The last week of August has been designated as National Safe at Home Week.
It’s good to have a designated week to raise awareness of home safety, but a loved one being safe in their own home should be more than just a one-week-a-year goal.
Home-related injuries adversely affect family and personal quality of life. Here are some basic tips that will help you make you and your loved one’s home a safer place:
Take a few minutes to walk through your home and look for potential trouble spots.
Install lights and light switches at the top and bottom of stairs, and place nightlights in bathrooms, bedrooms, and other dark areas.
Tape small carpets to the floor or remove them completely.
Clean up any spills right away.
Make it a house rule that nobody can wear socks or smooth soled footwear on tiled or wooden floors, especially if those floors are waxed.
Keep hallways and stairs clear of misplaced or miscellaneous objects.
Install handrails on your stairs. Don’t forget the outside stairs.
In winter, ensure snow and ice removal from all walking surfaces as soon as practical.
Add exterior lighting and cut back shrubs that may provide hiding places for potential intruders.
Make sure you have working smoke alarms, and change the batteries in spring and fall. A good way to remember when to change the batteries is to do it when Daylight Saving Time begins and ends.
Never overload electrical circuits. Use appliances and tools only according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Remove potential fire hazards, and have a fire safety plan.
Have a home emergency plan.
Make home safety a year-round project for your family. The end result will be worth the effort.