Home is often our favorite place to be but it is not always the safest. Seven million Americans suffer injuries each year at home and almost thirty thousand die from home related accidents. Learn how you can stay safe at home.
Although there is no place like home, home can be dangerous. Seven million Americans each year become injured in home accidents and 28,000 additional Americans die. Serious injuries can and do occur at home but there are safety measures that can be put into place that can minimize the possibility of an injury accident. The most common home safety issues stem from electrical, falls, fires, home improvement injuries, and stairway accidents.
Fires and Falls
Most fire fatalities in the United States happen to people who die from smoke inhalation. A smoke alarm is the first line of defense to prevent smoke inhalation deaths. Opt for a battery operated smoke detector that will work whether the electricity is on or not. Change the batteries twice each year. A good rule of thumb is to change smoke detector batteries when the time changes. When you move clocks forward for spring or back in the fall, take a few extra moments to put fresh batteries in all smoke alarms.
Test batteries monthly and put a smoke detector on each level of your home. Larger homes may require a smoke detector for each bedroom and if your home has a basement, install an additional smoke detector there.
Other simple fire safety reminders include:
Never leave food on the stove unattended. Frying foods present the greatest danger to burn. If a stovetop fire does happen, smother it by placing a lid over the pan. Baking soda is another way to smother a fire so be sure to have some in a convenient place (such as a cabinet) when you cook.
Invest a few dollars in home fire extinguishers. Place one in the kitchen and others in any fire risk area such as near a wood stove or fireplace. Learn to use a fire extinguisher so if it is ever necessary, you will be able to extinguish the fire.
Have chimneys, fireplaces, and wood burning or other heat stoves checked by a professional each year. Chimneys and stovepipes need to be cleaned to avoid the build-up of creosote, a dangerous by-product that can ignite.
Ask a professional to check all electric or gas furnaces on an annual basis. Keep filters clean and make sure all heat vents or registers are free of anything flammable.