While no one wants to go around being paranoid, basic safety is something we all need to consider and check up on every now and then. The majority of accidents that occur either at home or in the workplace are avoidable. Workplace health and safety usually has to follow strict guidelines and employers must have these guidelines in place. Home safety is something each individual needs to take responsibility for.
The most basic home safety revolves around keeping up maintenance and not having floors or work surfaces cluttered. These kind of safety issues are especially important where there are stairs and in high risk areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Electricity and hot water can cause major injuries. So can slips and falls. Using bath mats and oven mitts are just basic common sense. Keeping electrical cords out of the way and appliances in good working order make as much sense as taking care with knives in the kitchen.
Fire safety is essential in any home. Every building should have smoke alarms fitted, and these should be checked regularly. Fire Services recommend checking your smoke alarms at each daylight savings change over. If you use electric or gas heaters these should be checked too. If you have a family, make sure you have an evacuation plan in place. Knowing how to get out safely and where you will all meet could save a life.
If you have children considering child safety is extremely important. Beginning with baby safety, requirements will change depending on the age of your child or children. Baby safety starts with things like bedding, sleeping position, safe bathing, and changing. As your child grows it is vital to toddler-proof your home. Exits and stairs should have safety gates installed. Windows need to be unreachable too. Power points need to be covered and cords not left exposed. Of course all medicines, cleaners and other potentially toxic health hazards should be locked away. Whatever other safety precautions are in place, there is no greater safety guard than careful supervision.
Whatever the age of anyone in your home following basic food safety guidelines is also something that should become routine. Check expiry dates on foods and don’t eat anything over its use by date. Use separate boards for preparing meats and vegetables. Always refrigerate food rather than leaving it out, and make sure food is covered before refrigerating. Never reheat anything more than once and don’t refreeze previously frozen food, especially meat and poultry. Once food has defrosted (preferably in the fridge) it needs to be cooked, and then it can safely be frozen.
There is an almost endless list of safety do’s and don’ts for around the home. Being aware of at least most of them and routinely following them isn’t difficult once we just stop and think about it. A little time and thought can prevent illness and injury and possibly even accidental death.
