No matter how
much we strive to keep our environment as safe as possible, accidents at home
can still happen. What will you do to prevent them?
According to some studies, people are
more likely to get injured in their own house than at work, so it is really
important to take health and safety seriously
Keeping your home clean and clutter-free at all times is a great way to minimize the risk of accidents. You may not be able to prevent these common accidents, but you will be able to reduce the chances of them happening when you keep your living space clean and organized.
We have come up with this quick guide to alert you on the hazards in your home so that you can keep your family as safe as possible.
Slips and falls
Slips and falls are the most common accidents that happen at home. Therefore, it is important to remove any hazards from floors such as wires, defective flooring, and unnecessary clutter. Avoid placing items on or around stairs and steps too.
Photo from https://www.ishn.com/articles/93145-home-is-where-the-hazards-are
According to a study, falls are the leading cause of death when it comes to home accidents. They make up a third of all fatalities.
The elderly group is most affected by this type of accident. When an elderly person falls, the associated problems are far more serious. While younger people may also suffer a broken bone, it is a far more serious problem for an older person in terms of healing.
People who are over 75 years old are prone to hip fractures, which can lead to long-term care needs and serious mobility issues. Minimize the risk and stay safe by following these tips.
- Keep children safe from tumbling down steps by installing safety gates at both the bottom and top of staircases. Make sure that the lighting is good and handrails and steps are well-maintained to keep safe at home.
- Elderly people with less mobility should not risk going up and down the staircase to avoid injury or better yet consider moving to a home without stairs to avoid falls.
- One of the accident-prone areas in the house is the bathroom due to its slippery wet surfaces. Make sure that the shower area has rubber mats to prevent falls from wet surfaces. You can also place mats or towels on the floor when getting out of the bath or shower. The elderly should consider investing in seats to make showering and bathing safer.
Burns
There are a lot of items in any home that can cause a burn. The most common hazards include pans, kettles, ovens, and cooking stoves.
It is important for you to rethink the way you use your home appliances, especially if you have kids at home.
Whenever you are cooking, you have to be extra careful in where to place your pan. It is best to use the cooking rings that are far from the edge of the counter to avoid any danger. Meanwhile, for electronic home appliances such as kettle and coffee maker, make sure that the wires are out of reach of your kids too.
Other hazards to take special care of include hair straighteners and
matches. Keep these items out of reach, especially if there are kids at home.
Cuts
We all know that sharp objects like knives, scissors, and cutter can cause some serious cuts so you have to be cautious in using and keeping them. In case you accidentally break a glass, make sure to clean the area immediately.
It is also a good idea to make use of a vacuum cleaner to eliminate any tiny fragments of glass that are invisible to the eye. If you have children at home, keep glass items well out of reach.
Choking
Choking is very common in babies and kids. Since these small children often explore things with their mouth, they have the tendency to put everything they touch and come across into their mouth.
This is why it is best that these small kids are always supervised. To make it safer for them, put away those small items that they might swallow like pen covers, small toys, and coins. Follow these simple tips to prevent choking among kids.
- Always supervise your children. Be on the lookout for any items that could post any risk.
- Learn about first aid and know when and how to perform it on your child should any accident happens.
- Give your child age-appropriate toys that have no possibility of small breaking parts.
- Make sure that when putting your babies to sleep, the bed is clean and clutter-free. No any hazardous items in the bed to avoid any accident
- When feeding your child, make sure that you cut or slice the food into small pieces. Teach them the proper way of eating and to chew and swallow their food accordingly.
Poisoning
There are substances in your home that may cause poisoning such as fertilizers, medicines, and makeup.
Keep household items out of reach, especially if you have young children in your home. Designate a specific area for polishes, sprays, bleach, and other agents and make sure it is kept locked at all times.
Meanwhile, other common items at home like medicines and cosmetics should be properly stored and kept away from children.
According to a study, there are hundreds of people from all age groups who require medical attention for poisoning from home products. Keep your family, especially your children, from poisoning by following these safety tips.
- Keep your cleaning products and other harmful substances in places that are out of reach of your children.
- Store paint and pesticides in high shelves that the kids won’t be able to reach.
- Always monitor your kids and do not allow them to stay within the area where these hazardous substances are stored.
- Make sure to label all containers. Never make the big mistake of storing any hazardous products in food containers.
Drowning
Children under four years old are at risk of drowning at home. There were some cases that kids drown when left unsupervised during bath or pool time, not to mention the big risk of having a garden pond.
According to research, children below four years old can drown even in just two inches of water, so they should be supervised at all time or have restricted access to water. Keep your kids safe with these simple tips.
- Do not leave your kids unattended especially when bathing. Stop whatever you are doing, monitor your kids and make sure they are safe while having fun taking a bath.
- Make sure that the toilet lids are closed
- Cordon off your swimming pool or pond and remember not to leave your kids unsupervised.
- Avoid using electrical items in the washroom.
Falling objects
Avoid the danger of falling objects by packing and storing items properly. No matter what your age is, you are not completely safe from any accident. Avoid it by being extra careful even in storing your items at home.
Avoid overfilling your shelves and cabinets. Keep those bulky, big, and heavy items in floor-level areas so it would be easier for you to access them. Always be vigilant especially when the kids are near these areas.
Keep in mind that wherever possible, never store any items higher than average shoulder height. Never access items stored at height unless you can safely handle them. Use steps or ladders where necessary.
Fire Hazard
According to the research conducted by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), residential areas account for the largest fire occurrences in the country, with National Capital Region registering as the most fire-prone area in the country.
Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash
The study conducted shows that within a four-year time frame, the top three reported causes of fire incidents were faulty electrical wiring/connection, unattended open flames, and neglected electrical appliances or devices.
Fire is extremely dangerous not only to your house and lot but also to all the people living in that property. Check out these safety tips to avoid fatalities and devastating burns to loved ones as well as damage to your home and belongings.
- You can install smoke detectors in different parts of your home – be it in the kitchen, bedroom, and other parts of the house.
- Test your alarm regularly and ensure timely replacement of batteries.
- Consider a home alarm system that detects smoke. This is a good tool to raise an alarm and even help people who are not capable of responding due to smoke inhalation.
- Be careful especially when you cook. Avoid leaving your pan of oil for deep-frying unattended.
- Have your electrical systems and wiring checked regularly. Get rid of those loose wires that may cause any hazard at home.
- During Christmas season, make sure to use quality Christmas tree lights. Switch off all Christmas lights before going to bed to avoid overheating.
- Keep your matches and lighters away. Put them in a safe place, far from the common areas that the kids frequent to.
- Avoid leaving any candles burning overnight.
- Think 10 steps ahead. Have a fire safety plan so you would know how you will exit your house in case of emergency.
- Declutter your home. Get rid of old boxes or paper.
- Hire an electrician to assess your electrical systems.
Read more on how to keep an affordable house and lot safe from disasters in Safety is Key: A Homebuyer’s Guide to a Disaster-safe Home.
Allergies
Dust particles are common causes of allergies at home. Remember that dust mites thrive in warm and humid areas.
Did you know that cockroach allergy can be a major cause of asthma and nasal allergy? If you have symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma, these might be caused by the inhalation of mold spored.
So, don’t let your pet, dust, mold or other allergens make you feel sick and miserable in your own home. Take these steps to keep your home allergen-free.
- Change your bed sheets, pillow cases, and blankets at least once a week.
- Clean and shampoo your carpet regularly.
- Choose easy-to-clean home furniture.
- Declutter. Remove items that easily accumulate dust and dirt.
- Use an air filter and purifier.
- Use washable curtains or blinds and clean them regularly.
Sharp Objects
There are plenty of sharp objects at home that can pose a risk, especially to young children. Minimize the risk by following these simple steps.
- Store your kitchen knives and graters in a safe area or in a locked drawer. Make sure to keep them away from the kids.
- Learn the proper use of knives to avoid any accident. Keep your children away when you are slicing or chopping any food.
Suffocation
According to Mayo Clinic, new born and infants cannot easily raise their heads so they need special attention and protection from suffocation.
Additionally, small children could also be at risk of suffocation in your home. Keep your children safe from the risk of suffocation by following these simple tips.
- Keep your trash bags away from small children to avoid the risk of any accident.
- Make sure to keep your strings, cords, and ropes out of reach of kids. Playing with these items may lead to strangling hazard that may cause serious injuries or even death among kids.
When it comes to the safety of our family, especially our little ones, it is wise to be prepared and know what you have to do in case of accidents and emergencies.
Be aware of your responsibilities as parents to always keep an eye to your children even at home. After all, supervision is still the best way to help kids stay safe from any danger.
Remember that no matter where you live, may it be in an extravagant home or an affordable house and lot, accidents at home are unavoidable. They can still happen at home in the most unexpected time.
Keep in mind that you will never be able to remove all hazards from your home but you can reduce them and mitigate the risk by being clean, organized, clutter-free.
Aside from following these home tips, keep your family safe by choosing a secured community like the communities of Lessandra. Lessandra homes provide quality and affordable house and lot in the Philippines with 24/7 security through installed CCTVs, stationed and roving guards.
For more information about affordable house and lots, head over to the house listing section. To know more about the affordable house and lots for sale available in each Lessandra community, give the property listing section a visit. It’s time to live in the best.
Lessandra Blog is a compilation of
lifestyle, community, and home-related articles. For real estate investment and
tips on how to buy house and lots in the Philippines, visit Lessandra’s Lifestyle
and Home Investments section.
