A home comes with plenty of safety concerns. Whether you’re welcoming a new family member or moving into your family’s first home, you’ll need to know how to make your house safer. Here are the five biggest safety issues in your home and what to do about each of them.
The Pool
Three children die every day from drowning, so don’t let children in your home be at risk of drowning. If you have a pool in your home (and it’s perfectly safe to have a swimming pool), take the appropriate safety procedures. Tell your children that they can’t swim unless an adult is there. Then check out safety fences for pools and have one installed around your swimming pool. A fence will give you peace of mind and ensure that your kids can’t access the pool without you there. As a pool owner, it’s your responsibility to keep everyone who uses it safe. Teach your family pool safety and make sure they follow the rules.
Cleaning Supplies
Common cleaning supplies pose a serious risk to young children. Because they cannot read, they don’t realize that these products are dangerous and can mistake liquid cleaning supplies for something they’re able to drink. Parents often find themselves calling poison control because their kids have found the window cleaner or bleach and made a fatal error. Make sure all dangerous products are locked in a cupboard and can’t be accessed by any kids. Small children are curious, so don’t let them find items that could hurt them.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is full of hazards you’ll need to be aware of. The knives in your kitchen are extremely dangerous, so make sure they’re put away in high, child-locked cupboards. When you’re cutting on the kitchen counter, put the knife in the dishwasher immediately after you’re done. The stove also poses a danger to children, so use the back burners that children can’t reach and turn handles in so they can’t grab them. Whenever you’re using anything in the kitchen, be aware of potential risks and never leave your children in the room without the supervision of an adult.
The Stairs
Did you know that stairs are the leading cause of home accident deaths? They can be a risk for everyone in your home, from a small child to a grandparent. A fall could cause lasting medical problems, especially for the elderly who can suffer from broken hips or other bones. Also, people of all ages have suffered from falls due to stairs, so taking care of this safety risk could help everyone in the home. You can place a gate at the top and bottom of the stairs to prevent children or older adults from tackling the stairs by themselves. You could even factor this risk into your choice of home and opt for a house that does not have any stairs. Either way, keep this danger in mind and do what you can to keep the family safe.
Electrical Outlets
There are plenty of electrical hazards in the home, so do what you can to eliminate potential threats. Keep electrical appliances away from water, such as the bathtub or kitchen sink. Curious children will want to touch electrical outlets that they can reach, so put outlet covers on any that kids could touch. Don’t cover cords or wires with blankets or furniture, and make sure no electrical items are overheating. If you’re not sure about the lifespan of your home’s lightbulbs or wires, call an electrician. He or she can take a look and let you know the potential dangers in your house.
There are plenty of dangers in the home, but as long as you’re aware of what they are and do your best to mitigate them, your family will stay safe and sound.
