There are many potential safety hazards in the average Middleton home. But the good news is that most of them can be avoided with a few simple precautions. some of the most common household hazards – and how to best avoid them – can help you keep your home environment as safe as possible.
1. Falls
Statistics reveal that injuries caused by falls are one of the most common household hazards. And most of the time, stairs and ladders are the cause. To improve safety around stairs, verify 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. If you must climb up 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
Other than stairs and ladders, slippery surfaces also cause many of the most common household injuries. To protect 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 great tactic is to place rugs in kitchen and bathroom areas, as well as inside each exterior door. If your feet are wet after a walk through the rain, be sure 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. But serious injury can often be avoided by taking a few easy precautionary measures. For instance, make sure that you have working smoke detectors in each room of the house. Likewise, it’s an excellent idea to place a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, garage, and other places where fires may occur.
One other way to lessen the risk 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 different types of fire. Never try to put out a cooking fire with water – it will make the fire bigger. How you should address this situation instead 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 extremely troublesome. But there is a lot you can do to prevent mold from growing in your house. One of the proven ways to make sure your house is kept 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 several steps can do a lot to keep mold from becoming a problem. If such measures still aren’t enough, 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. The good thing about this is that as long as the house is in good repair, your risk of being harmed by asbestos is low. If you have an inkling that your home 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 will only hurt you if the materials containing it are disturbed or damaged.
By applying a few simple precautions, it is possible to keep yourself and your household safe from these common hazards.
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