Home safety

Definition

Home safety involves taking time to inspect the home environment to discover hidden dangers that may increase the risk of injury or even death . Common hazards in the home can lead to slips and falls , house fires, carbon monoxide exposure, accidental burns, and other injuries.

Description

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that nearly one million people over the age of 65 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with products and hazards found in their own homes. A great many of these injuries could be prevented by a thorough inspection of the home. Home safety may often be achieved by identifying hidden dangers and taking simple steps to correct them. There are many areas within the home that can contain hidden and overlooked dangers. Loose carpeting and rugs, uneven tile and worn wooden flooring, and loose step treads can all lead to slips and falls.

Be sure that all rooms have adequate lighting and that the lights can be accessed without having to cross a darkened space. Check all power cords and extension cords for frayed coatings or exposed wires. Theses can be fire hazards. Check to be sure these cords are out of the way and do not create trip hazards.

Most fire departments recommend that all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are tested at least twice a year to be sure the batteries are fresh and that the alarms work. Testing alarms also ensures that residents are familiar with the sounds of these alarms and that they are loud enough to be effective. Having emergency numbers programmed into a phone that is easy to reach can save time during an emergency.

Purpose

The purpose of home safety is to identify and eliminate risks within the home that can lead to serious injury and even death. Slips and falls are the main source of injury for older people in the home, but other risks include fire, carbon monoxide exposure, and other injuries that result from risks inside the home.

Operation

Identifying and correcting issues of safety in the home may be achieved by inspecting the house room by room. Many agencies and resources provide home safety checklists. The following questions may help create on overview of the home and provide a good idea of what needs to be addressed to ensure home safety.

Entire house

• Are the phones easy to reach?
• Are smoke detectors installed and working properly?
• Are carbon monoxide detectors installed and working properly?
• Are emergency phone numbers programmed into the phone or listed nearby or on the phone?
• Are there several exits accessible incase of fire?
• Are the house numbers or apartment numbers easy for emergency responders to read from the street?

Kitchen

• Are all controls for stoves, ovens, and appliances easy to reach?
• Are these controls working properly and easy to read?
• Are curtains, dish towels, paper towels, or aprons hanging over or very near cooking surfaces?
• Are kitchen tools and food items within easy reach? If not, is there a safe and stable step stool kept in the room?
• Is there a light switch near the entrance to the room?

Living room or den

• Are there any loose floor boards, uneven carpet, or rugs that slide or roll up easily under foot?
• Is there a clear, clutter-free passage through the room?
• Are the cords for lamps, televisions, and other appliances or electronic equipment worn or frayed? Are they extending into the path used to walk through and around the room?
• If there are space heaters in use, are upholstered pieces of furniture and curtains at least 12 inches away from them?
• Is there a light switch or lamp near the entrance to the room?

Bedroom

• Is there a lamp or light switch next to the bed?
• Is there a phone near the bed?
• If there is a space heater in use, are upholstered pieces of furniture and curtains at least 12 inches away from it?
• Is there a smoke detector near the door to the room?
• Is there a light switch or lamp near the entrance to the room?

Bathroom

• Is the flooring or tile uneven or broken?
• Are there rugs or mats that slide or roll up easily?
• Is the floor to the tub or shower non-slip or is there a mat or adhesive stripes to prevent slipping?
• Is there a handle or grip in the tub or shower? Towel racks or holders are not strong enough.
• Is the toilet stable and easy to get on and off?
• What it the hot water heater temperature setting? 120 degrees or lower may prevent burns.

Hallways, Stairs, and other passages

• Is there a light switch at both ends of the passage way or flight of stairs?
• Are there night lights or lights that come on if the power is out?
• Are there any loose floor boards or steps, uneven carpet, or rugs that slide or roll up easily under foot?
• Are there stable and secure handrails on both sides of the stairs?
• Are there any cords that may cause tripping? Are the cords worn or frayed?

Entrances and exits

• Is there a light outside all entrances and exits?
• Is the sidewalk or exterior hallway level? Are there any areas of broken concrete, loose bricks, boards, or mats?

Once hazards are identified, it is often easy and inexpensive to repair or remove the danger. Hardware stores and home improvement centers can help with advice and supplies needed. A great many injuries and even deaths can be prevented by addressing the hidden dangers identified within the home.

Maintenance

Normal wear and tear on a home can create situations that may contribute to accidents. Routinely checking the home for safety hazards such as loose carpets or rugs, frayed or warn power cords, and uneven or broken floor boards or tiles, can keep reduce the risk of injury at home. Many organizations have checklists to assist in maintain home safety.

Training

Maintaining home safety is an ongoing job. There are many places within the community that may provide information or classes to learn how to make the home safer. Local county co-op offices or community colleges may provide classes or checklists for home safety. Contact the local fire station for tips on how to make the home safe from fire risks. Many states have fire safety education programs available to local residents. Home improvement or local hardware stores are an excellent source of information about home safety and may sell items to help make the home safer. Many private companies provide home safety assessment and can assist in making needed repairs and changes to make the home a more accident-free setting.

KEY TERMS

Carbon monoxide —A colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that can be fatal if inhaled for a long period of time. It is emitted by burning fuel from sources such as unvented kerosene heaters and gas space heaters, leaking furnaces and fireplace chimneys, improperly vented gas furnaces and hot water heaters, gas stoves, and exhaust from cars.

Carbon monoxide detector —A device that measures the amount of carbon monoxide in the air and sounds an alarm if the level remains high for too long a period of time.

United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) —The United States governmental agency charged with protecting the public from unnecessary risk from consumer products sold in the U.S.

Resources

BOOKS

Nikkanen, Heikki, ed. Home Safety for Older Adults. Boston, MA: Harvard Health Publications, 2005.

ORGANIZATIONS

Home Safety Council, 1250 Eye Street, NW, suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20005, (202)330-4900, (202) 330-4901, [email protected], http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/.

National Safety Council, 1121 Spring Lake Drive, Itasca, IL, 60143-3201, (630) 285-1121, (630) 285-1315, [email protected], http://www.nsc.org/.

Deborah L. Nurmi MS