According to the National Safety Council, preventable injury-related deaths are more likely to occur in the home than any other area. This is a terrifying thought, but thankfully, most of these can be prevented if you know what to look for. And what’s more, they can also be treated if you know what you are doing.
Spend the necessary time to look over the following list and see what home changes you need to make in order to keep your family safe.
- Trips and Falls
A stumble may be a frequent mishap for both the young and the old, but while your little ones can usually bounce back quite quickly with minor first aid attention, seniors will require some additional assessments. In the event of a fall, insist that your older loved one doesn’t try to get up before you’ve established whether any injuries have taken place. If anything seems out of the ordinary, gently position a pillow beneath their head and then go find help. To avoid future falls in your home, remove all clutter, loose rugs, and electrical wires while wiping up wet surfaces as soon as possible.
- Cuts and Bruises
Whether chopping vegetables, stepping on broken glass, or mindlessly walking into your table, these types of accidents are usually insignificant and can be treated with sterilization or pressure from an ice pack. However, if bleeding persists or your movement is suddenly restricted, it may be best to ask for a professional opinion.
- Falling Objects
During their adventures, kids love to pull on anything and everything their hands can find, hence why it’s crucial that all large household units are fixed securely to their position (including your television, fridge, and bookshelves). On that same thought, don’t forget to look after yourself too and always ask someone for help if you’re attempting to retrieve a heavy object from a high up spot.
- Heavy Lifting
In times of moving house, many people try to be the hero and end up damaging their spine by lifting more than their frame can handle. It’s imperative that you are aware of your own capabilities, and even then you need to learn the proper lifting techniques. To be even safer, consider a back support brace to lock your posture in line.
- Burns
Your standard household is full of potential burn sources, including stoves, hair straighteners, chemical products, and even hot drinks. Your safest bet is to teach your children to stay away from these hazardous articles, but even then, accidents are bound to happen. If a burn injury does take place, first run the affected area under some cold water for 10 minutes, and then analyze whether it needs further attention or not. If the individual is having trouble breathing, seek medical help immediately.
- Choking
The scariest aspect of a choking episode is how fast one has to react. As impossible as it may seem, try to remain calm while attempting to get the victim to cough this blockage up, potentially by performing the Heimlich maneuver. It’s difficult to prevent incidents of food-related choking, but in a home with a small child, it’s important to frequently scour the area for small objects which might cause them any harm.
- Insect Stings
Insect stings are not usually something to worry about, but you should still keep a keen eye out for any allergic reactions which may require further professional care. Otherwise, simply remove the stinger with your fingernail or the side of a credit card to avoid administering any more poison, then wash the wound, followed by some cold pressure to reduce inflammation.
- Fires
Of all the household accidents, nothing will destroy everything you own and threaten your family in quite the same way as a fire can. It is vital that you test your smoke alarms regularly, get your house wiring checked for damage every 10 years, and always keep functional extinguishers by the stove and fireplace.
- Poison
It can be a little unsettling when you realize how many standard products around your house are toxic enough to jeopardize lives. These include cleaning chemicals, certain cosmetics, and medicine. Such substances need to be kept out of reach of children while the number for your local poison control should be on your phone at all times.
- Drowning
When living on a property with a swimming pool, a pond, or a water feature, it is only logical to fence off these areas for your children’s safety. However, kids have also been known to drown in bathtubs, hence why you must never leave them in water of any kind without supervision. In a worst case scenario, you may need to perform CPR, which is a procedure you should already know or must learn immediately.
Author: Metro Detroit Mommy Author
