The ongoing global pandemic can leave you feeling particularly worried about your family’s well-being.

However, the greatest dangers to your family’s safety are within the home! Statistics show that 53.6% of accidents that result in injuries in the United States occur at home.

Although accidents are bound to happen one way or another, a little bit of effort can help improve safety and eliminate the odds of their occurrence.

So, how can you keep your family safe ahead of the festive season? Check these simple ways to guard against home accidents.

1. Regularly check your windows

Your windows are mostly not intended to keep your kids in but to hold those creepy insects out.

Chances are you have installed window guards as a security measure against burglaries or to prevent your children from opening the windows too wide.

However, it is essential to ensure that you can quickly release your window guards in the event of a fire outbreak. Also, regularly check your windows to ensure that they are not nailed, painted, or swollen shut. 

2. Be fire prepared

Fire outbreaks are common hazards in the home. Statistics show an estimated 353,100 home fires take place each year, resulting in $7.2 billion worth of property damage.

This is a significant source of concern for most homes that are unprepared. Equipping your home with smoke alarms and fire extinguishers is fundamental to forestalling injuries or loss during a fire. To further improve safety, conduct regular fire drills and check that all safety equipment is in working order.

Educate your family on what to do during a fire, the escape routines, using the fire extinguisher, emergency numbers etc. Ensure that flammable materials are kept away from heaters- to avoid creating a fire hazard.

3. Prevent falls 

Approximately 20,000 individuals aged 65 and over die every year from falling. Like seniors, children are nearly as likely to be harmed in a fall. Keeping your home free from tripping hazards can save lives.

While good lighting, secured carpets, and furniture adaptation may prevent falls, your flooring choice can make walking on it difficult.

However, solid wood flooring has proven the most ideal, providing a safer alternative while improving your home’s aesthetic.

Despite this, most falls in the house are caused by personal risk factors. 

4. Extra vigilance near water

A CDC report showed unintentional drowning as the cause of over 3,500 deaths in the US, with one in every five victims being minors aged 14 or younger.

These figures are alarming since drownings are mostly preventable. To improve safety, ensure that all family members, especially children, learn how to swim and always supervise them around water.

Other reports suggest that 81% of victims did not wear lifejackets. If you have a pool in your home, installing removable pool safety fences is an important safety measure.

Pool fences act as a barrier, helping to prevent unaccompanied access.

Additionally, think about using self-closing doors to further secure the pool area. When you do go to the pool, do not leave your child out of sight; be by their side. Also, ensure that you do not leave your child alone in the bath.

Improve Safety of Your Home: Essential Measures and First Aid Education

There is so much you can do to improve home safety. Be sure to learn and teach your family on safety measures and the right precautions to take, as well as educate them on emergency first aid response such as CPR.

Regularly update and practice your family’s emergency plans to ensure everyone knows what to do in a crisis.

Additionally, keep safety equipment like fire extinguishers and first aid kits easily accessible and well-maintained.

By being proactive and prepared, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and enhance your family’s overall safety.