National Safety Month: Identifying and Preventing Home Safety Hazards!

 

National safety month is a time to refresh your memory on potential home safety hazards! Fleenor Security is here to help keep your home safe and secure. Below is a list of the most common home safety hazards, designed to help homeowners identify and prevent potential risks.

Poisoning

Poisoning affects people of all ages. Numerous household items can be poisonous if improperly used or fall into the hands of children. The good news is there are easy steps to implement to prevent accidental poisoning.

• Store medicines and vitamins out of reach of children. Avoid storing these items on countertops, tables, or near other food items.
• Store household cleaners, paint, and other chemicals, on a high shelf or cabinet out of children’s reach. If this is not an option, consider purchasing a lock to secure lower cabinets.
• Do not use old food or beverage containers to store toxic chemicals or cleaners. This serves as a potential risk for both children and adults.
• Install a working carbon monoxide detector. Carbon Monoxide is known as the silent killer as it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. For more information, visit Fleenor Security Carbon Monoxide Blog.
• Before using pesticides, move all family members and pets out of the room.

 

Falling

Home is where we spend most of our time. This is why six out of every ten falls happen within the home! There are several steps to take to help minimize the risk of accidental falls.

• Use safety gates throughout your home to block off staircases and other hazardous areas.
• Keep the floors dry and tidy to prevent slipping in rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen. Keep all walkways free of clutter to prevent tripping over common household objects.
• We all love our pets, but they can serve as a potential risk if not properly trained. Consider obedience training and allow adequate exercise time to allow your pet to get out any stored-up energy.
• Ensure that all staircases and walkways are well lit, have appropriate handrails, and are free of clutter. Consider painting staircases a bright color to enhance their visibility.
• Keep sturdy step stools on hand to use when reaching for items in high places.
• Require all children under the age of 18 to wear a helmet while riding a bike, skateboard, or other personal transportation device. Helmets aim to reduce the risk of more serious head and brain injuries by reducing impact.

 

If you are concerned about falling, consider getting an emergency response system. If you fall or need emergency assistance, you can push a button on a necklace or bracelet to alert family, caregivers, or local authorities. Fleenor Security can assist in bringing peace of mind to you and your loved ones.

 

Fires and Burns

According to the U.S. Fire Administration,

cooking accounted for 30% of all residential fires. Here are a few simple steps you can take to help prevent accidental fires and burns.

• Install smoke detectors throughout your home. Smoke alarms should be placed outside each sleeping area. There should be at least one on each level of your home.
• Test smoke alarms once a month to ensure they are working properly. Replace batteries if needed. Consider installing monitored smoke detectors to increase the safety of your home.
• The kitchen is the leading cause of home fires. Never leave your stove unattended and use the back burners to help prevent accidental burns.
• Ensure you have a working fire extinguisher within your home. For more information on how to use a fire extinguisher, visit the Fleenor Security Fire Safety Blog.
• Keep chimneys and dryer exhaust clear and well ventilated. Have them cleaned and checked regularly.
• Keep candles, curling/flat irons, and clothes irons out of children’s reach and away from flammable materials. Never leave these items unattended.

 

 

Drowning

Water can be great summer fun – but it can also be deadly. Consider these water safety tips for natural bodies of water, swimming pools, and other home hazards.

• Block off the pool and hot tub access. Install a four-sided fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate around pools. Keep the gate closed and always locked to ensure children can’t easily fall into deep water.
• Never leave babies or toddlers in the bath alone. Attend to them 100% of the time. Consider installing a safety latch on all bathroom doors and toilet lids.
• If you have a pool on your property, have it inspected to ensure all drains are properly working. A broken drain or drain cover can serve as a danger to both children and adults as it has powerful suction.
• Do not consume alcohol while boating, swimming, or supervising children.
• Never level open containers of water unattended, such as large buckets or baby pools.
• All parents and caregivers should have proper training in CPR.
• Consider installing an alarm on the door leading to the pool area or purchasing a pool alarm. These items are not a replacement for other safety measures such as adult supervision and pool fencing.

 

This guide serves as a starting point for homeowners to identify and reduce common household hazards. Homeowners should seek further information from security professionals, local guidelines, and medical professionals. Fleenor Security is here to help keep your home safe and secure. Contact us for a free security consultation to help further identify potential safety hazards within your home or business.