- Install safety systems such as smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, handrails, and grab bars to help prevent fires, falls, and injuries.
- Water-filter home water to avoid contaminants that can cause illness.
- Install security systems such as cameras or alarms for extra protection against intruders.
- Childproof the home by covering electrical outlets with covers and using rubber edge protectors on furniture.
- Store all medications securely out of reach to reduce the risk of accidental poisoning.
Staying safe at home is an essential part of ensuring a healthy lifestyle. Home is where a person spends most of their time, and people must understand what steps to take to stay safe while in their homes.
Numerous risks are associated with spending time at home, such as home fires, falls, and accidental poisonings or overdoses. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), nearly 350,000 structure fires occur each year in the United States, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths and almost $12 billion in direct property damage. In addition, unintentional falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries and fatalities for 65 years or older. One of five falls causes a severe injury such as broken bones or a head injury.
Safety at home should be a priority, especially for older or more vulnerable people. Here are a few tips to consider when staying safe at home:
Safety Systems
The home should be a safe place for all who live there, and the best way to ensure this is to have a safety system in place. A safety system can help prevent fires, falls, and other dangers from occurring. Here are some examples of how having a safety system can keep you safer at home:
Fire Prevention Systems
An efficient fire prevention system in your home is essential to alert you when smoke or heat is detected. The NFPA recommends having both smoke alarms and fire extinguishers installed. Smoke alarms should be placed on every level of the house. Fire extinguishers should also be placed near potential sources of fire, such as the kitchen, garage, or furnace room.
Fall Prevention Systems
Falls can cause severe injury or death, so it’s essential to have fall prevention systems at home. One way to decrease the risk of falling is by ensuring all floors are free from clutter and obstacles that could trip someone up. It’s also essential to install handrails along staircases and grab bars in bathrooms that don’t already have them installed.
Poisoning Prevention Systems
Most unintentional drug poisonings occur at home due to taking too much medication or mixing medications that shouldn’t be mixed. To reduce the chance of poisoning in your home, you must keep hazardous chemicals out of reach in a locked space. The poisonous items must be out of reach from children, making it ideal to use elevated storage solutions.
Security Systems
Installing security systems such as cameras or alarm systems around the house can give people peace of mind knowing that their homes are being monitored even when no one is around. Security systems can sense motion around doors and windows for added protection against intruders entering the property uninvited.
Water Filtration
Water safety is an essential part of staying safe at home. While tap water may look clean and clear, it can contain impurities that can make people sick or cause serious illness if consumed. Homeowners must take the necessary steps to protect their families from these unseen contaminants in their water supply.
Having access to safe drinking water is essential for good health and well-being, so testing your water is the best way to ensure its safety. Homeowners should use home tap water test kits to test their tap water for any potential contaminants that could be present in the drinking water. These kits are available for purchase at local home improvement stores or online retailers, and they will help determine whether or not any hazardous substances are present in the water.
Childproof Design
Home design should also consider any potential safety risks for children, such as sharp edges on furniture or electric outlets that are within reach. Childproofing the home by covering electric outlets with child-safe covers and using rubber edge protectors on furniture is essential.
There are many other ways to childproof the home, the most important being to keep small objects and chemicals out of reach of young children. Ensuring that all substances and medications are stored securely and out of reach is essential for keeping children safe.
Final Thoughts
By following these tips, people can ensure their homes are as safe as possible. Understanding the risks associated with home safety and ensuring that all necessary precautions can make a huge difference in protecting those living there from potential harm. Staying safe at home should be everyone’s top priority to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
