The most common accidents in the home are slips, trips and falls which invariably lead to injuries like broken bones and damaged ligaments, and the most common superficial injuries are cuts, bruises and burns. Other common accidents are trapped digits in doors and electric shocks from small appliances. Accidents in the home can happen at any time, but thankfully there are some steps that you can take to minimise the risk of them.
Here’s 10 easy steps recommended by us………
1) Clean up any spills
This applies to spills of any kind and even wiping down your bathroom floor after showering in order to prevent slipping. Ensure slippery surfaces are always liquid-free.
2) Tidy up your floors
You can trip up over anything from a plug cable to a shoe. Keep your home as tidy as possible to prevent tripping – and be extra vigilant if you have young children.
3) Don’t rush on the stairs
A lot of accidents happen on the stairs – most of the time because the person is in a rush and doesn’t judge the steps properly. Take your time and watch where you are going.
4) Respect electrical appliances
Toasters, microwaves, ovens, dishwashers and washing machines should never be operated with wet hands, and they should be serviced annually to ensure that they are safe for use.
5) Store all of your chemicals away in a dry and safe place
Household bleaches and other chemicals should be stored away in a dry place away from direct sunlight and out of the reach of children.
6) Wear hand protection in the kitchen when cutting
If you are using knives, then you should wear hand protection such as a chainmail glove or you should only cut things if you know a safe technique for doing so.
7) Be careful around the kettle and all hot water
Most burns at home happen when making a cup of tea or coffee. And so when doing so, concentrate on making your drink and don’t get distracted.
8) Consider wearing shoes in the house after you break a glass
If you break a glass, tiny fragments will settle on your floor that cannot be seen by the human eye at height. So even after you clean it up, consider wearing shoes.
9) Check your smoke alarms regularly
Your smoke alarm, or fire alarm, is an essential household safety item that needs to be checked regularly to ensure it works. Doing so could save your life.
10) Don’t take doors for granted
Trapped digits are one of the most common and panful injuries in the home. When using a door, remember to keep your hands close to you and don’t slam doors shut.
