Identifying Home Health Hazards to Keep Your Family Safe

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​Homes are supposed to be safe environments where families can thrive in health and happiness. However, did you know that home accidents, from falls to electric shocks, send 21 million people to the hospital every year? Protecting your family from the various safety hazards that lurk in your house is a top priority. Here’s how to identify and prevent some of the most common home safety hazards.

Learn About Household Toxins and Poisons 
Some of the most dangerous elements in your home are also the hardest to spot. Toxins and poisons can lurk in your air and water, damaging the health of your family and making you sick over time. Some of these issues include mold, carbon dioxide, radon, and bacteria.
 
According to HomeAdvisor, it’s estimated that 30 percent of American homes have a mold problem. Poor ventilation can lead to the growth of mold and a general decline in air quality — ventilation issues can cause a build-up of potentially harmful VOCs in your home. It’s also important to learn about the potential problems in your drinking water, like bacteria, traces of heavy metals, and acidity. Installing a good water filtration system will solve this problem. Radon gas is trickier to deal with since it cannot be seen, so it’s a good idea to get your home tested.
 
Combat the Threat of Airway Obstruction               
Airway obstruction is the leading cause of injuries among children under the age of 1. So, keep your children safe by learning about factors that increase the risk of suffocation, strangulation, and choking in your home. Soft bedding, crib bumpers, and toys in your baby’s sleeping area are serious suffocation hazards. Small objects lying around the home pose a choking hazard, and blind cords are an underestimated strangulation hazard.
 
Check for Electrical Hazards 
Learning how to spot common electrical hazards is important for avoiding electrical shocks and major fires. According to SafeWise, homes with wiring over 30 years old should be inspected by an electrician every year. Sparks, buzzing noises, warm outlets, and breakers that trip repeatedly are signs that it may be time to repair outdated wiring. In addition to watching out for poor wiring issues, learn how to safely use the electricity in your home. Avoid overloading power strips, relying heavily on extension cords, or using light bulbs of the wrong wattage.
 
Secure Heavy Furniture 
Children love to explore, which often means climbing on everything they encounter. Unfortunately, falling and tipping furniture is a common threat to the safety of curious children. Use furniture anchors to secure bookcases, dressers, and other large items to your walls. When you do this, attach the anchors to studs in your walls and ensure the point of contact on the furniture is solid wood rather than thin furniture backing. Even if your TV sits on top of an anchored piece of furniture, make sure it’s anchored as well or mounted on the wall directly.
 
Remove Fall Hazards 
Fall hazards are a threat to people of any age, although children and seniors face the highest risk of injury in this area. As one way to prevent falls, Safe Kids Worldwide recommends installing window guards and stops — screens will not prevent children from falling out of a window. Parents should also be mindful to strap their children into high chairs, infant carriers, and swings. If your house has stairs, use approved safety gates secured to the wall.
 
Your home should be a place that your family associates with warmth and security. While many household hazards can pose a risk, most of these can be managed fairly easily. Take some time to learn about all of the potential problems that may jeopardize the well-being of your family so you can take action to stop preventable disasters.