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Mar 31, 2023 · Numerous safety hazards could lurk in your home, and it’s important to be aware of them to keep yourself and your family safe. From slippery floors and uneven stairs to unsecured furniture and outdated electrical systems, many potential risks could cause harm.
Aug 9, 2024 · This guide is designed to help homeowners identify and reduce hazard risks in their residences. Specifically, we will go over top home hazards, methods for cultivating a safer home, household toxins, and the dangers that kids and older adults face.
May 25, 2022 · Fire safety in the home (accessible version) Updated 25 May 2022. Applies to England. Did you know…? You’re around 8 times more likely to die in a fire if you do not have a working smoke alarm...
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- Falls. Injuries due to falls are one of the most common hazards at home. In fact, one out of five older adults who falls incurs a broken bone or a head injury.1 Wet floors, slippery stairs, and scattered toys all create the potential for falls.
- Fires. One key to home safety is fire prevention. In 2020, there were more than 356,500 fires in US homes, causing everything from mild smoke damage to total devastation, including the loss of 2,630 lives.2 Even candles or an unattended iron can lead to accidental fires in your home, but there is a lot you can do to prevent a home fire from starting or getting out of hand.
- Carbon monoxide. Another potential danger in the house is carbon monoxide. Low exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) can cause headaches and dizziness, while high levels can lead to vomiting, impaired vision, and even death.
- Choking. Choking is the fourth-largest cause of accidental death in the US, claiming 3,000 victims in 2020.3 From a bite of dinner going down the wrong way to a young one accidentally swallowing a small item, choking is scary.
- Asbestos in Older Homes. Asbestos is found in many places within homes built before 1978. It's often in the insulation on old boilers and pipes and sometimes in pebblelike, loose vermiculite insulation used in attics and inside walls.
- Lead Paint Problems. Some house paints made before the 1980s contain lead, so if your home is older than that, there's a fair chance that lead paint lingers somewhere on its walls, trim or even its exterior.
- Electrical Fire Hazards. Although electrical fires are associated with faulty wiring, they can happen even in a home with new wiring if items plugged into outlets have undersized or damaged cords.
- Electrical Shock Hazards. Electrical shock in a home happens for a number of reasons. An outlet without a cover could be a shock hazard if the bare wires connected to the outlet are accidentally touched — so one of the most basic safety tips is, of course, to place a cover over all outlets.
Jan 18, 2024 · Causes and Risk Factors. Falls can occur due to environmental hazards or physiological factors that affect balance and mobility. Common causes include: Tripping over objects, tangled cords or rugs. Slippery surfaces like wet floors. Poor lighting conditions. Uneven steps or broken pavement/sidewalks. Unsecured carpets and rugs.
Home safety hazards and how to prevent them. Home safety is a major concern for new homeowners, the elderly and parents of young children. We've created this helpful checklist of safety hazards. Call 0800 068 7245.