Everyday Culprits: Safety Hazards At Home
“Home” has always been a place where one feels safe and at peace. But it is easy for us to overlook all the potential risks and safety hazards that we are being exposed to at home. Every year most of the accidents and serious injuries are caused in our homes in which children and young adults are the primary victims. Whether it is an injury from a fall or choking, it is imperative that we be careful of our surroundings and also works to prevent it as much as possible. Here are some of the tips you can use to keep you and your family safe at home.
Fire and Burns
Kitchen appliances like gas stoves are an everyday necessity and are potentially risky considering their high capacity of causing explosive fires if not well handled. One should always be cautious to close the main valve especially when one has to leave the house. If one wishes to place the gas cylinders outside of four walls, it is recommended that one get a composite gas cylinder, a special casing which has that helps it withstand the elements. The gas regulator and pipes should be reviewed and replaced once in a year, and the connection to the gas stove checked for any potential leakage.
Keeping Sharp Objects Out of Children’s Reach
Toddlers and children have a mind of their own and have not yet developed the ability to differentiate what’s right and wrong. They are prone to experiencing pain due to the faults and mismanagement of adults. When it comes to sharp objects, all that children see are something shiny and pointy which at times can cause cuts and wounds which at times can be fatal. Thus, kitchen knives should always in a drawer or in a knife holder and never left within the reach of toddlers. Any other type knives -- such as pocket knives saw blades, and paper cutters -- should be kept in a locked compartment.
Falls
One of the major causes of injury in elders and toddlers is a fall. Falls have the potential to be fatal at that later stage of life, especially in modern homes where marble and tiles line the floors, which once wet become extremely slippery. To avoid falls, the first step should definitely be to avoid having such forms of flooring and to opt for surfaces which have tactile grip. The other types of falls are from staircases. A safe staircase has no gaps in the side rails and has good flooring.
Poisoning
Poisoning from chemical products that are used as daily products -- toilet cleaners, kitchen cleaners, detergents, bleach etc -- are a dangerous possibility. One is recommended to keep them in a safe compartment and completely away from the reach of young children. The other most common mistake made is storing chemical products in everyday mundane containers. Never store cleaning acid, battery fluid, fuel or any chemicals in water bottles as for toddlers and young children may think it is in fact a water bottle.
Things to Own and Do
- Make sure to dry off your wet floors as soon as you see them and especially in your bathrooms.
- Have a set of two fire extinguishers at home; a CO2 extinguisher for electrical fires and a Foam Fire Extinguisher for fires caused by flammable liquids.
- Make sure to not leave any small objects lying around if there is a toddler in the house.
- Always keep a First Aid Kit
