There are several potential safety hazards in the average Toano home. The good news about this is that most of them can be avoided with a few simple precautions. Understanding some of the most common household hazards – and how to efficiently avoid them – can help you keep your home environment as safe as possible.
1. Falls
Data shows that injuries caused by falls are one of the most common household hazards. And for the most part, stairs and ladders are the cause. To improve safety around stairs, guarantee 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 have 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
Other than stairs and ladders, slippery surfaces cause many of the most common household injuries. To keep yourself protected 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 good plan 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 several precautionary measures. For example, make sure that you have working smoke detectors in each room of the house. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to place a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, garage, and other places where fires may occur.
Another 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 upsetting. But there is a lot you can do to prevent mold from growing in your house. One of the most efficient 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 lack resolution, 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 feel like 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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