11 of the most common home hazards and how to safeguard against them. Keep little ones safe from sharp points by pointing knives and forks downward in the utensil basket of the dishwasher. physical risks from poor work environment, such as workstation set up, heat, cold, lighting, electrical safety, home hygiene and home renovations, and psychosocial risks such as isolation, high or low job demands, reduced social support from managers and colleagues, fatigue, online harassment and family and domestic violence. The good news is, there are easy actions you can take to prevent accidental poisonings at home: This guide is by no means comprehensive, but it should help renters and homeowners identify and reduce common home hazards. Avoid electrical fires by making sure that all appliances are in good working order and no wires are frayed. Check your surrounding environment for safety hazards: Ensure the area surrounding your home workspace is free from clutter and tripping hazards However, a little diligence and the right know-how can decrease the chance of accidental poisoning in your family. Reality: Which Household Accidents Should You Worry About? Use a locking garbage can to protect small fingers and pets from finding sharp edges on open food cans and lids. HOME SAFETY Create a safe home environment for your children. For instance, your HVAC equipment — especially your air … This checklist will help you find and fix those hazards in your home. If you spot any of these hazards, tell a grown up and let them know how they can keep themselves and their family safe. This document aims to raise awareness and increase understanding of the safety and health risks involved in home healthcare and suggests prevention strategies to reduce the number of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities that too frequently occur among workers in this industry. Create a safety zone around your home. They keep small hands from turning on burners or grownups from inadvertently knocking burners to the “on” position. If you’re buying an older home, have a professional inspect these systems before purchase so you can fix problems before moving in. In 2011, nearly 23,000 people over age 65 died and 2.4 million were treated in emergency departments because of falls. Burns may not seem like a common household hazard, but they’re a risk whenever you use dishwashers and stoves. Child cuts refer to the child's injury that gets on own body while using sharp objects like … Remove leaves and rubbish from under structures. Electrical hazards, such as frayed electrical cords 4. Make a point of locking doors before you go out 3. Here you’ll find a variety of resources, including posters, charts, pocket guides and more. Home safety refers to the awareness and education of risks and potential dangers in and around a home which may cause bodily harm, injury, or even death to those residing in and around the physical structure of a home. Regularly inspect toys for any loose parts. Teens and adults are also at risk from appetite suppressants, heroin, amphetamines, antidepressants, motor vehicle exhaust gas, anesthetics, and even caffeine and alcohol. Carbon monoxide alarms 3. We recommend addressing the hazards this guide points out and working from there. Take the following precautions to significantly reduce the chances of a drowning at home: Obstructed airways can be fatal and are divided into three main types: suffocation, choking, and strangulation. And many home security systems even let you add-on monitors and detectors that warn of key home safety hazards. What is Home Automation and How Does it Work? You can be a hero in your own home too. Protect your home from a potential fire by adding stove knob covers, like these from Safety 1st (about $11 for a 5-pack*). small objects out of reach, check toys for small parts/sharp edges, no hard candy, peanuts, popcorn, dont place infant in … Give the kids an easy way to stow toys and make sure every playdate ends without injury. We have information and tools to help protect your baby, toddler, child, or teenager from injuries and violence. CR also reported that in 2016, 2,800 incidents of injury to children from a falling piece of furniture occurred—a 33 percent spike from 2015. Never fill the soap dispenser until you’re ready to start a load and always check your dishwasher for leftover residue after each cycle. SafeWise is an independent review site. Don't skip our checklist of 10 safety hazards that could be deadly. The stats, which come from the Consumer Reports (CR) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, reveal there were 195 deaths caused by tip-overs between 2000 and 2016. Checking alarms if they are working properly or not, implementing smoke detectors and many such tasks are those which can provide the safety from fire. Home SecuritySmart HomeHome SafetyFamily Safety, Pet SafetyOnline SecurityPersonal SafetySenior Safety. Fires & Burns. Fear vs. Safety zone size depends on the terrain you live in. Before delving into the specifics on how to identify and prevent home hazards, let's see what industry experts have to say: Preventable home hazards cause many injuries and deaths. Minimize your family's risk of fire-related injury in the home by following these safety tips. A California law that went into effect Jan. 1 could make it harder to sell a home in fire-prone areas such as San Luis Obispo County’s heavily forested North … or ownership status (owner, renter). SHARE. But you can keep your child safe by finding out what the risks are, and then preventing or removing them.. Solutions like the locking Eoere Medicine Cabinet (about $31*) are a convenient way to keep medications handy without making them vulnerable to accidental discovery. The same applies to softer foods like grapes, cherry tomatoes, and hot dogs. Risks can be minimized by; Proper storage medications Keep paints and chemicals out of reach Lock up detergents Proper storage of personal products such as make-ups, hair products, soaps, etc them are seriously injured, and some are disabled. There are games to test how good you are at spotting hazards in all the rooms of your house. Child Cuts. You can do a lot to avoid common home injuries like falls, burns and scalds, poisoning, drowning, strangulation and suffocation. Prevent household members from falling by implementing the following measures: Cooking fires are the top cause of home fires and home injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association. In 2017, 36,338 people died in falls, according to Injury Facts. In the United States, one in every three older adults falls each year. The Fear: The gel packs in product packaging all say “Do not eat,” so they must be deadly. Cords on window dressings like blinds or curtains present a common strangling hazard to small children and infants.5 Here are three ways you can help make your home safer for little ones. Our information resource Preventing Accidents in the Home covers fire safety, electrical safety, heating and cooking, safety glass, safety with medicines and cleaners, DIY and garden safety. A detector that plugs into an electrical outlet, like the Kidde Nighthawk Alarm (about $28*), provides extra reassurance and saves you from needing to change batteries. Or use a Changing Lifestyles Safe-er-Grip Balance Assist Bar (about $7*), which is small enough to fit in any shower. Keep Your Home Safe While Keeping It Warm. Some of the elements that are assessed and evaluated for fire and environmental hazards, as more fully discussed above, include: 1. If you like the look of blinds, make your windows attractive and safe with Achim Home Furnishings Cordless Pleated Shades (starting around $44*). Fire Safety Resources. Home Safety Checklist Falls are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but also easy to fix. Keep all household cleaners in a high cupboard with a safety lock to keep kids and animals from accidentally finding them. When the term ‘home’ comes into people’s minds, what they think of is that feeling of safety, protection, and warmth to all family members. Meanwhile, heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths. One half of all injuries occur at home. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Seek advice from a plumber. *SafeWise has conducted impartial research to recommend products. How Can I Keep My Child Safe in the Pool or at a Lake? Most current systems offer home automation and remote access so you can make sure everything is okay as often as you want. Falls are the main cause of injury, hospitalization and invalidity among Canadian seniors. Making changes in your home to prevent falls is beneficial both for you and your family members, as well as for guests and visitors to your home. Avoid safety hazards in the kitchen. 30 to 100 feet is recommended for most homes. Get updates on safety news, product releases, and deals! Below are the leading causes of accidents and unintentional home injuries, and some tips on how to make your home safer. Contact us and we'll connect you with an expert who can provide insights and data to support your work. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cooking fires are the top cause of home fires and home injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association. However, there are other home safety hazards that you should be aware of. Smoke alarms 2. Your home is where you feel most comfortable, but you should always be aware of and on the lookout for potential safety hazards. Check with your doctor for suggestions. This makes it more difficult for kids to accidentally touch a hot stovetop. No one wants their home to be broken into and their property damaged or stolen, either when they are at home or away. Falling is the third leading cause … In or-der to address this problem, the Occupational Therapy Geriatric Group at the University at Buffalo Of particular concern are used carseats, which should never be used. Most burns occur in the home and workplace, and children and women are most likely to suffer a burn in the kitchen.7 To prevent burns, use the back burners on your stove when possible. A roaring fire is always a no-kid zone, but a fireplace can remain hot long after the last … NAVIGATION Did you know that the home is the most common location where children are injured? HOME SAFETY SELF ASSESSMENT TOOL (HSSAT) v.5 Falls are the leading cause of injury, disability, nursing home placement, and death in adults over the age of 65 years. Do you have a home office or work from home? It includes mitigating or preventing unwanted dangers through testing, research, and accepted standards of applications and practices. It's tempting to put things laundry near the stairs to put away on your next trip up or down, but those can also be easy to pass up and trip over when you're in a rush. Consult this guide of nine common safety hazards in the home to learn quick and simple solutions for keeping you and your loved ones out of harm’s way. We have put together this quick guide to alert you to the hazards in your home so that you can keep your family as safe as possible. The majority of these drownings occur in home swimming pools, and black children are at the greatest risk. Better yet, trade out window treatments for designs without cords. Some danger zones to pay attention to include outlets, light switches, and any exposed electrical work in the house. fix. Some other tasks to provide the safety from the electricity should also be included in the checklist. Take a few minutes each month to review your household safety, point by point. Place the basket away from the front of the dishwasher to make sharp objects even less accessible. Heating equipment, like space heaters, are involved in 1 of every 6 home fires. Home Safety Assessment. Secure fix mats in place or use grip tape like SlipDoctors Anti-Slip Safety Tape (starting at $12*) to make surfaces less slippery. If you use detergent pods, make sure children don’t mistake them for candy. In case you were wondering…. As with all household cleaners, lock laundry and dishwasher detergents out of reach of pets and kids. Falls. They are most prevalent in places like bathrooms and staircases, but hazards can be … Nothing is more important than keeping your family safe. While designing the checklist for the safety of your home, consider the whole house building. Household chemical safety. Homes are an environment where children […] Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives compensation from some of the companies whose products we review. In or-der to address this problem, the Occupational Therapy Geriatric Group at the University at Buffalo It is important that employees take safety home with them. Do your best to find a chair that supports your back, … Information on Safety in the Home & Community for Parents with Infants & Toddlers (Ages 0-3) Español (Spanish) Related Pages. Security consultants, insurance agents, and eldercare advisors are just a few options. Cordless Window Coverings: Loose cords can strangle children in an instant. Many of . Never place a crib or bed under a window with dangling cords. Promoting child safety at home. Stoves—especially gas ones—are the perfect place for something to accidentally catch on fire. Subscribe to SafeWise for updates on safety news, product releases, and deals! Older high chairs, bouncers, and other baby and toddler stuff might not meet current safety standards. fix. Stay alert when using power tools, and never rush while mowing the lawn or using the weed whacker. Below is a list of the top home safety hazards you should be aware of and how to prevent them. Safety in the Home. As a homeowner, you can significantly reduce damage to your home by fixing a number of known and common weaknesses. There were over two million poisoning incidents reported to poison control centers nationwide in 2018.4 Several household items present poisoning hazards, including cleaning and home maintenance supplies. 1. For additional safety talks browse our entire list by clicking here! Falls can happen for any number of reasons, and “safety hazards are often hidden in basic household items such as furniture, rugs or pets,” says Jen Brandon, a … Each individual’s unique needs should be considered when deciding on chosen products. In fact, one out of five older adults who falls incurs a broken bone or a head injury.1 Wet floors, slippery stairs, and scattered toys all create the potential for falls. This is especially the case for families with young children or seniors. Keep all outside stairs clear of debris and hazards like ice and snow. Several home safety hazards exist that pose a threat to your family's health and security. Have your interior and exterior lights hooked up to a timer if you are going to be away overnight 4. Many of the workplace safety talks posted here on the site also apply to being safe at home. The Reality: The American Association of Poison Control Centers documented 33,705 incidents of people eating silica in 2010, nearly 90 per cent of them involving children under six. Install quality locks on doors and windows 2. By. They make up a third of all fatalities. Even a small toy can be a tripping hazard. Try not to create a home that feels too restrictive. Like many things, home safety begins with awareness. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time. Toilets and buckets are other common sites of household drownings. Consider investing in a smart smoke detector like Google Nest Protect† (about $119*). Injuries due to falls are one of the most common household hazards. Just how dangerous is it to plug in a toaster with wet hands, or to eat a silica gel packet? Rebecca is the lead safety reporter and in-house expert for SafeWise.com. You'll be shocked at what's really dangerous for children in your home. Learn about the safe use and storage of household products like cleaning liquids, as well as the meanings of hazard symbols. Whether you’re one of the 27% of Americans renting a home or you own the place, here are a few common safety hazards in older homes that you need to keep an eye out for and have fixed right away. Elderly Home Safety App. Prevent choking issues at home by considering these precautions: Window cords are responsible for one child death a month on average, due to strangulation – any type of external compression around the airway. You can find her work and contributions in places like TechCrunch, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, HGTV, MSN, and an ever-growing library of radio and TV clips. Injuries due to falls are one of the most common household hazards. Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher, like the Kidde FA110 (about $40*), handy in the kitchen or near the fireplace. Fire Safety Resources. In 2011, nearly 23,000 people over age 65 died and 2.4 million were treated in emergency departments because of falls. Smart Home Automation Devices to Get You Through the Toddler Years, "Window Covering Cords Information Center", "Bathtub Drownings: Beware of the Hazards and Risks to Young Children". For most, the word “home” conjures feelings of safety, warmth, and security. © Copyright 2021 SafeHome.org a Centerfield Media Company. Feel most comfortable, but they ’ re a risk when swimming or playing in another.! Two easy to install and keep little ones in case of a fresh burn only the very.. 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