Common Home Accidents and How to Avoid Them

No matter what kind of work you do, or how good it feels to come home after a rough day at the office, safety statistics suggest you’d be better off staying at work. More people in this country die from accidents at home than at work—five times as many! More people are disabled in home accidents than in work injuries and car crashes combined. National Safety Council president Jerry Scannell stresses that all home accidents are preventable. Here are the most common home accidents and the NSC’s recommendations for preventing them.

1. Falls.

• Fasten carpet edges securely and put nonslip mats under area rugs.

• Keep telephone and electrical cords where they can’t be tripped over.

• Put away toys, clean up clutter, and move obstacles out of walkways.

• Wipe up all spills immediately.

• Use nonskid tub and shower mats and install grab bars in toilet and bath areas.

• Equip all indoor and outdoor staircases with securely fastened handrails along both sides. When it snows, use salt or cat litter on sidewalks and driveways to prevent slipping.

2. Poisoning. More than one million children under age five are accidentally poisoned every year.

• Lock drugs, household cleaners, and other potentially hazardous substances where children can’t get to them.

• Don’t leave children unattended in a garage, bathroom, kitchen, or any place where potential poisons are kept.

• Never store household cleaners in unmarked containers where they might be mistaken for something safe to drink.

3. Fire. Smoke detectors reduce the chance of fire fatalities by 40 to 50 percent, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

• Install a smoke detector in each bedroom and at least one on every floor of your home.

• Make sure your family is well drilled in an escape plan, including two ways to exit every room. Practice regularly so everyone learns to respond automatically and without panic.

4. Electrical shocks.

Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) are electrical outlets with quick-tripping circuit breakers that instantly shut off power if an appliance plugged into them overheats or comes in contact with water. They are now required in all new construction and remodeling jobs in bathrooms, kitchens, laundries—wherever shock hazards are greatest. If your home doesn’t have these life-saving electrical outlets, consider having them installed by an electrician.