Prevent Accidents by Maintaining a Safe Home

The number of Americans that die each year due to accidents taking place in the home is greater than 18,000. This means that the home is the second most prevalent location for fatalities in this vein. Many Americans lack awareness that such accidents are preventable. Some safety tips that are easy to apply can help to avoid injuries and deaths in the home.

Falls

Several rooms and spaces in the home have a greater potential for falls than others. Bathrooms, stairwells, and certain situations throughout the house create circumstances that are more prone to injuries due to falling. In the bathroom, try a grab bar attached to the shower wall for extra support. Non Skid decals can help make slippery tubs safer to stand in.

For stairwells, have light switches installed at both the top and bottom so fumbling in the dark for the next step is not a hazard. Handrails are a must. Reflective tape placed at basement steps' front edges will increase visibility. Check stairs for carpeting that is frayed or loose and repair as necessary. Throw rugs should not be placed at either the bottom or top of staircases; curling edges and sliding surfaces create a danger.

Throughout the house, certain habits can be hazardous. When reaching for an item on a shelf at the top of a cabinet, do not rely on balancing on a stool or kitchen chair. Instead, when you need a helpful boost, make sure there is a sturdy step stool handy. Many fold out for ease of storage, with rails to help maintain balance and stable platforms on which to stand. Also, keep in mind that night-lights need not be limited to use by children. Guests and midnight wanderers will benefit from carefully positioned lights near bathrooms, bedrooms, and stairwells.

Fires

Smoke detectors are a must in every level of the home; this is most important in the kitchen, basement, and bedrooms. A smart smoke detector, carefully positioned and with the batteries changed every six months, can save lives. Keep the home properly maintained, ensuring that furnaces, fireplaces, and chimneys are cleaned properly. A yearly check of electric wiring by an electrician is also a wise move in preventing electrical fires. Be careful with candles; never leave one lit when leaving the home or sleeping. And be prepared for fires, with a plan for fire safety that everyone in the home knows to follow so a fire does not become a lethal tragedy.

Burglaries

There are several steps to take that will make life difficult for would-be burglars. Most burglaries take place during the day when people are at work or running errands. Vacations are an especially dangerous time. When away from the home, be sure that someone picks up the mail and newspaper along with any flyers or pamphlets that are left to clutter the front of the home.

Do not plant shrubs where they will provide handy concealment for intruders. Be sure that no trees near the house provide useful access for burglars. Keep expensive items like bicycles and barbecue grills in the garage. Motion sensor lighting around the house, particularly at entrances, can help spook trespassers. Keep your car secured; never leave expensive valuables like purses, cell phones, and GPS devices outside and visible.

Many dangers surround basic life in a home. Falls, fires, and burglaries are among the most prevalent, and these can all be prevented by taking a variety of simple steps. Other hazards, like choking, poisons, and drowning, are also preventable with basic safety and common sense. Keep these tips in mind while safety-proofing the home to ensure no easily preventable accidents become lethal circumstances.