•Don't mix toys and tabletops. Outdoor tabletops are often constructed of tile or tempered glass for added strength. Nevertheless, children should never be allowed to play on tabletops with toys that could potentially shatter the surface.

•Be open to reviewing umbrella safety. Don't allow children to play with or operate the umbrella and make sure it is adequately weighted to prevent tipping over. Always close and store umbrellas when storms are in the forecast.

•Plan an indoor furniture checkup, too. Search for worn-out pieces that need repair or replacement, such as chairs or tables with loose joinery, surfaces that have become splintered, doors or drawers that do not operate properly and shelves that sag and could break or fall.

•Just dump it. Broken chairs, discarded mattresses and unused furniture can become a serious hazard when left anywhere that children play, including in a basement or garage. Plan for prompt and appropriate disposal of any old or broken furnishings found.

•Take a stand on TV safety. When upgrading the television, also upgrade TV cabinetry. If the television is improperly secured or inappropriately positioned on furniture not designed to house televisions, it may tip over. Never allow children to climb on or play with furniture housing electronics.

•Take control of clutter. Falls are a leading cause of injury in the home. Lessen the likelihood by providing ample storage for clutter in toy boxes, bookshelves, decorative baskets and cabinets. For families with small children, select lower-height bookshelves and anchor them to the wall. Do not overload shelves, and never store toys or "treats" in high places that will tempt youngsters to climb to reach them.

•Update the family's fire safety plan. Don't leave matches, candles, fireworks or grill lighters within the reach of children. When buying new upholstery, be sure it carries the Upholstered Furniture Action Council (UFAC) hangtag, which ensures that the piece was manufactured to meet the industry's voluntary fire safety standards.

•Tune in, but safely. If the area around the computer or television resembles a jungle of wires upon wires, it's a potential hazard, both to the family and the electronic equipment. Consider new furnishings specifically designed to house electronics and manage accompanying wiring, or create a new room arrangement to prevent tripping hazards.

•Rules for the safest sleepovers. Children should never be allowed to play or climb on furniture, especially on bunk beds, dressers or shelving units. If children are young, consider a friendly review of these rules with any new guest invited to spend the night.

This story is provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.