Top 10 Safety Hazards At Home

Two years ago, a 4 years old boy accidentally shot and killed himself with a gun that is owned by his father. The accident happened in his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Until now, the case has not been settled yet.

In that case, his father did not realize that his gun could kill his boy. This accident is only one example of safety hazards that may persist in your home.

Many parents may do not realize about this hazard. They do not take enough care against safety hazards that may exist in their homes. What they can do is only to regret on what was happened. Of course it is too late and painful.

So, as a parent you must always be careful against safety hazards, which may harm your whole family members. Knowing precisely about them is a half-battle.

That’s why I write this article. It is to help you identify top ten safety hazards at home. You may find them all in your home. But, some of you may not. It is unique for each home.

Top 10 Safety Hazards at Home

You will be able to clearly see most of safety hazards below. But, there is one safety hazard that you cannot see, smell and taste.

I will list the invisible hazard first in order to get more attention from you since you will never know about its existence at all. Except, you use a detector.

  1. Carbon monoxide hazard. It is a toxic gas. People call it as silent killer since this gas is colorless, odorless and tasteless. You cannot use your sense to detect this gas. Detection can only be done by a carbon monoxide detector. Make sure that you have already had them installed in your home.
  2. Gun in the house. In the opening paragraph I already show a sad story related to danger of gun. If you have one in your home, make sure that your children are hindered to play it. Only you can use it.
  3. Slippery floor. Immediately dry up water and liquid spilled on the floor. Children under five years’ old and old parents may easily fall down and get injured. Watch your bathroom floor too since generally it is slippery.
  4. Sharp edge. I did not remember how many times my head got injured due to sharp edge especially at table edge. Installing table guard could be a great protection against this hazard.
  5. Fire hazard. Be careful with this hazard. You can easily find many sources of fire in your home; fireplace, gas stove, cigarette, candles including grills. Furthermore, fire hazard generates other hazards such as carbon monoxide poisoning.
  6. Small parts. Toy parts, needle, small magnet and any other small parts should be kept away from young children under five years’ old. Those things can be easily swallowed accidentally.
  7. Furniture tip-over. According to Consumer Product Safety Commission, between year 2000 to 2011 there were 105 fatalities involving furniture falling. This statistic should make you more careful about this kind of hazard.
  8. Electric hazards. AC outlet without plug, outlets close to water, defective electric wires and damage sockets are examples of electric hazards that are commonly found at home.
  9. Falling from height. Use ladder correctly when you try to repair something on the roof. And never used damage ladder to climb up. Falling from height may cause you injured and death. Never force yourself to climb up if you are unsure. Let the work done by experienced serviceman.
  10. Chemical hazards. Mosquito repellent, cleaning chemicals, plastic ware containing BPA and pesticides contain hazardous chemicals as their ingredients. Use those products as recommended by the manufacturers and keep out of reach of children.

Conclusion

Never think that you will only focus on those above safety hazards at home. Perhaps, there are still many other hazards at home. Always watch around your home.

And what you need to do is keeping out them from your whole family and if it is possible educates your family about those hazards since education is the best approach to protect your family from them.

Donna J. Seymour