Home is supposed to be a place where you go to feel safe and secure. Unfortunately, home is where many accidents occur as well. The main cause of death in children and young adults is injury. Accidental injuries that occur at home account for around 45 percent of these deaths. Some of the more common types of injuries that happen at home include falls, suffocation, poisoning, burns, drowning, fire arm accidents and choking. Whether a child is at home alone or with adults present, injuries can still happen. It's time for teachers, parents and kids to work together to prevent these accidents from happening. One of the best ways to make sure that your home is safe is to actively inspect each room for potential hazards. Frequent inspections, along with having a plan for what to do in case of an emergency, are your best tools for preventing injury and death in your home.
While kitchens are great for preparing and enjoying meals, they also usually contain quite a few potential hazards. Hot ovens and stove tops, electrical appliances and sharp utensils are among the potential dangers that are commonly found in kitchens.
Bathrooms are frequently used rooms in most homes. Some common accidents that happen in bathrooms include falling on slippery surfaces, poisoning from various medications and injuries from various personal care items like razors or curling irons.
Bedrooms, playrooms and nurseries provide places of retreat, recreation and rest, but they also can harbor hidden dangers. Practicing fire arm safety and checking kids' and babies' rooms for hazards and recalled products are among the ways you can keep these areas of your home safe.
Falls are the number one cause of accidental injury in children. Keeping floors and windows safe is one of the best ways to prevent injuries related to falling.
The ventilation system of a home is essential for enjoying a comfortable climate. The electrical system also is extremely important due to the vast number of household system, appliances and gadgets that run off of electricity. Ventilation, however, can be dangerous if you are breathing harmful chemicals. Heating systems also have the potential to cause serious burns, and electricity is extremely dangerous when handled the wrong way.
The garage and the laundry room are useful parts of a house that allow you to store items, work on projects and clean your clothes. However, these areas also tend to contain dangerous chemicals and tools that can harm you if you aren't careful.
Accidents don't just happen inside the home. They also frequently occur around the home in areas around or near the yard. Backyard swimming pools can be extremely dangerous; the second leading cause of accidental death in kids is drowning. Swing sets, grills, ladders and pets also present other outdoor concerns.
Some safety concerns affect the entire home or specific populations of people within the home. Having a plan in case of a fire or bad weather is important for the entire family. Babies and the elderly have special needs that need to be considered when you are evaluating your home for safety. Internet safety is an extremely critical area of concern. Besides gaining exposure to inappropriate material on the Web, kids also are at risk for being approached by online predators.
Sometimes accidents happen even with the best preparations and precautions. Although you can't control every factor, you can make your home much safer by following these guidelines. It is very important for teachers, parents and children to discuss home safety ideas together. It is even more critical to put these ideas into action.
