House Dangers are Taking More Lives Each Year
Each year the number of injuries that occur in and around homes all across the nation continues to rise. The increase is actually quite alarming considering the fact that with the staggering statistics annually, individuals and families still seem to be disregarding the house dangers that are constantly causing these injuries. The statistics for injuries within the home each year on average are; 20,000 deaths, over 7million injuries resulting in permanent disability and just over 20 million trips to the ER. These numbers do not lie. There is a growing problem within America’s households. It is killing, crippling and causing minor to severe injury to our families. Yet Americans are still ignoring the need to eradicate these house dangers from their home, and create a safer environment for themselves and their families. The question is…..WHY?
Why are these injuries and deaths not shaking the family unit to its very core and pushing each household to action? Why are American families overlooking the potential crippling and killing accidents and mishaps as if they are immune to them?
Actually, the answer to this question could fall directly at the feet of the current head of household who may not be as aware of the potential house dangers lurking around every corner. If lack of information and education is the issue behind the overwhelming statistics reported each year, then it has become way past time for this to change. It is time for parents and their children alike to create a plan, identify potential problems and take on house dangers head on to make their home as safe as possible.
House Dangers to Look For
The very first step in creating a much safer home and working together to lower the statistics and preventing yourself, or a loved one, from becoming one of those statistics is to seek out house dangers before they arise. To effectively eliminate potential dangers, one must know what to look for. The best advice here is to begin at the very first entry point of the home and work your way through. Keep a notebook and pen in hand and write down any possible areas of concern that may require a bit of work. In the event you should uncover a house danger that may need attention, like for instance an electrical problem, either leave a note such as “DO NOT USE” or “OUT OF ORDER”, until you can return later with the proper tools and repair the problem, or if needed, call and have a professional repairman come out and fix the issue. You may also wish to consider disabling anything that might pose a threat to anyone. Over 200 deaths per year happen within the home as the result of electrocutions. If your home has a garage, inspect the garage door’s safety mechanism to ensure that the door will stop if an object was to become trapped underneath. According to the U.S. Product and Consumer Safety Commission, 30,000 injuries each year are caused by garage doors that have worn out, or faulty safety springs and sensors that will release or stop the door in the event an individual was to become caught under the door. Of those 30,000, most were children.
As you begin up the steps to your front door, notice if there is a need for a step to be replaced, if wooden, or if concrete, have the steps become cracked or broken. Thousands of hospital trips are due to front steps breaking, or becoming unbalanced and creating issues causing falls. The kitchen is another area to pay close attention for house dangers. Make sure that the smoke and/or fire alarms in the kitchen and the adjoining rooms are working properly. Create a habit within the home that anyone cooking should always keep pot handles turned away from the outside of the stove. This will eliminate the potential for grease and oil burns from flipping the pan by accident. Check to be sure all stove eyes are working, free of burnt debris and inspect the indicator lights on the knobs for proper indication of the stove being “ON”, or “OFF”. Accidental fires from forgetting to turn off the stove is as heartbreaking as it is dangerous.
House Dangers Involving Elderly
More and more families have their elderly parents living in the home with them. Either providing assistance in raising of the children, having moved away and taking the parents/grandparents along, or simply they are in no condition to care for themselves any longer. Whatever the reason, it is an obligation to them to ensure they are kept safe and their needs have been taken into consideration as well. This involves having hand-rails installed in the shower and beside the toilet. Any stairs that lead into or out of the home, garage, bedroom, etc. Keep any medications that are being taken by an elderly parent separate from the other medicines as to not confuse them and so the elderly parent won’t mistakenly take the wrong medication as well. Have a list of their doctors, and the specialties of each, (i.e. Dr. Brown/ Heart specialist; Dr. Black/ Podiatrist, so on). Create a family awareness of any medical emergency that could arise, as well as the location of medicines such as nitroglycerin pills, defibrillation machines and how to operate them, and any insurance or Medicaid/Medicare information that may be asked for by a physician or emergency technician.
Remember, the statistics are not overrated. House dangers are seriously causing more and more death and injury each and every year. Take notice. Take charge and don’t let you or a loved one be a statistic. Eliminate house dangers before they happen.