There are lots of potential safety hazards in the average Old Southwest home. But the good news is that most of them can be avoided with a few simple precautions. Keep in mind some of the most common household hazards – and how to keep yourself safe from danger – can help you keep your home environment as safe as possible.
1. Falls
Reports indicate that injuries caused by falls are one of the most common household hazards. And more often than not, stairs and ladders are the cause. To improve safety around stairs, make sure that all staircases have sturdy handrails. If you have wood or concrete stairs, use non-slip mats or grip tape to improve traction. Avoid using ladders and stepstools as much as possible. In case you need to use a ladder or stool, make sure that the ladder or stool is securely positioned on a flat surface and have another person help steady it for you.
2. Slippery Surfaces
Aside from stairs and ladders, slippery surfaces are the cause behind the most common household injuries. To defend yourself from harm, make sure to clean floors often to remove grease or spills. Use the correct type of floor cleaner and avoid walking on wet floors. Another easy way is to place rugs in kitchen and bathroom areas, as well as inside each exterior door. If your feet are wet after a walk over the rain, always remember to remove or wipe your shoes carefully to avoid slips and falls.
3. Fire
One of the most fatal of the household hazards on our list is fire. Yet serious injury can often be avoided by taking a few simple steps. For instance, make sure that you have working smoke detectors in each room of the house. Also, it is a smart idea to place a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, garage, and other places where fires may occur.
Another move to reduce the incidence of fire is to be careful when cooking, especially when using oil for frying. Never leave pans of oil, candles, or other open flames unattended. Finally, know your fire safety plan and how to put out different types of fire. Never try to put out a cooking fire with water – it will make the fire bigger. Alternatively, how you can overcome this scenario is to turn off the heat source and smother it with the pot lid, salt or baking soda, or use a fire extinguisher if it gets too big.
4. Mold
The idea of mold can be terrible. But there is a lot you can do to prevent mold from growing in your house. Some of the easiest methods to keep your property mold-free is to keep your plumbing in good repair, and all areas of your house dry. Airing out steamy bathrooms, ventilating rooms with condensation build-up, and other methods can do a lot to keep mold from growing and becoming a big problem. If such a strategy is still not sufficient, consider using mold-resistant products to prevent mold from growing in the walls.
5. Asbestos
If you live in an older home, you may be worried about exposure to asbestos. Fortunately, it appears that as long as the house is in good repair, your risk of being harmed by asbestos is low. If you figure out that your house has asbestos-containing materials, do your best to leave those areas undisturbed. Avoid putting nails in the walls or otherwise damaging them. If you need to remodel, you will need to have qualified professionals come in to handle the asbestos-containing materials properly. Asbestos can only affect you if the materials containing it are disturbed or damaged.
By following these few simple precautions, it is possible to keep yourself and your household safe from these common hazards.
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