Our
homes are supposed to be a safe haven for us and our family. In reality they
are but still thousands of people are injured in their homes every year and
most of the time it is preventable. Here
are some common causes of accidents that you can easily avoid with very little
effort.
A Very Familiar Reminder
You’ve
heard this a thousand times, everyone
has but still it continues to happen way too often. Cleaning products, ALL chemicals MUST be kept
out of the reach of children. I suggest locking the cabinet that they are
stored in as well. Children are very
resourceful and may be capable of reaching places that you don’t expect. An
added word of caution: NEVER mix cleaners together. This can cause fires, toxic
fumes, burns and even explosions.
What Goes Up Must Come Down
Stairs are definitely one
of the biggest hazards in your home. We all know by now to make sure that
nothing is left on the steps that could cause us to trip but there are other
threats as well. If your steps have carpet be sure that it is tacked down
securely. Stairs without carpet should have some type of non-slip pad. Today a
sealer is also available for hardwood steps that is less slippery than standard
sealer. Finally please be sure that all the stairs in your home are well lit;
darkness and steps are not a good match.
Everybody Overlooks This One
Tall furniture can be very
dangerous. An 8 foot tall bookshelf can weigh much more than you do and if it
topples over it can even be deadly. Today’s entertainment centers can be quite
large and often contain decorative glass as well. It is well worth your time to
secure these items to the wall if possible. Most times this can be done simply
with a long screw or two that can go directly into a wall stud. If you have
masonry walls be sure to use the proper masonry screws / anchors. This advice
goes double if you live in an area that is prone to earthquakes, tornadoes or
severe winds.
Slips are Quite Common
It happens all the time.
It helps to think of your floors as an extension of the stairs. Again it’s best
not to leave loose items lying around and immediately wipe up any spills that
might occur. You might get distracted and forget that it’s there or someone
else may enter unexpectedly and there it is.
Loose carpet, sliding area
rugs, linoleum that is cracked or broken and sticking up are all an accident waiting
to happen. One of the most common causes of household injuries is that wet
bathroom floor. Bath mats or rubber backed rugs will make your privacy room a
thousand times safer.
The One That Everybody Forgets
Did you know that clothes dryers cause fires in thousands
of homes every year? Last year they were responsible for millions of dollars of
damage and even lost lives. It is very important that dryers be installed
properly and maintained on a regular basis. Proper venting to the outside of
the home is vital and gas dryers should ALWAYS be installed by a professional.
Dirty lint filters and clogged exhaust hoses are the
catalyst that starts dryer related fires and this is why you must clean the
lint filter before every use. It’s an easy habit to get into and is an easy way
to prevent an all too common tragedy. Be sure to check the exhaust hose from
time to time to be sure that it is not blocked as well. Also, NEVER use the
dryer on clothing or materials that have been soiled by flammable materials such
as gas or oil. When they heat up they will combust.
The One That
Everybody Hates
Alright, I admit it. I’m guilty of this one too. I don’t
always take the time to register new products that I buy for my home. Well….. that’s
a mistake. From time to time manufacturers need to recall a product for safety
related reasons and the only way that they have to notify you is when you have
registered with them. This really does happen from time to time and you need to
be informed if a new appliance or gadget has a defect that may be dangerous.
Take the time to fill out that silly little card or register online, it’s worth
the effort.
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