Your home is supposed to be a haven for you and your family. However, accidents and other hazards like chemicals and fires can threaten everyone’s safety. But the good news is that most household accidents are preventable; understanding the most common safety issues is a great step to achieving success. Here are some important tips to address common hazards at home.
- Look out for food poisoning
A myriad of household items, including medications, cleaning supplies, and fuel, can present poisoning risks. It would help if you keep such products out of reach of kids to reduce the case of accidental ingestion. Do not keep chemicals in bottles that could easily be mistaken for a food item like a soft drink. Carbon monoxide is another common source of poisoning in homes. The poisonous gas can invade your space due to appliances that depend on fossil fuels. Detecting it with your naked senses is not easy, so you may want to install a carbon monoxide detector and properly maintain all appliances that have the potential to leak the poisonous gas.
- Reduce fire risks
Fires are among the most common home hazards, killing thousands of people annually. Neglected flames from a candle can be dangerous as they can spread to flammable materials. Unfortunately, many homeowners overlook this threat as they go about their daily routines. Fire property damage is expensive. Therefore, prevent the hazard by being careful with flames within your home. Store candles out of the reach of children and far from flammable materials like wooden furniture. Also, avoid leaving a burning stove unattended for far too long. Turning off the appliance is a good idea when you want to get something away. After all, staying safe is better than saying sorry. Prepare for fires by installing smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in handy rooms. Overcoming the traumatic experience of a home fire often takes time. So, consider using residential fire damage cleanup services to help recover fast when fire disasters strike. Fire and smoke cleanup experts can help your family or business with cleanup and restoration following a devastating fire.
- Prevent water damage
Water damage is the next biggest concern every homeowner should watch for, as it can be costly to fix. Fortunately, you can use several strategies to cut the risk of water damage. For instance, consider installing water sensors in your home and remember to turn off the main water valves in your house when leaving. Regularly inspecting potential leak areas like bathtubs, washing machine hoses, and showers is highly recommended. Another way to prevent water damage is to winter-proof your pipes and install outdoor hoses after using them in the fall.
- Avoid drowning
Children, especially toddlers, should never go near the poolside unsupervised. Swimming pool drowning is one of the leading causes of death among young kids aged four. For children aged between five and fourteen, drowning is second to car crashes as the reason for injury or death. Water hazards are a threat to everyone, regardless of age. This is one reason that makes fencing off your pool a good decision. You can further reduce drowning risks by covering your hot tub when adults are not around, or it’s not in use.
