5 ways to prevent home accidents

Home should be a place of safety, comfort and rest. However, accidents can happen when basic safety measures are overlooked. Slippery floors, cooking fires, faulty electrical appliances and improperly stored chemicals can cause serious injuries or even death.

Children, older adults and people with mobility difficulties may be particularly vulnerable, but anyone can experience a household accident. In Nigeria, everyday activities such as cooking with gas, using electrical appliances and operating generators require caution.

Fortunately, many household accidents can be prevented through simple safety measures. In this article, Tribune Online highlights five ways to make the home safer.

Keep floors and walkways free of hazards

Slips, trips and falls are common household accidents that can cause bruises, fractures and head injuries.

Clean up spilled water and oil immediately, and use non-slip mats in bathrooms and kitchens. Keep shoes, toys, bags and electrical cables away from walkways, doorways and staircases.

Ensure that staircases have adequate lighting and secure handrails. Use non-slip backing on rugs and repair damaged floor surfaces.

For older adults and people with mobility difficulties, installing bathroom grab bars, improving lighting and keeping frequently used items within easy reach can help prevent falls.

Practise safe cooking and prevent fire outbreaks

The kitchen is one of the areas where household accidents can occur. Cooking involves heat, flames, hot liquids, sharp objects and, in many Nigerian homes, gas cylinders or kerosene stoves.Carelessness around these items can lead to burns, fires and other serious injuries.

One important safety measure is to avoid leaving food cooking unattended , particularly when using a gas cooker or an open flame. If you need to leave the kitchen, turn off the cooker first.

Keep kitchen towels, paper, plastic bags and other flammable materials away from open flames and hot surfaces. Turn the handles of pots and pans inward so that children or adults passing by do not accidentally knock them over.

Gas appliances require particular attention. Check the hose and connections for signs of damage, and have faulty equipment inspected or replaced by a qualified professional. Never use a naked flame to check for gas leaks.

If you smell gas, do not light matches, operate electrical switches or use anything that could produce a spark. If it is safe to do so, turn off the gas supply, open doors and windows for ventilation, leave the area and contact the appropriate emergency service or a qualified gas professional from a safe location.

Never attempt to extinguish a cooking-oil fire with water. Water can cause burning oil to spread and worsen the fire. If a small pan fire can be handled safely, turn off the heat if possible and cover the pan with a suitable metal lid. Do not move the burning pan. If the fire spreads or you are unsure what to do, evacuate immediately and call for help.

It is also advisable to keep a suitable fire extinguisher in an accessible location and ensure that household members know how to use it safely.Finally, keep matches, lighters and other ignition sources out of children’s reach. Teaching children to stay away from cooking areas can also reduce the risk of burns.

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Use electrical appliances safely

Faulty wiring, damaged cables and overloaded sockets can cause electric shocks and fires.

Inspect plugs, cables and sockets regularly, and stop using appliances with exposed wires or signs of overheating. Avoid overloading extension sockets, and keep electrical equipment away from water.

Use qualified electricians for electrical installations and repairs.

Generator safety is also essential. Never operate a generator indoors or in an enclosed space because it produces carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that can cause illness or death. Keep generators outdoors, away from doors, windows and ventilation openings, following the manufacturer’s safety instructions.

Allow generators to cool before refuelling and store fuel safely. If anyone experiences dizziness, headaches, nausea or confusion while a generator is running, move everyone to fresh air immediately and seek urgent medical attention.

Store medicines, chemicals and sharp objects properly

Medicines, cleaning products and sharp objects can cause poisoning and injuries when left within easy reach.

Keep medicines in their original packaging and store them securely. Household chemicals, including bleach, detergents and insecticides, should remain in labelled containers and be kept away from children.

Never store chemicals in drinking-water bottles or food containers. Avoid mixing cleaning products, particularly bleach with acidic cleaners or ammonia-containing products, because dangerous gases may be released.

Store knives, scissors and other sharp objects safely after use.

If someone swallows a potentially poisonous substance, seek urgent medical advice. Do not induce vomiting or administer home remedies unless instructed by a qualified healthcare professional.

Make the home safer for children and older adults

Medicines, cleaning products and sharp objects can cause poisoning and injuries when left within easy reach.

Keep medicines in their original packaging and store them securely. Household chemicals, including bleach, detergents and insecticides, should remain in labelled containers and be kept away from children.

Never store chemicals in drinking-water bottles or food containers. Avoid mixing cleaning products, particularly bleach with acidic cleaners or ammonia-containing products, because dangerous gases may be released.

Store knives, scissors and other sharp objects safely after use.

If someone swallows a potentially poisonous substance, seek urgent medical advice. Do not induce vomiting or administer home remedies unless instructed by a qualified healthcare professional.

Make the home safer for children and older adults

Children may not recognise hazards, while older adults may face increased risks because of impaired vision, reduced balance or mobility difficulties.

Install safety locks on cupboards containing medicines and chemicals. Keep hot drinks, cooking utensils and small objects that could cause choking away from young children.

Never leave a child unattended in a bathtub, bucket or other water-filled container, even briefly. Secure water-storage containers when not in use, and consider safety gates near staircases.

For older adults, improve lighting, remove obstacles, install grab bars where appropriate and keep frequently used items within easy reach. Avoid placing items where they must climb chairs or stools to retrieve them.

Teach children to stay away from electrical sockets, gas appliances, matches and medicines. Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit in a suitable location and ensure household members know how to access it.