Common Safety Hazards Around the House

As much as most people think of their homes as safe havens where they can relax and enjoy their time with their families. However, homes can also be full of potential dangers that can cause injuries, illnesses, or even death. According to the World Health Organization, more than 3.8 million people die each year from unintentional injuries in the home. The most common safety hazards around the house are falls, fires, poisoning, choking, drowning, and electric shocks.

These hazards can be prevented or reduced by taking simple precautions and being aware of the risks. This post will discuss each hazard in detail and provide tips on making your home safer for yourself and your loved ones.

Falls

Falls are among the most common and serious safety hazards around the house. According to data from the World Health Organization, falls are among the major causes of unintentional injury deaths worldwide, accounting for more than 684,000 fatalities each year, with the elderly being the most affected by this type of accident.

Falls can cause fractures, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, or even death. The elderly Older adults and children are especially vulnerable to falls, as they may have reduced balance, vision, or mobility.

How to Prevent Falls at Home

Many factors increase the risk of falls at home, such as slippery floors, loose rugs, cluttered stairs, poor lighting, or lack of handrails.

Fortunately, there are also many ways to prevent falls and make your home safer for yourself and your loved ones. Here are some tips to follow:

• Keep your floors clean and dry. Wipe up any spills immediately and use non-slip mats or rugs in wet areas such as bathrooms or kitchens.
• Remove any tripping hazards from your pathways. Clear away any cords, wires, toys, shoes, or other objects that may cause you to stumble.
• Install adequate lighting in every room and hallway. Use nightlights or motion-sensor lights in dark areas such as stairs or closets.
• Secure any loose rugs or carpets with double-sided tape or tacks. Alternatively, you can remove them altogether or replace them with rubber-backed mats.
• Add handrails or grab bars to your stairs, bathrooms, or other areas needing extra support. Please make sure they are sturdy and well-maintained.
• Wear appropriate footwear that fits well and has good traction. Avoid wearing socks, slippers, or high heels that may cause you to slip or lose balance.
• Exercise regularly to improve your strength, balance, and flexibility. You can also consult your doctor for specific exercises that can help prevent falls.
• Review your medications with your pharmacist. Some medications may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or low blood pressure, affecting your balance.
• Get your vision checked regularly, and wear glasses or contacts if needed. Poor vision can impair your ability to see obstacles or judge distances.

Following the steps above s can help reduce the risk of falls and help you enjoy a safer and more comfortable home.

Poisoning

Poisoning presents another common and serious safety hazard around the house. According to the World Health Organization, poisoning causes more than 193,000 deaths yearly.

Poisoning does occur when a person ingests, inhales, or comes into contact with a substance that is harmful to their health. Some of the most common sources of poisoning at home are medications, household cleaners, pesticides, cosmetics, plants, or carbon monoxide.

Poisoning can have various symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, seizures, or even death.

How to Prevent Poisoning at Home

There are many ways to prevent poisoning and make your home safer for yourself and your loved ones. Here are some tips to follow:

• Store all medications, cleaners, pesticides, and other potentially hazardous substances in their original containers with labels and child-resistant caps. Keep them out of reach and sight of children and pets.
• Follow the directives and warnings on the labels of any products you use. Do not mix different products or use more than the recommended amount.
• Dispose of any expired or unused medications properly. Do not flush them down the toilet or throw them in the trash. You can take them to a local pharmacy or a drug take-back program for safe disposal.
• Have carbon monoxide detection devices installed in your home and check them regularly. 
• Learn to identify and avoid poisonous plants in your home and garden. Some common examples are oleander, lily of the valley, foxglove, and poinsettia. If you have children or pets, remove them or keep them in inaccessible areas.
• Keep the number of your local poison control center handy and call them immediately if you suspect poisoning. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for urgent medical attention.

The simple steps above can help reduce the risk of poisoning and keep your home safer.

Fire Hazards and Incidents

Fire is one of the house’s most devastating and deadly safety hazards. According to the World Health Organization, fire causes over 180,000 deaths yearly.

Fire can destroy your property, belongings, and memories in minutes. Fire can also cause severe burns, smoke inhalation, or suffocation.

Fire can be caused by various factors such as cooking, heating, smoking, candles, electrical faults, or flammable liquids.

How to Prevent Fire Hazards

Fire can be prevented or controlled by taking simple precautions and preparing for emergencies. Here are some tips to follow:

• Install smoke alarms in every room and hallway of your home and test them monthly. Replace the batteries as needed and never disable them. 
• Have a fire extinguisher in your home and know how to use it. A fire extinguisher can help you put out small fires before they get out of control. Ensure you have the right extinguisher for the fire you are dealing with. For example, water-based extinguishers are good for paper or wood fires but not for electrical or grease fires.
• Keep highly flammable items away from heat sources and open flames. Do not leave cooking unattended or place combustible materials near stoves, heaters, or fireplaces. Do not smoke in bed or near curtains or furniture. Do not store gasoline, paint thinner, or other flammable liquids in your home or garage.
• Practice fire safety with your children and pets. Teach them how to prevent fires and what to do in case of a fire. Keep matches, lighters, candles, and other fire hazards out of their reach. Ensure they know how to stop, drop, and roll if their clothes catch fire.
• Plan and practice an escape route with your family. Identify two ways out of every room and ensure the windows and doors are easy to open. Set a meeting place outside your home where everyone can gather after escaping. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year and ensure everyone knows what to do.
• If a fire breaks out in your home, get out as quickly and safely as possible. Do not try to save your belongings or fight the fire yourself. Close the doors behind you to slow down the spread of the fire. Crawl under the smoke and cover your nose and mouth with a cloth. If you encounter a closed door, feel it with your hand before opening it. If it is hot, do not open it and look for another way out. If you are trapped in a room, seal the cracks around the door with towels or blankets and signal for help from the window.
• Call 911 or your local emergency number when you are out of danger. Do not go back into the burning building for any reason. Please wait for the firefighters to arrive and follow their instructions.

Drowning

Drowning is a silent and sudden safety hazard around the house that can affect anyone, especially young children.

According to the Global Drowning Research and Prevention, drowning is the third biggest cause of unintended injury death globally, accounting for more than 236,000 fatalities annually.

Drowning can occur when a person’s mouth and nose are submerged in water or other liquid, preventing them from breathing. Drowning can cause brain damage, coma, or death within minutes.

How to Prevent Drowning

There are many sources of drowning at home, such as bathtubs, pools, spas, buckets, toilets, or ponds.

Drowning can be prevented or reduced by taking some simple precautions and being vigilant of the risks. Here are some tips to follow:

• Supervise children and vulnerable adults around water at all times. Please do not leave them alone or rely on older siblings or flotation devices to watch them. Stay within arm’s reach and maintain eye contact with them.
• Install fences, gates, locks, or alarms around pools, spas, or ponds. Please ensure they are at least four feet high and have self-closing and self-latching mechanisms. Do not leave any gaps or openings allowing children or pets to enter.
• Empty any containers that can hold water after use, including bathtubs, buckets, sinks, or basins. Store them upside down or out of reach of children and pets.
• Teach children how to swim and float from an early age. Enroll them in swimming lessons or water safety classes. However, do not assume they are drown-proof, even if they know how to swim.
• Learn to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. CPR can help restore breathing and circulation in a drowning victim until professional help arrives. First aid can help treat any injuries or complications caused by drowning.
• Keep emergency numbers handy and call 911 or your local emergency number if you witness or suspect drowning. Do not delay seeking medical attention even if the victim seems to recover. Drowning can cause delayed complications such as lung infection or brain damage.

Following the steps above will be key in helping you keep your family safe from drowning.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide will poison you if it builds up in your home in most cases due to faulty appliances, heaters, or fireplaces. Carbon monoxide can prevent your blood from carrying oxygen to your cells, resulting in tissue damage or death. 

Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include confusion, headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion, chest pain, or loss of consciousness.

How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Hazards

We have many ways to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and make your home safer for yourself and your loved ones. Here are some tips to follow:

• Have carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. Inspect them regularly and replace the batteries as needed. If the detector sounds an alarm, leave the house immediately and call 911.
• Have your appliances, heaters, and fireplaces inspected and serviced by a qualified professional every year. Make sure they are properly vented and do not leak gas or smoke.
• Never use generators, charcoal grills, camp stoves, or other fuel-burning devices inside your home, garage, basement, or near a window. These devices can produce substantial amounts of carbon monoxide that can accumulate in enclosed spaces.
• Do not leave your car running in an attached garage or near a window or door. Even if the garage door opens, carbon monoxide can seep into your home and cause poisoning.
• Do not burn anything in a fireplace that is not vented or has a blocked chimney, as it can cause carbon monoxide to back up into your home and create a fire hazard.
• Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning signs and get medical attention if you suspect exposure. You can also call your local poison control center for advice.

Choking

Choking is a serious and life-threatening safety hazard around the house that can affect anyone, especially young children and older adults.

According to the World Health Organization, choking causes more than 162,000 deaths yearly. 

Choking can occur when a person’s airway is blocked by a piece of food, a toy, a coin, or any other object that prevents them from breathing. Choking can cause brain damage, cardiac arrest, or death within minutes.

How to Prevent Choking

Several factors can increase the risk of choking at home, such as eating too fast, talking while eating, laughing while eating, having dentures or missing teeth, having difficulty swallowing, or having certain medical conditions.

Choking can be prevented or reduced by taking simple precautions and knowing the signs and symptoms. Here are some tips to follow:

• Cut food into small pieces and chew it well before swallowing. Avoid eating hard, sticky, or round foods that can easily get stuck in your throat, such as nuts, candies, grapes, or hot dogs. Drink water or other fluids to help wash down your food.
• Supervise children and vulnerable adults while they eat. Please do not give them foods that are too big or hard to chew. Teach them to eat slowly and calmly and not to talk or laugh while eating.
• Keep small objects out of children’s and pets’ reach, including toys, coins, batteries, magnets, buttons, or jewelry. Check their pockets and mouths regularly for any hidden items. Teach them not to put anything in their mouths that are not food.
• Learn the Heimlich maneuver and first aid. The Heimlich maneuver can help dislodge an object from a person’s airway by applying pressure on the abdomen. First aid can help treat any injuries or complications caused by choking.
• Know the signs and symptoms of choking and act as soon as you witness or suspect choking. Some signs are coughing, gagging, wheezing, difficulty breathing, turning blue, clutching the throat, or losing consciousness.
• Call 911 or your local emergency number if you cannot remove the object or the person stops breathing. Do not try to remove the object with your fingers or a tool, as this may push it further into the airway. Do not slap the person on the back, as this may worsen the situation.

Following these simple steps can reduce the risk of choking and enjoy a safer and more enjoyable home.

Sharp Piercing Objects

Sharp objects are any items that have pointed or edged parts that can cut, pierce, or stab the skin. Examples of sharp objects are knives, scissors, razors, needles, pins, nails, glass, or metal.

Sharp objects can cause injuries such as cuts, lacerations, punctures, or infections. According to the World Health Organization reports, injuries from sharp objects account for tens of thousands of deaths each year worldwide.

Sharp objects can also risk transmitting blood-borne diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B, or tetanus if contaminated with infected blood or body fluids.

How to Prevent Hazards Due to Sharp Objects

There are many ways to prevent injuries from sharp objects and make your home safer for yourself and your loved ones. Here are some tips to follow:

• Store sharp objects in a secure place that is out of reach and sight of children and pets. Use protective covers or containers for knives, scissors, razors, or needles. Please do not leave them lying on tables, counters, floors, or beds.
• Use sharp objects with care and attention. Please do not use them while distracted, tired, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Do not run or play with them or point them at yourself or others. Please do not use them for purposes other than their intended use.
• Dispose of sharp objects properly. Please do not throw them in the trash or flush them down the toilet. Use puncture-resistant containers or bags to collect them and label them as hazardous waste. Take them to a designated disposal facility or a sharps collection program for safe disposal.
• Wear gloves and protective clothing when handling sharp objects contaminated with blood or body fluids. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling sharp objects. Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth, or wounds with your hands.

The steps above can help reduce the risk of injuries from sharp objects and enjoy a safer and more comfortable home. Remember, prevention is better than cure.

If you encounter an injury from a sharp object, seek medical help immediately and report any symptoms or exposures to your doctor.

Suffocation

Suffocation can occur when a person’s airway is blocked by an object, a plastic bag, a pillow, or a blanket, preventing them from breathing. Suffocation can cause brain damage, cardiac arrest, or death within minutes.

Many factors can increase the risk of suffocation at home, such as sleeping position, bedding, toys, furniture, or clothing.

Suffocation can be prevented or reduced by taking simple precautions and knowing the signs and symptoms. Here are some tips to follow:

• Place infants and toddlers on their backs to sleep. Do not use pillows, blankets, quilts, or bumper pads in their cribs or beds. These items can cover their faces and obstruct their breathing. Use a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet for their sleeping surface.
• Keep plastic bags, balloons, wrappers, or other thin and flexible materials away from children and pets. These items can easily wrap around their heads and suffocate them. Store them in a secure place or dispose of them properly.
• Remove any small objects that can fit into a child’s mouth or nose from their reach, including coins, buttons, beads, marbles, or batteries. These objects can get lodged in their airways and block their breathing. 
• Avoid placing furniture or appliances near windows or balconies that children or pets can climb on and fall from. These items can cause injuries or suffocation if they land on top of them. Secure any cords, wires, or strings hanging from curtains, blinds, lamps, or fans. These items can strangle them if they get tangled around their necks.
• Learn how to perform resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. CPR can help restore breathing and circulation in a suffocated victim until professional help arrives. First aid can help treat any injuries or complications caused by suffocation.
• Know the signs and symptoms of suffocation and act if you witness or suspect suffocation. Some signs are gasping, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, turning blue, clutching the throat, or losing consciousness.
• Call 911 or your local emergency number if you cannot remove the object or the person stops breathing. Do not try to remove the object with your fingers or a tool, as this may push it further into the airway. Do not slap the person on the back, as this may worsen the situation.

Remember, prevention is better than cure. If you encounter suffocation, seek medical help immediately and report any symptoms or exposures to your doctor.

What Are Safety Rules at Home?

Safety is an important aspect of everyday life, especially at home, where we spend most of our time.

Home is supposed to be a place where we feel comfortable and secure, but it can also be full of potential hazards that can cause harm or injury to ourselves and our loved ones.

There are some basic safety rules and guidelines that can help you stay safe at home:

• Rule 1: Keep your floors clean and dry. Wipe up any spills immediately and use non-slip mats or rugs in wet areas such as bathrooms or kitchens. Remove tripping hazards, such as cords, wires, toys, shoes, or other objects, from your pathways.
• Rule 2: Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in every room of your home and near sleeping areas. Test them every month and replace the batteries as needed. If the alarm sounds, leave the house immediately and call 911.
• Rule 3: Store all medications, cleaners, pesticides, and other potentially hazardous substances in their original containers with labels and child-resistant caps. Keep them out of reach and sight of children and pets. Observe the instructions and warnings on the labels, and do not mix different products or use more than the recommended amount.
• Rule 4: Learn how to perform the Heimlich maneuver and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). These techniques can help save a life in case of choking or suffocation. Know the signs and symptoms of choking and act when you witness or suspect it. Call 911 or your local emergency number if you cannot remove the object or the person stops breathing.
• Rule 5: Install fences, gates, locks, or alarms around pools, spas, or ponds. Please ensure they are at least four feet high and have self-closing and self-latching mechanisms. Do not leave any gaps or openings allowing children or pets to enter. Supervise children and vulnerable adults around water at all times and teach them how to swim and float.
• Rule 6: Avoid using electrical appliances near water or wet surfaces. Do not overload outlets or extension cords or run them under carpets or rugs. Check for any frayed or damaged wires or plugs and replace them immediately. Turn off and unplug any unused appliances when not in use.
• Rule 7: Cut food into small pieces and chew it well before swallowing. Avoid eating hard, sticky, or round foods that can easily get stuck in your throat, such as nuts, candies, grapes, or hot dogs. Drink water or other fluids to help wash down your food. Supervise children and vulnerable adults while they eat and teach them to eat slowly and calmly.
• Rule 8: Keep sharp objects such as knives, scissors, razors, needles, pins, nails, glass, or metal in a secure place that is out of reach and sight of children and pets. Use protective covers or containers for these items, and do not leave them lying around on tables, counters, floors, or beds. Use them with care and attention, and do not use them for purposes other than their intended use.
• Rule 9: Place infants and toddlers on their backs to sleep. Do not use pillows, blankets, quilts, or bumper pads in their cribs or beds. These items can cover their faces and obstruct their breathing. Use a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet for their sleeping surface.
• Rule 10: Plan and practice an escape route with your family in an emergency such as fire, earthquake, flood, or intruder. Identify two ways out of every room and ensure the windows and doors are easy to open.

Common Safety Hazards Around the House

As much as home is where we feel safe and comfortable, it can also be where many dangers lurk. From falls to fires, poisoning to choking, drowning to electric shocks, many safety hazards around the house can cause injuries, illnesses, or even death.

However, following simple rules and guidelines can prevent or reduce these common safety hazards around the house.

Ensure you keep the floors clean and dry, install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, store hazardous substances properly, and learn CPR and first aid.

Additionally, supervise children and vulnerable adults around water and food, avoid electrical appliances near water or wet surfaces, keep sharp objects out of reach of children and pets, place infants and toddlers on their backs to sleep, and plan and practice an escape route in case of an emergency.