Due to their age, children and the elderly are more prone to accidents, including ones that occur at home. From 2020 to 2021, around 575,000 hospitalisations in Australia stemmed from preventable injuries. Many accidents include falls and contact with objects, which may happen on any residential property. Those numbers could be much lower if homeowners took steps to ensure a safe home environment.
All homes should be a beacon of safety and comfort to their residents. When you have children or senior relatives living with you, the more you need to prioritise safety in and around your property.
It can be challenging to do when you don’t know where to start. So, let this article be your guide. Keep reading to learn the steps you must take for home safety.
1) Baby-proof All Rooms
One of the first steps is to make rooms safe for children. Methods include covering sharp corners and edges, installing child safety latches on cabinets, and others. You can check out these foolproof baby proofing tips for an in-depth guide to securing your home for children.
Aside from that, secure rugs with non-slip rug pads, non-toxic adhesives, or Velcro strips. Many accidents involve slipping on the floor. Keeping carpets and rugs in place should prevent children from sliding and hurting themselves when running. Anchor your larger pieces of furniture to the wall, too. Doing this will keep them from tipping over. You don’t know how strong and persistent kids are when they want to move something bigger.
Even if you don’t have kids, baby-proofing a home may also make it safe for adults. Seniors or people with motor skill issues might still bump into furniture and get injured. With baby-proofed furniture, you’re less likely to get poked by a sharp corner from a coffee table or desk.
2) Prioritise Your Bathrooms
There are approximately 3,700 bathroom-related injuries that occur in Queensland annually. Most of these instances happen in the tub or shower, where individuals are most vulnerable. Water is frequently on the tiles, and the floor could remain slippery even when mopped dry.
If you live with a senior, consider installing grab bars to assist them. Put them near the toilet and on the shower walls. Include non-slip mats, especially in the shower, tub, and sink. That way, there’ll be fewer chances of slipping on wet floors.
Also, never leave young children alone in the bathroom for a minute. Many preventable accidents can happen within that small timeframe.
3) Enhance Safety In The Kitchen
After bathrooms, kitchens are the second most danger-prone areas of a house. Fires, burns, and spills are some of the most common accidents that happen here.
To prevent a small, uncontrollable flame from growing, keep an accessible fire extinguisher in the kitchen. To avoid major spills or burns, turn the pot handles inward while cooking so you won’t knock them as you move.
Always check your stove and cooking appliances after using them. They mustn’t be left on or connected to outlets when not in use. Store cooking utensils and knives away from the kids’ reach.
Lastly, keep the kitchen clean and dry. Mould and bacteria love to grow in moist, dark places. They may cause illnesses that could infect your whole family.
4) Check The Electricals
Faulty wiring and power surges may affect your quality of life if not physically harm you through electrocution. Hence, you must regularly check all the wiring in your home.
Wires mustn’t be cracked or frayed. Call a licensed electrician to inspect and repair your damaged electrical wiring if you spot any. Replace worn-out electrical appliances to prevent malfunctions or fires and avoid overloading outlets and extension cords. You may connect as many as three plugs to a single outlet. But any more than that could pose a danger.
Also, consider putting socket plugs or power point covers over outlets. They’ll help keep curious little hands from getting electrocuted.
5) Keep Chemicals And Flammable Tools Out Of Reach
Labs aren’t the only places to receive a burn or chemical poisoning. These accidents may unfortunately also happen at home due to cleaners, fire-starting tools, and medicines.
To prevent consuming the wrong medication:
- Store all prescription medicine in their original containers.
- If you must transfer them, label them accordingly with the name, dose, and expiration date.
- Keep them in a high, dry place free from sunlight.
All cleaning supplies must also be kept in a properly locked cabinet away from the reach of small children or pets. The same goes for matches and lighters. Attach child-safety latches on cabinets containing strong chemicals and storage containers closer to the floor.
6) Install Detectors
People can get so busy with their day-to-day lives that some household dangers fly by over their heads. So, detectors are necessary for any sized home to alarm residents of a potential hazard.
Most people install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, the two most essential in homes. Other vital sensors you might need to install include the following:
- Gas leak monitor
- Water leak detector
- Indoor air quality monitor
- Security camera system
Having these devices in your home should help you act quickly in emergencies. Ample lighting in all the necessary spots is also essential. Proper lighting illuminates your path through rooms and on stairs. It’ll also protect your home from thieves while you’re on vacation by giving them the impression that someone’s inside.
A Safe Home Is A Happy Home
Every homeowner should make an effort to secure their home. Setting aside a budget and time of your day to improve your home’s safety will lessen the chances of anyone getting into an accident. So, before you settle in, follow these steps. You and your family deserve a peaceful place to live without worry.
