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APeople worry about how to protect their children and themselves from accidents, but tend to overlook one of the biggest threats to their family’s safety and well-being — their own home. There are basic precautions that people can take to make every room of the house safer for the whole family.
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| Keep stairways clear, install hand rails and use adequate lighting to prevent falls. |
Accidental falls
Among the most common accidents in a home are slips and falls resulting in serious or fatal injuries. But many of these falls can be prevented with the following precautions.
• Keep stairways clear and avoid storing anything on the stairs that could become an obstacle.
• Install a handrail along all staircases regardless of length, because even a few steps can be hazardous.
• Apply abrasive strips to each step and make sure your stairs are well-lit by putting light switches at both the top and bottom of the staircase.
• Remove slippery rugs and runners.
• Use nonslip backings to keep rugs or mats from skidding.
Inadequate lighting throughout the house is another major cause of falls in the home. Provide each room with sufficient illumination to avoid tripping over hidden obstacles. Always keep a nightlight on at night, or better yet, have a lamp near your bed so you can turn on the light before getting up.
Bathroom safety
To prevent accidents in the bathroom, add anti-scald devices for faucets and shower heads. Set your home water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to prevent scalding. As bathroom mats can become quite slippery and dangerous, make sure you purchase nonslip floor mats for your bathroom floor. Line the bathtub floor with nonslip appliqués and never use any electrical appliances when you are wet or in the bathtub, shower or pool.
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| Safety gates can help prevent falls and keep children out of potentially dangerous rooms. |
Childproofing the home
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends certain safety devices to help secure the home for young children. Safety latches and locks for cabinets and drawers may slow down a curious toddler from figuring out how to open them. Outlet covers and plates can keep little fingers out of electric sockets. Installing safety gates in different areas of the house can help prevent falls and keep children out of potentially dangerous rooms.
Window guards and safety netting provide security for children who may explore the windows in the house. Also, install window cord safety devices to prevent accidental strangulation. Use corner and edge bumpers to soften sharp furniture edges. It is also important to secure furniture such as bookshelves, entertainment centers and bureaus to the wall so that they don’t topple unexpectedly onto small children.
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| Install smoke detectors in every bedroom and hallway. |
Fire safety
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are very important additions to the home. It is highly recommended to have a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector for every bedroom and hallway of your home. Check monthly to be sure they are working, and change the batteries annually. To prevent fires in the home, check for faulty electric cords, replace worn or frayed cords, and do not use excessively warm outlets or switches.
911
If you don’t feel up to the task of safety-proofing your home on your own, consider hiring a professional to evaluate your house and advise you on what needs to be done to make your home more safe. Lastly, in case an emergency does occur at your home, be sure to keep emergency phone numbers by the phone or put them on your speed dial. Place one phone low enough to be reached if an emergency prevents you from standing up, and make sure your address is marked outside in large, clear numbers so emergency personnel can find your house quickly.
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