Is your home safe?

Some days, it’s like your home is a minefield of accidents just waiting to happen. While everyone wants a home that is safe and hazard-free, sometimes little mishaps can cause a whole lot of bother. So, how can we make our homes safer for all?

The most common accidents that can happen at home and some tips to improve safety.

Falls

Falls are the number one risk in the home. In fact, the NHS estimates that 1 in 3 people aged over 65 and half of people over 80 will have at least one fall a year for a variety of reasons.

While it might be impossible to avoid falls completely, you can minimise them. Look around your home and try to identify trip hazards which can be easily fixed. These could include:

-Uneven steps or paving outside the property

-Keeping dark areas well lit

-Rugs or mats which aren’t secure

-Cables or leads

-Furniture placement

Kitchen safety

If you’ve got children, you know that accidents can happen in seconds, and nowhere is more dangerous than the kitchen. It’s important to child-proof your cooking area to prevent accidents. Here are some examples:

-When cooking on the hob, make sure handles are towards the back so a child can’t grab them

-Make sure knives and scissors are out of reach

-Store cleaning products safely away from children

-Keep alcohol on higher shelves

-Install child-proof lathes on cupboards and drawers

Fire safety

When was the last time you checked the batteries in your smoke alarm? It’s important to test it regularly to make sure it’s working. This is especially important if there are young children in the home. Other fire safety tips include:

-Keep candles away from curtains or upholstery

-Make sure matches, lighters and candles are out of reach of children

-Don’t smoke in the home

At JC Property , we take safety in the home seriously. Have you got any safety tips you can share? Comment below.