Common Safety Hazards in the Home

You may not even realize it, but the average home is full of safety hazards. When you’re a parent, your duty is to keep your children safe, so you must be able to identify any risks. Be aware of these common safety hazards in the home.

Falls

Especially if you have young children, falls are common safety hazards against which to guard. Pick up any objects on the ground that could be tripping hazards, and always clean up slippery spills right away. If you have a baby or toddler, put a gate at the top of each staircase in your home to prevent falls down the stairs. Also, always lock the exterior doors or put door handle safety guards on to prevent a child from wandering out when you least expect it.

Poisoning

Many cleaners, pesticides, and other household supplies are poisonous and can be lethal if ingested. Keep dangerous products out of reach of children or in a cabinet with a childproof lock. If your child should ever ingest or have a reaction you would want to contact poison control below.

Fire

Even a small flame can start a huge fire, so be sure to take appropriate fire precautions in your home. If you don’t already have them, install smoke detectors and fire alarms throughout your home. Have at least one fire extinguisher on hand in case of an accident, and monitor children around candles, the stove, and other flames to prevent accidents or burns.

Fumes

You’d be surprised to learn the amount of toxic fumes that can find their ways into your home. Kitchen fumes are some of the main sources of these dangerous gases, and breathing them in can be unhealthy. Carbon monoxide fumes in particular can be incredibly dangerous and even lethal, so guard against them by installing carbon monoxide detectors.

Choking

Little children will eat anything, so be sure your house is free of choking hazards. Identify and move any small objects that could be considered hazards, and always pay attention to what your children have in their mouths and be around watching when eating.

Drowning

Even if you don’t have a pool or body of water in your yard, drowning is a safety hazard for children. Always monitor young children during bath time; be sure to close toilet lids, and empty items such as sinks and buckets after use.

If you have a pool be sure to check out my post on pool safety as spring and summer are quickly approaching.

Sharp Objects

Sharp objects abound in most houses, especially in the kitchen. Keep items such as scissors and knives as well as other sharp household objects out of reach of small children.

Now that you know about these common safety hazards in the home, take appropriate measures to keep your children and the other members of your home safe. Always remember, it’s better to take preventative measures now than to deal with the consequences of not doing so later.

Sincerely,