For kids, safety lessons boil down to a few essentials: Look both ways before crossing. Stop, drop and roll. Don't talk to strangers. Adults have more to think about: Our homes, families and vehicles all deserve as much protection as possible. Help safeguard the people -- and things -- that mean the most to you with these easy tips.

1. Prevent slips by securing rugs with foam backing or double-sided tape. And remove extension cords from under rugs -- you'll reduce the chance of someone tripping or starting an electrical fire.

2. Make sure you have a kitchen fire extinguisher -- and that your entire family knows how to use it. Teach them the National Fire Protection Association PASS system:

• Pull the pin.
• Aim low, pointing the extinguisher toward the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever slowly.
• Sweep the extinguisher nozzle side to side, until the fire is out.

3. Prevent tub and shower tiles from cracking, leaking and causing water damage by repairing loose or missing grout and caulking as needed.

4. If the temperatures in your area drop below freezing, disconnect the garden hose and shut off outside water faucets to keep pipes from freezing. If you're going away for the holidays, keep your home heated to at least 65°F and open cabinet doors beneath sinks.

5. Check your outdoor deck for signs of decay and instability. Repair rotted areas or loose or cracked boards. Treat your deck with a water sealant to prevent moisture damage.

6. Don't use a cell phone while driving. Studies show that drivers who talk on phones while driving are four times more likely to be in accidents than drivers who don't. If you need to make or respond to a call, pull over to the side of the road.

7. Make sure portable space heaters have been tested and approved by a reputable organization such as the American Gas Association (AGA) or Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Keep flammable items at least 3 feet away from heaters. Shut heaters off before leaving the room or going to sleep.

8. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet helps prevent accidental electrocutions in areas where water and electricity may mix. If you don't already have a circuit breaker GFCI or wall receptacle GFCIs located in the kitchen, bath, laundry, workshop and pool area, consider having them installed. To learn how to test your home's GFCIs for maximum effectiveness (monthly or after an electrical storm) log on to http://www.ul.com/consumers/ groundfault.html.

10. Check older window coverings for unsafe inner cords and pull cords, which may cause accidental strangulation, especially in young children. Blinds and draperies manufactured since 1994 are designed to help prevent such risks. For a free cord fix-it kit, call the Window Safety Council at 1-800-506-4636.

11. Help prevent an appliance fire by cleaning your clothes dryer's lint basket after every use. At least twice a year, pull the dryer away from the wall to clean the areas behind and underneath it, and remove accumulated dust and lint from the vent and exhaust hose.

12. Purchase a fire-resistant home safe to store important papers, such as your home's abstract, car title, bank account information, trust documents and a copy of your will. Underwriters Laboratories suggests purchasing security containers marked Class 350, which specifically protect paper documents.

13. Move leftover lawn mower gasoline from the garage to a locked shed away from your home. Store it in small quantities in approved containers designed for gasoline storage. Find the gasoline collection center nearest you by visiting www.gas-care.org.

14. Lock your luggage out of sight during holiday travels. Keep video cameras, cameras, computer equipment and other valuables in the trunk or keep them with you at all times. Never leave them visible in your car, especially during rest stops; thieves can spot rental and out-of-state cars easily.

15. Install carbon monoxide alarms near your fireplace, furnace and any sleeping areas in the house. Since carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless and potentially lethal, it's important you know immediately if the concentration of carbon monoxide becomes unsafe. Have your fireplace flue -- and the drafts of all fuel-burning appliances -- cleaned once a year to prevent ventilation blockages that can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.

16. Use a crosscut paper shredder to help thwart identity theft. Destroy documents that contain personal financial information -- credit card applications or old bank statements -- before disposing of them.

17. Post emergency numbers at each phone in your home. Include the fire department, police, poison control center, your family doctor and veterinarian. Check at least once a year to make sure the numbers are current.

18. Make sure children younger than 12 years old always ride in the back seat of the car, away from air bags. Use approved car seats for infants. For toddlers who weigh between 20 and 40 pounds, keep harness straps at or above shoulder level. For children under 57 inches in height, use a belt-positioning booster seat with a lap belt that fits low and tight and a shoulder belt that lays snugly across their chests and shoulders.