As much as people would like to think otherwise, accidents within the home are responsible for a large number of hospital visits across the country, affecting the very young and the older generation in particular. Thankfully, many of these incidents would be avoidable if the correct safety measures are put in place around the home to protect people from harm. Creating a safe space for your family is, of course, a top priority, both for the sake of everyone’s health, but also for your own peace of mind. If you are looking to minimize the risk of accident or injury inflicting people within your home, then here are a few tips you can follow to make the environment secure.
Reducing the risk of fire
Fires are one of the most common accidents to occur with the home, as there are so many different factors which can cause a fire to start, and you can read more here on fire hazards to ensure you know what to look out for within the home. In fact, it’s more than likely that at some point in your life, you have had to deal with a small fire, such as a candle flame which has gotten out of control, or a pan on the stove overheating. While these sorts of problems can be managed if you act quickly and are aware of them as they are happening, it is easy for a fire to get out of control if it goes unnoticed.
You can start fireproofing your home by making sure to install smoke alarms throughout the home, including on each floor of the house. These should be regularly tested and the batteries changed periodically to ensure they are working correctly. This one simple measure could protect you from the damages of smoke inhalation. Never leave the stove or an open flame unattended, and unplug electrical items which aren’t being used. You should also be on the lookout for anything which could cause a fire by overheating.
Protect against bathroom accidents
Your bathroom may seem like a harmless area of the house, but in fact, it is a prime location for injuries. Slippery showers and wet bathroom floors are exactly the sort of hazards which could cause someone to fall and sustain an injury in some way. You can prevent the likelihood of injury by placing slip-proof grips or mats in showers and bathtubs, as this will avoid someone slipping on slick surfaces. If anyone elderly will be using your bathroom, you can install bars within showers to help them support themselves and to provide something to grab onto if they are feeling unsteady.
Floor mats are great for reducing the amount of excess moisture on slippery surfaces, and it is best to get ones which have a rubber underside to avoid the mat slipping and causing further injury. It may also be a good idea to advise your family to mop up any excess water which does get onto the floor. Try and keep your bathroom as free from clutter as you can to avoid falls, and keep the floors and surfaces clean of soap and other toiletry residue which could contribute to further incidents.
Tripping hazards and dangerous obstacles
It is easy for the home to become cluttered, especially if you have small children who have a tendency to leave their toys and other items scattered around the home. However, as you may have found out for yourself, small items which are left strewn around can easily cause tripping hazards. This is especially true when you have elderly guests visiting the home, as they may not be able to dodge obstacles as easily as you can, or may not even notice them. Different tripping hazards could include rugs with turned up corners, loose carpets, gaps in hardwood floors, running wires, and any items which are left unattended around the home.
Stairways are another common area where people tend to trip and injure themselves. While sometimes this may be difficult to avoid, you can reduce the risk by making sure you use non-slippery flooring on the stairwell and replace old carpet with blemishes which could cause someone to trip. You will want to make sure you have a reliable banister on the stairs so that people have that added support available. Keep your stairs free of unnecessary clutter, and remember to remind children not to run on the stairs.
Dangers in the kitchen
Of course, with all of the sharp tools, electrical appliances, and heating equipment within the kitchen, it is unsurprising that this is the room which offers several hazards and possibilities for injury. Firstly, if you have a gas outlet in your home, then there is an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if you get a leak; Therefore, you should make sure always to turn off the gas on the stove when you are finished cooking. It is wise to install a carbon monoxide monitor within your home, which can alert you if the levels of CO reach dangerous levels. In this instance, you should leave home immediately. You should also have regular checks and maintenance carried out on the appliances within your home.
Make sure to keep your kitchen tidy, and don’t leave any dangerous tools unattended. For example, knives left on the kitchen counter can easily fall and cause injury to someone, or an exposed blender blade could hurt someone if the machine is left plugged in. Be careful when taking out the trash, as any sharp objects which have been placed in the bin could easily harm you, and also cause an infection if bacteria from the trash bag gets into a cut. There are also lots of harmful chemicals which are often stored in the kitchen, so keep these out of reach of children and animals. If you have young children in the home, such as ages ten and under, then it might be worth childproofing your kitchen. You can buy simple child locks for draws and cabinets, and you can also get covers to go over sharp objects, such as the blades of large knives.