Staying Safe at Home

More accidents happen in the home than anywhere else. Every year there are approximately 4000 deaths as the result of a home accident, and in 2002 there were 2.7 million home accidents requiring hospital treatment, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Avoiding accidents in the home

This doesn’t mean that the home is a particularly dangerous place. The reason we have so many accidents at home is that we spend so much time there, so there is more opportunity for accidents to occur.

However, it doesn’t hurt to take as much care as possible to prevent accidents happening at home. Here is a list of the ways you can adapt your home to make it as safe a place as possible.

Windows

Windows are potentially dangerous, particularly in high-rise buildings. To reduce the risk of falling, make sure that furniture is at a safe distance from windows and invest in restrictor catches for all upstairs windows. Always avoid leaning on windows.

Electrics

Water conducts electricity, so it is important to remove all electrical appliances from the bathroom. Wherever you are in the house, always remember to dry your hands thoroughly before handling electrical items.

Stairs

Many people suffer injuries after falling over objects left on the stairs. Keep halls and stairways clear of clutter and well lit to avoid slips, trip and falls.

Lights

When changing light bulbs on the ceiling, make sure you use a stable step-ladder or step-stool at the correct height. Using an unstable chair or an object which doesn’t allow you to reach easily will put you at risk of an accident.

Fire Safety

You are more than twice as likely to die in a fire at home if you don’t have a smoke alarm, according to Directgov. However, many people who have smoke alarms are still not protected, as they don’t realise it is switched off or out of order. Test smoke alarms monthly and make sure everyone in the family knows what to do in the event of a fire.

Cooker

The cooker is an area to watch out for when thinking about safety, particularly if you have children in the house. One easy step you can take to prevent burns and scalds is to use the rings or hobs at the back of the cooker first, and point pot handles backwards so they are unreachable for small children.

Spillages

Clear up any spillages straight away to reduce the risk of slipping. Also, if the floor is wet or damp after cleaning, make sure the other people in the house are made aware of this.

Bath

When running a bath, reduce the risk of scalding (particularly for small children) by running the cold tap first and testing the temperature of the water carefully. Once in the bath, small children should never be left unattended as they run a genuine risk of drowning.

Chemicals

Always store household chemicals such as medicines and bleach out of the reach of children. Ideally these should be stored in secure, high-level cupboards and never left lying around after use.

Heating

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a potential silent danger in the home. Reduce the risk of this, and of fires, by having oil, gas or solid fuel heaters serviced every year. Use guards for fires and ensure that you never have any curtains, furniture or clothes near to a heater or candle flame.

Plugs and Cables

Watch out for cracked plugs and worn cables as these can cause electric shocks and electrical fires, as can over loading sockets with large numbers of appliances. If you have children in the house, it is sensible to use socket guards for any sockets near the floor.