5 Home Safety Topics To Discuss With Family and Friends

Over 53% of injuries occur at home, which shows we must be on the lookout to remove any risks, especially if we live with vulnerable relatives.

Our homes are riddled with hazards, from potentially tripping over wires to having a broken fire alarm. Because of this, homeowners should come equipped with a checklist so they can make adjustments before visitors arrive.

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. Here are our top five home safety topics to discuss with your household.

1. Poisoning

Being aware of toxic substances is important to making your home safe. The problem is that many everyday products are pumped with harmful toxins, such as lead paint, certain cleaning products, and carbon monoxide.

To prevent this, keep paint and cleaning products out of reach, especially if you have children. You should also install a carbon monoxide detector and run tests every six months to check if they work.

2. Falls

Over 800,000 Americans are hospitalized after a fall injury every year, which shows it’s one of the top household hazards.

If you’ve got a staircase, install solid handrails and make sure the flooring is stable, as doing so will prevent accidents. You should also cover slippery surfaces, such as the bathroom, and install safety rails if you live with elderly relatives. Further, ask everyone to pick up toys or small items that could become a trip hazard.

3. Fires

One of the most important home safety measures is installing fire alarms. Fires often occur because of cooking errors, faulty electricals, and smoking accidents.

To be safe, monitor your cooking appliances and unplug them when they’re not in use, especially if you’re going on vacation for an extended period. You should also have a fire extinguisher handy and limit clutter around space heaters or stoves, as they could spark.

Further, homeowners should prevent burns from occurring. For instance, use the back burners on the stove, as doing so makes it more difficult to knock over a pan or burn yourself.

4. Strangling

Out of all the physical hazards, strangling is prevalent, especially with infants. Store electrical cords and never leave them lying around if there isn’t an adult present. You should also trim or remove window cords so children can’t grab them and potentially injure themselves.

5. Drowning

Homeowners with swimming pools should go the extra mile with safety measures. For instance, consider choosing a fence company to keep the pool off-limits to children, and lock it when not in use.

Parents should monitor their kids and recognize signs of drowning so they can take immediate action. Also, familiarize yourself with rescue techniques like CPR, as it could save a life.

Discuss These Home Safety Topics Today

Hopefully, this article has prepared you with home safety topics to discuss with your family.

Make sure you take safety precautions to prevent poisoning, falls, and even strangling. You should also prevent the risk of drowning and fires by preparing your home before moving in. Good luck!

If you enjoyed this article, then check out the rest of our blog for more lifesaving tips.