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.

• If you use portable heat sources (such as small electric or gas heaters) make sure they are placed away from things that could catch fire such as couches, chairs, drapes, and anything flammable.

• Develop an evacuation route to be used in the event of fire and make sure all family members know it. Have a meeting place where all members should check in. Periodic drills are a good way to make sure everyone knows what to do and where to go if there ever is a fire.

• Remember what most Americans were taught in school if your clothing should catch fire – stop, drop, and roll.

• If fire strikes, never open a door without feeling to see if it may be warm which could indicate a fire on the other side. To exit, crawl low to avoid as much smoke as possible.

• Consider a carbon monoxide detector for your home. Carbon monoxide poisoning doesn’t come from a fire but can occur when families tighten up the house for the winter. Wood burning stoves and other heat sources can also emit carbon monoxide into the air.

• If you enjoy candles, make sure that the candles are placed on non-flammable surfaces. Never leave candles burning as you sleep or when you are away from home. Extinguish candles when you leave the room.

Falls are another common cause of home injuries. Injuries can range from broken bones to head injuries such as concussion or serious internal injuries. Falls can happen in the bath or shower, on stairways, and anywhere in the home. Older adults are the most prone toward accidental falls but they can happen to anyone. To remove some of the hazards for falling in the home, follow these safety guidelines:

• Put a non-slip mat on the shower floor or in the tub. Newer models often have a non-slip substance built in but make sure that something is underfoot to provide a steady surface.

• Floors next to the shower or beside the bathtub can also be dangerous. Bath mats with rubber backing or heavy rugs that won’t slip provide steady footing.

• Towel racks are not sturdy enough to support your weight so never grab one for help.

• If handrails or banisters are not present on all stairways, install them. Use them when mounting the stairs for additional stability.

• Install light switches at the top and bottom of all staircases so that the steps can be illuminated. Being able to see where you’re going can help you to avoid falls.

• Smooth stairs are made much safer with traction grips. These can be purchased at almost any home improvement or hardware store. Avoid using stairs in sock feet – socks can be slippery and allow you to lose your balance, which could result in a nasty fall.

• If your home has concrete basement steps, paint the lowest step in a contrasting color with the floor. This increases depth perception and allows you to see clearly where the step ends.

• Outdoor steps should also be railed. Just three steps in or out of the house can be very dangerous without a handrail in place and most insurance companies require one to provide coverage.

• If you use throw rugs, choose rugs with rubber backs so they won’t slip easily.

• Don’t run electrical or extension cords across an area with high foot traffic because they are easy to trip over.

• Don’t overload a laundry basket or other bundle so high that you have difficulty seeing over the top especially if you will be using the stairs.

• If young children are present, remove any potential dangers out of reach. This is called childproofing and can prevent mishaps. Everything from plants that can be poisonous if eaten to glass coffee tables with edges that can cause ugly cuts in the event of a fall or mishap should be considered from a child’s eye view.

Other Home Dangers

Electricity lights and often heats our homes. It provides energy to cook our food and provide many labor saving services. Make sure that your home has ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). These devices monitor electricity as it is used and if an imbalance develops in the system, the GFCI will shut down power.

Use caution with electrical appliances such as curling irons and hair dryers in the bathroom. Remember that such an appliance dropped into water can cause electric shock, which can be fatal. Wipe up all water spills before using electric appliances in kitchen or bathroom.

All family members using power towels should do so with care. Use common sense and don’t allow children to use tools that could prove dangerous.

Never overload a plug-in or electrical circuit with too many appliances.

The kitchen is another room filled with potential dangers. Knives, appliances, a heat source, and other tools are helpful but can cause injury. Read use guides for all new appliances and apply common sense to kitchen work. Remember that a dull knife is much more likely to cause cuts than a sharpened blade because a dull knife requires more pressure, which can cause the knife to slip.

Safe food handling is another kitchen issue and although it may prevent illness rather than accident, safe food handling is very important. Make sure that all meats are cooked to a safe temperature with the use of a meat thermometer. Don't mix raw foods with cooked products. Wash hands after handling any raw food product and keep counters wiped clean with an antibacterial product. Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Refrigerate leftovers immediately. Never consume food that looks or smells rotten. Discard any product that could be tainted or is past the safe use date.

Home improvement projects can enhance the appearance of our homes and make life more pleasant. Many home injuries occur during home improvement projects. Some of the things to look out for while involved in do-it-yourself projects include:

• Ladders. Use safe ladder skills. Make sure any ladder that you plan to use is in good repair and is still sturdy. Don’t use a ladder alone – have a buddy who will watch and can summon help if you fall. Many people who fall alone and are injured may not be found for hours – if not longer. Keep a cordless phone handy to call for help if necessary.

• Use protective goggles, clothing, gloves, and ear protection when it is advisable. Don’t mow the lawn in sandals or flip-flops or use a chainsaw without protection. It takes just moments to don protective gear and you might save an eye, finger, toe, or prevent serious injuries.

• Be sure you know what you’re doing and that you know how to use the tool. If power tools are something new, consider taking a class. Many home improvement retailers offer free classes in how-tos.

Nightlights throughout your home are another inexpensive safety measure. A night light in each bedroom, living room, common areas such as dining room, den, or kitchen, and all bathrooms help to light the way for night time wanderers of all ages. A night-light may help you to see an obstacle that you might otherwise fall over.

Turn on exterior lights when you will be away from home and won’t return until after dark. Leave a small light burning inside so that you won’t enter in total darkness. Keep walkways clear inside and out. Avoid clutter. Keep items that could be dangerous – kitchen knives – out of reach of small children.