Stocked Up and Safe at Home

· LED emergency lights use less power than regular light bulbs and go on when the electricity cuts out. The LED Light ( http://theledlight.com) sells a double emergency power light that runs six to eight hours on a fully charged six-volt battery, for $235.95. The company also carries a combined LED flashlight and lantern that runs on two AAA batteries for $25. Other stores sell similar products. For an old-fashioned approach to lighting, consider kerosene lamps, which are available for about $60.

Beware of Fire

Fire claimed the lives of more than 3,245 people in 2006 in the United States. More than 80 percent of those deaths occurred in homes, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

· Smoke alarms are a must. So are carbon monoxide detectors. Some companies sell units with both functions; for instance, there's a Kidde unit for about $40. Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council in Washington, said smoke alarms should be placed on every floor and in each bedroom. For children, there are special smoke alarms that sound off with recordings of a parent's voice. Some detectors are wired together so that when one sounds, they all do. The council suggests installing at least one carbon monoxide detector in the home, preferably outside the bedrooms.

· Home sprinkler systems are becoming more common, particularly in higher-end homes. The Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office says some jurisdictions, including Montgomery and Prince George's counties, require sprinkler systems in new homes. The price is usually about 1 percent of the building cost, twice that for existing homes. The Virginia Department of Fire Programs and the D.C. Fire Department recommend sprinkler systems in homes, even in areas where the law doesn't require them. Newer multifamily buildings are generally required to have these systems.

· Ladders are useful for escaping through the windows in life-or-death situations. Some stores sell fold-up ladders that attach to windows or can be stored under a bed. Home Depot sells a 15-foot one for about $80.

· Fire e xtinguishers are recommended. Most house fires start in the kitchen, though the Home Safety Council advises against using an extinguisher on a pan fire. (Smother it with a pan lid instead.) Prices for extinguishers generally range from $16 to $60. Home Depot sells a HomeHero extinguisher for $24.97. It's "good-looking enough" to sit on the kitchen counter, says spokeswoman Jean Niemi. The home-improvement chain operates an emergency-response center during hurricane season to dispense products.

Anticipating Accidents

Safety precautions in the home matter. In 2006, 29 children younger than 6 died from poisoning, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Additionally, the center reported more than 700 serious poisoning incidents involving young children and more than 400,000 minor cases.

About 3,800 people are burned each year by scalding tap water and more than 30 die, according to the Home Safety Council. Falls also account for a frightening number of injuries and deaths. In 2005, more than 15,800 people 65 or older died of fall-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another 1.8 million fell and were treated in emergency departments.

· Childproof locks on cabinets can prevent children from swallowing a cleaning chemical or a prescription medicine. Many locks go for less than $10.

· A nti-scalding devices can prevent burns. American Valve and other companies sell anti-scalding devices. American Valve sells the H2otStop for showers and bathtubs; it cuts off water flow when the temperature gets too high. The primary distributor is Lowe's, and the products sell for less than $25. Another way to prevent scalding is to adjust the temperature in the water heater; the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends 120 degrees.

· Grab bars can be installed around bathtubs, showers and toilets to prevent falls. Bars range in size from 12 to 24 inches; prices are about $35 to $60 at Lowe's.

Nature's Worst

The natural world isn't always friendly, either. Floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and thunderstorms kill people and cause hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of damage every year.