How to prevent accidents (and injuries) in the home
Collaborative post
Your home should be a safe space, but it could be a lot more dangerous than you might believe. Did you know that some 2.7 million people in the UK have to visit A&E each year because of injuries they’ve sustained while at home? You can bet that very few of those people anticipated they’d sustain an injury that landed them in hospital.
While there’s no way to completely prevent accidents in the home, there are things you can do that will reduce the likelihood. Take a look at the tips below to make your home safer.
Be mindful of the DIY jobs you tackle
It’s worthwhile working to acquire some DIY skills. In doing so, you’ll be able to keep your home in tip-top condition without always having to call a professional.
However, keep in mind that, while there are plenty of jobs you can do yourself, there are some that you absolutely need to leave to the experts.
Feel free to repaint a wall by yourself, but any electrical, plumbing, or roofing jobs should be left to a professional. Aside from being dangerous, trying to do these jobs yourself can result in even bigger problems that are costlier to fix.
Invest in your home’s maintenance
Accidents can happen in any home, but they’re more likely in poorly maintained properties. Your home’s infrastructure is designed to be safe, but that’s only the case when it’s in good condition. If things are past their best, then they might pose a risk to your health and wellbeing – and you might not know it until it’s too late.
Pay particular attention to your floorboards (loose boards can result in falls; loose nails can result in wounds), your dryer vent (this can cause fires if poorly maintained), and your garage door (which can cause injury if it malfunctions).
Add safety-focused amenities
You can seriously reduce the risk of suffering an injury while at home by investing in safety-focused amenities.
Even something as simple as having a handrail that helps you climb the step into your property can have a big impact. Another good idea is to add a walk in bathtub. This will reduce the risk of falling when getting in and out of the bath, a major source of injuries among people with mobility issues. If you have young children, installing gates will prevent them from going into rooms that present danger.
Consider overall health
We often think that the only threats in our homes are the ones that we can see. But your home can impact your well-being in more subtle ways too.
For instance, if your home is dirty, has mould, or attracts insects and rodents, then it won’t be as healthy as it should be. Investing in your home’s cleanliness and keeping moisture levels in check are effective ways to ensure that your home works for your overall health, not against it.
Have you got any tips to prevent accidents in the home?
