1. Falls
Data indicates that injuries caused by falls are some of the most common household hazards. And for the most part, 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. If you need to 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
On top of stairs and ladders, slippery surfaces are the reason for 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. One other great strategy 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 simple safety measures. For example, make sure that you have working smoke detectors in each room of the house. Also, it’s an excellent idea to place a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, garage, and other places where fires may occur.
One more way to diminish 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 approach 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 thought of mold can be extremely unpleasant. But there is a lot you can do to prevent mold from growing in your house. One of the best ways to keep your house 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 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 news is that as long as the house is in good repair, your risk of being harmed by asbestos is low. If you suspect 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 taking a few simple precautions, it is possible to keep yourself and your household safe from these common hazards.
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