Your home should be, and for the most part is, a safe place where you can make memories with your family – eat, sleep and relax. That said, no place is entirely safe and there are some things you should really keep an eye out for, to avoid injuries in your own house.
These are some of the types of accidents that can cause injuries in the home…
Slips, trips, and falls
One of the most common injuries in the home involves tripping over something (often something you’ve asked your family to put away a million times), falling down the stairs, or slipping on spilled liquids. The severity of these types of injuries can range from broken bones and back injuries to concussion and cuts. Keeping your home clean and tidy, and being aware of where you’re walking can reduce the risk of these types of injuries.
Burns
Burns can happen in a number of ways – perhaps while cooking, or by knocking a hot drink over and scalding someone. Burns can be incredibly painful and need to be treated immediately in order to reduce their damage. It can be easy to become complacent at home but this is when accidents happen. Concentrate when you cook and always use an oven mitt where needed. Keep hot drinks somewhere safe and away from children as this is an incredibly common, but awful, accident that happens more often than you might think.
Choking
Anyone can choke, but it is especially risky for babies, toddlers, and young children. It’s vital to keep an eye on children who are eating and to know what to do if they do find themselves in difficulty. You can reduce the risk of choking by ensuring particularly hazardous food such as grapes, are always cut, lengthwise, and make sure that children are sat down to eat. Avoid leaving any choking hazards on the floor, as babies and toddlers often explore the world by putting things in their mouths.
Fire
Of course, fire is a big risk for burns, which we covered above, but there is also the scary danger of smoke inhalation or even explosions caused by hazardous chemicals in the home. Check your fire alarms once a month to ensure that they are all working correctly, and be aware of any fire hazards in your home. For example, are all your electrical items in good condition? Do you use candles? If you have a gas fire, are there any potentially flammable materials close to it? It might seem like a lot of hassle but fires can be devastating and the more you can do to prevent this risk, the better.
Although there are dangers in the home, there are also ways to lessen the risk of these, by taking small steps daily to keep things safe. There is an important balance by being aware and cautious, but not allowing fear to overtake your life and make you too paranoid to enjoy things. Stay safe.
