We tend to think of our
homes as the safest place to be that provide us with comfort and security, but our
homes don’t guarantee us from being 100% safe from everything. Accidents of all kinds can happen anywhere.
In fact, every year more than 18,000 Americans die from accidental injuries
that take place in the house, making our homes the second most common location
– behind cars on the road – for fatalities. The typical American home can
actually come with some big safety risks. Here are some common accidents that
occur in houses and some tips to help prevent them.
1. Falls
Falling is the leading cause of unintentional home injury deaths. According to the Home Safety Council, it claims nearly 6,000 lives every year. Falls are common in bathtubs and showers so it’s recommended to have grab-bars to hold onto. This is especially important for senior citizens. Bathroom falls can be very bad because you’re falling onto such a hard surface and that can result in severe injury. Staircases are another common place in homes for falls. If your home has a staircase, make sure there is nothing in the way of the staircase or on the steps that can cause you to trip over it and fall. Don’t go down stairs in complete darkness; always turn a light on.
Falling is the leading cause of unintentional home injury deaths. According to the Home Safety Council, it claims nearly 6,000 lives every year. Falls are common in bathtubs and showers so it’s recommended to have grab-bars to hold onto. This is especially important for senior citizens. Bathroom falls can be very bad because you’re falling onto such a hard surface and that can result in severe injury. Staircases are another common place in homes for falls. If your home has a staircase, make sure there is nothing in the way of the staircase or on the steps that can cause you to trip over it and fall. Don’t go down stairs in complete darkness; always turn a light on.
2. Poisoning
The second leading cause of accidental home injury deaths is poisoning, which takes nearly 5,000 lives every year. This is more common in young adults and people in their middle ages. It mostly occurs by accidental mixing of medications. Some people may be taking a medicine and decide to have a drink and not realize that this combination can be deadly in some cases. To reduce this risk, anyone mixing medicines should contact the Poison Help hotline at (800) 222-1222, which is available 24 hours a day. Staff members of this hotline can tell you if a given combination of medicines, such as a prescription drug and NyQuil, is safe or not. Also, parents should make sure that all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, as well as other harmful household products, are out of the reach of children.
The second leading cause of accidental home injury deaths is poisoning, which takes nearly 5,000 lives every year. This is more common in young adults and people in their middle ages. It mostly occurs by accidental mixing of medications. Some people may be taking a medicine and decide to have a drink and not realize that this combination can be deadly in some cases. To reduce this risk, anyone mixing medicines should contact the Poison Help hotline at (800) 222-1222, which is available 24 hours a day. Staff members of this hotline can tell you if a given combination of medicines, such as a prescription drug and NyQuil, is safe or not. Also, parents should make sure that all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, as well as other harmful household products, are out of the reach of children.
3. Fires and burns
House fires and burns claim more than 3,000 lives a year, making it the third leading cause of accidental home injury deaths. Having a fire alarm is very important for this reason and you should also make sure that your alarm works properly.
House fires and burns claim more than 3,000 lives a year, making it the third leading cause of accidental home injury deaths. Having a fire alarm is very important for this reason and you should also make sure that your alarm works properly.
4. Airway obstruction
Airway obstruction, such as choking, suffocation, and strangulation claim about 1,000 lives a year. This is especially a concern for young children. In fact, many deaths that had originally been attributed to sudden infant death syndrome have seen been reclassified as airway-obstruction fatalities. Parents should make sure there the crib is free of anything that can threaten a baby’s life. Having a lot stuffed animals or blankets can cover a baby’s airway passages. Parents should also be on the lookout for smaller items like coins or toys around the house that can be consumed by their children.
Airway obstruction, such as choking, suffocation, and strangulation claim about 1,000 lives a year. This is especially a concern for young children. In fact, many deaths that had originally been attributed to sudden infant death syndrome have seen been reclassified as airway-obstruction fatalities. Parents should make sure there the crib is free of anything that can threaten a baby’s life. Having a lot stuffed animals or blankets can cover a baby’s airway passages. Parents should also be on the lookout for smaller items like coins or toys around the house that can be consumed by their children.
5. Water
About 800 deaths a year occur at homes from drowning and other submersions in water. It’s not only pools and bathtubs that can be a danger to small children. Very young children can actually drown in as little as an inch or two of water. There are certain steps parents can take to reduce the threat of water-related deaths, such as installing a fence that is at least four feet high with a self-closing and self-latching gate around their pool. But the best thing a parent can do to protect their children is simply being present to supervise their children. Parents should be within an arm’s reach of a child and paying attention.
About 800 deaths a year occur at homes from drowning and other submersions in water. It’s not only pools and bathtubs that can be a danger to small children. Very young children can actually drown in as little as an inch or two of water. There are certain steps parents can take to reduce the threat of water-related deaths, such as installing a fence that is at least four feet high with a self-closing and self-latching gate around their pool. But the best thing a parent can do to protect their children is simply being present to supervise their children. Parents should be within an arm’s reach of a child and paying attention.
If
you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in
Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor,
Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield,
Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City
Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys
know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your
feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the
compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow
Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join
the conversation by using #MCAA.
