Did you know that around one-third of
injuries happen in the comfort of our homes?
We all like to think of our homes as
sanctuaries of comfort and security, but there is actually a wide array of
hazards that lurk around our homes. Young children and the elderly have the
highest risk for at-home injuries and accidents.
A study conducted by the Home Safety
Council reveals that unintentional home injuries result in nearly 21 million medical
visits each year – equivalent to $220 billion in medical costs, There are also
records of 20,000 deaths, 2000 of which are children.
Keeping your family safe starts with giving
them a safe place to live. To kick start your personal awareness on home safety,
the first step is to educate yourself on common safety hazards present in the
average home.
We’ve compiled the 5 most common household
safety hazards, along with simple, cost-effective ways to make sure you are on
top of your game in keeping your family safe.
Falls
The simplest of hazards ends up being one
of the worse. In fact, Falls are the leading cause of home injury deaths both
for young children and adults. One in every three people suffers a fall that
causes moderate or severe injuries and increases the risk of death.
To prevent falls, stabilize staircases and
install supports to assist family members. Also, keep the place clear of debris
or anything you can trip over.
Poisoning
Poisoning is the second leading cause of
deadly accidents in the home, taking about 5,000 lives every year. This safety
hazard is most common in young adults and people in their middle ages.
Poisoning is often caused by unsafe storage of medications and improper mixing
of drugs.
Reduce the risk of poisoning by keeping all
the drugs and toxic material in a safe place and out of the prying hands of the
children.
Fire and Burns
Residential fires and burns are the third the leading cause of accidental home injury deaths, claiming more than 3,000 lives
a year. An unattended iron, candles, and other fire hazards could lead to an
accidental fire in the household.
To prevent fires and burn from escalating,
religiously check if appliances are in good working order and have plenty of
working smoke alarms. Also, learn how to use a fire extinguisher to stop the
fire while it is in its early stages.
Airway Obstruction
Obstructed airway injuries (choking,
suffocation and strangulation) are the fourth leading cause of unintentional
deaths in the home. It claims about 1,000 fatalities every year, mostly young
children below 2 years of age.
To minimize the risk, pay special attention
during their meal and playtime as it is very easy for kids to choke or
suffocate on little things. Monitor their food, toys and keep dangers out of
reach.
Drowning
Water-related injuries, particularly
drowning, is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4. Water is a
high threat to children as they can drown in as little as 2 inches of water.
Eliminate the risk of drowning by
monitoring your children during their bath time. NEVER leave them unattended in
a bathtub or any places with water sources.
Nothing is more important than the safety
of our family members. This article is just an overview of what you need to
know to make your house safe. Hope this sparks your awareness of home safety
and give you some useful tips to keep these hazards from hurting our loved
ones.
Visit us at https://www.firstaidpro.com.au/
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