Avoiding Home Health Hazards

Dr. Jennifer Ashton Has Tips On Making Your House Safer

(CBS)  Former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson's 4-year-old daughter, Exodus Tyson died on Tuesday after she was found at home with a cable from a treadmill wrapped around her neck.

Accidental deaths in the home are common. On average, almost 900 children die each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from accidental strangulation -- and 45 percent of those deaths occur in the home.

So how can you keep your child safe?

Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton appeared on the show Wednesday with some tips on keeping youngsters safe at home.

Ashton told co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez how children can be strangled by window cords. Children often put their heads through the loop, she said, thinking that the cord is a toy and their necks get caught.

Ashton recommended tying up the cords, so they aren’t a temptation for kids.

Ashton pointed out another source of strangulation that you might not think of as a potential hazard: clothing.

She said things like pacifier cords, bags with long loops, some bibs that don’t release easily, phone cords, and hooded shirts with ties are all dangers for kids that can disrupt blood flow to the brain in a matter of minutes.

"The outside world is dangerous enough," Ashton said. "We need to safeguard the inside of the house, too."