Safety Awareness In The Home
HE-220 (Revised) , November 1994
George Maher, Agricultural Safety Specialist
Home! - safe and sound! True or false? FALSE! Home can be an especially dangerous place to spend time. More people are unintentionally injured or killed while in their home than anyplace else, except their automobile.
Home is a very dangerous place for those younger than four years of age. Persons older than 65 are also at considerable risk of injury at home. Youngsters between five and 17 years old are the third highest risk group.
The trend for injury at home has generally been downward
since 1982, but except for toddlers and those between 25 and 64 years of age,
there has been a definite increase since 1990. Figure 1 shows the injury rates
per 1,000 persons, from 1982 to 1991. (Accident Facts 1993 Edition, National
Safety Council)
Figure 1. Injury Rates in Home Accidents by Age, 1982-1991. Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey.
Numbers of accidental deaths in the home are in a general decline since a high of 29,000 in 1950, but have increased from 21,000 in 1992 to 22,500 in 1993. Falls have always been the main cause of accidental death in the home, followed in 1993 by poisoning from solids or liquids, burns from fire, suffocating on a swallowed object, firearms, suffocating by mechanical means, and poisoning by a gas.
Elderly persons (those over 75 years of age) are at high risk in many areas. A fall is their main cause of accidental death, followed by choking on an ingested object (such as poorly chewed food), death associated with fires in the home, poisoning by solids and liquids, drowning and poisoning by gases and vapors.
The age group next most at risk while at home is the group 25 to 44 years of age. The biggest threat to this group is accidental poisoning by solids and liquids, such as poisoning from drugs, mushrooms, medicines, and shellfish. Poisonings from spoiled food are not included; they are considered as a disease death.
Toddlers, persons younger than four years of age, are also at high risk in the home. Primary causes of their fatalities at home are death associated with fire, drowning, and suffocation by mechanical means (smothering by bedding, plastic film, etc).
Accidental injury in the home has a very high price tag. The National Safety Council estimates that accidental injuries suffered at home in 1993 cost $86.5 billion. This includes lost wages, medical expenses, fire loss, employer costs, and insurance administrative costs. But, what price do we have for a human life? Safety is important!
Careless habits, simple ignorance, or just not thinking will lead to accidents, whether at home, visiting or on the job. The number of disabling injuries incurred at home nearly double those incurred at work. No one can afford to be careless anyplace, especially while at home.
How safe is your home?
Respond to the following situations with a `yes' or `no', as the situation applies to you.
General Home Safety
Do you:
_____ Keep emergency phone numbers (police, fire station,
poison control, doctor) near the phone?
_____ Keep poisonous plants away from children
and pets?
_____ Keep toys and hobbies stored when not in
use?
_____ Store guns unloaded and locked up?
_____ Wear eye protection when using power tools
and household chemicals?
_____ Lock all doors and windows when leaving the
house?
_____ Locate portable heaters away from combustible
materials and surfaces?
_____ Have sufficient household wiring for appliances
used?
_____ Use extension cords rated to carry the electrical
current of the appliance?
_____ Use electrical outlet caps to protect toddlers?
_____ Keep a complete, up-to-date first aid kit
in the house?
Bath Safety
Do you:
_____ Have non-slip surfaces on floors and
in tubs and showers?
_____ Have well-anchored grab bars installed 40
inches above floors and in tubs and showers?
_____ Dispose of all medicines/prescription drugs
as their time expires?
_____ Store all medicines/prescription drugs securely
out of children's reach?
_____ Never mix cleaning agents (bleach and ammonia)
for cleaning?
_____ Never use aerosol sprays near open/glowing
flame or heat?
_____ Dispose of used/empty aerosol containers
according to label instructions?
_____ Use ground fault protected electrical circuits?
Fire Safety
Do you:
_____ Check the battery in your smoke detector
every month?
_____ Have a "fire drill" procedure to
follow in case of fire?
_____ Make sure every occupant knows of two exit
plans for each room, especially upstairs bedrooms?
_____ Teach older children how to use windows for
fire escape?
_____ Instruct children never, in case of fire,
to hide under beds or in closets, or to lock themselves in rooms?
_____ Sleep with bedroom doors closed as protection
against heat and smoke?
_____ Caution all occupants NEVER to go back into
a burning building?
_____ Follow the rule, "Never smoke in bed
or when drowsy?"
_____ Have and maintain smoke alarms?
_____ Exercise safety precautions when fireplace
or wood-stove is in use?
_____ Have adequate ashtrays and exercise safe
smoking habits?
_____ Keep matches away from small children and
teach other children to use matches safely?
_____ Use only flame-retardant holiday decorations?
Kitchen Safety
Do you:
_____ Have, and know how to use, a fully charged
fire extinguisher?
_____ Keep cleaning products and household chemicals
safely out of children's reach or stored securely?
_____ Clean up spills immediately?
_____ Keep work areas well-lighted?
_____ Keep appliance cords from dangling over counter
edges?
_____ Turn pot and pan handles away from the range
front?
_____ Follow manufacturer's directions for use
and care of appliances?
_____ Unplug small appliances when not in use?
_____ Use lower cabinets to store heavy appliances?
_____ Use appliances without overloading electrical
circuits?
_____ Never wear loose clothing near heat or flame?
_____ Use effective pot holders at the stove or
range?
_____ Use caution when using and cleaning knives,
can openers, and other "sharps" in the kitchen?
_____ Teach others to use dangerous utensils correctly?
_____ Use a sturdy ladder or step stool to reach
high cupboards?
_____ Remove doors/locks from unused refrigerators/freezers?
_____ Follow label instructions for use on both
liquid and electric charcoal starters?
_____ Dispose of sharp, combustible or poisonous
trash properly?
_____ Use ground fault protected electrical circuits?
Floors and Stairways
Do you:
_____ Have three-way switches at each end of
stairways for safe, accessible lighting?
_____ Have light switches at each entrance to all
rooms?
_____ Keep stairways and traffic paths clear of
obstacles at all times?
_____ Have lights and sturdy handrails on all stairs
and steps?
_____ Keep steps, walkways, ramps clear of snow/ice?
_____ Keep stairs, steps, and handrails in sturdy
condition?
_____ Securely fasten stair treads and/or runners?
_____ Make certain that doors do not open over
open stairways?
_____ Use gates on stairways to prevent toddlers
from falls?
_____ Use only non-skid scatter rugs?
_____ Omit the use of scatter rugs for the elderly?
Basement and Attic Safety
Do you:
_____ Dispose of oily rags or store them in a tightly covered tin can in a cool
place?
_____ Store paint, thinners, solvents, and flammable liquids in clearly marked,
tightly closed containers?
_____ Frequently remove papers, rags, and rubbish from storage areas?
_____ Have the furnace, heating stoves, chimneys and flues inspected and cleaned
at least once a year?
_____ Limit the use of extension cords and number of appliances plugged into
outlets to prevent electrical overloading?
_____ Keep the basement floor dry to avoid shocks
from light fixtures or electrical equipment?
_____ Teach older children to safely use carpentry,
plumbing and electrical equipment?
_____ Store dangerous equipment out of reach of
young children?
Furnishings Safety
Do you:
_____ Select stable swivel chairs with four
or more legs to avoid tipping?
_____ Provide chairs that fit the persons using
them?
_____ Select furniture items that fit the room
size for ease of movement in the room?
_____ Select furnishing fabrics that are flame-resistant,
non-allergenic, and allow for ventilation?
_____ Follow suggested guidelines for crib, playpen and bunk bed safety?
_____ Check that doors and drawers operate smoothly
and easily?
_____ Repair or discard wobbly chairs, stools,
benches, lawn furniture and ladders?
Indoor Air Quality
Do you:
_____ Use exhaust fans in kitchens, bathrooms,
laundry areas and home workshops?
_____ Change air filters regularly on the furnace
if it is a forced air type?
_____ Use and maintain a humidifier during the
dry winter months to maintain relative humidity at about 40%?
_____ Use and maintain a dehumidifier during the
damp summer months, if needed to minimize mold and mildew problems?
_____ Check your home for radon levels with a test
kit?
_____ Use a carbon monoxide detector in the furnace
area?
_____ Encourage smokers to smoke outdoors?
_____ Use label guidelines and adequate ventilation
with aerosol spray paints, volatile cleaners and chemicals?
Outdoor Safety
Do you:
_____ Remove the keys from vehicles so children
cannot start them?
_____ Drain or cover children's swimming pool when
not in use?
_____ Practice lawnmower/snowblower safety precautions?
_____ Avoid storing paints, lawn/garden chemicals,
auto supplies within reach of children or pets?
_____ Maintain pet restraints (ropes, kennels,
pens) in good condition?
_____ Keep the yard free of debris, tools, and
toys?
_____ Keep garden hoses stored when not in use?
_____ Cover all trash containers securely?
What is your score in home safety? Every "yes" is
a point for safety awareness; every "no" is a point toward accidents
in YOUR home. Use this guide to start a home safety campaign NOW!
Safety awareness is:
- taking time to eliminate hazards as you find them.
- taking time to reduce risk.
- taking time to teach safe practices to others.
NOW is the time to check and improve safety awareness.
Dial For Safety
1-800-732-2200, the N.D. Poison Control Center (information on poisonous substances, antidotes, poison-emergency information).
1-800-638-CSPC, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (to inquire about product recalls, warnings; to report product injuries, defective or hazardous products).
Extension Resources (available through your local county extension office)
- Fire Extinguisher for the Farm and Home," AE-825 (circular)
- Lightning Protection," Electric Power Quarterly No. 92
- Indoor Air Quality," Electric Power Quarterly No. 125
- Use Electricity Safely," Electric Power Quarterly No. 113
- Basic Electrical Safety," Electric Power Quarterly No. 132
Other Resources
- Local Hospital
- Local Fire/Rescue Department
- Local Police/Sheriff
- County Health Office
- Safety Equipment Stores
HE-220 (Revised) , November 1994
