People tend to worry about the dangers they face out in the world, but a lot of the worst dangers are actually ones that are more prevalent in the home. Everybody’s home, even if it has been arranged to be as child safe as possible is full of dangers. From slips and falls to shocks to the sometimes deadly chemicals that people keep stored under their sink, there are plenty of hazards in the home and plenty of things to watch out for.
Slip and Fall
Many of the people going to talk to a personal injury lawyer show up because they suffered some sort of a slip and fall injury. Slip and fall injuries are the leading cause of deaths in the home and are particularly dangerous to young children and older individuals.
Certain areas are more likely to be the sites of slip and fall injuries than others. For example, bathrooms are oftentimes places where people suffer serious slip and fall injuries, for obvious reasons. Stairways are another danger area. There are simple solutions to this, such as making certain there is adequate lighting in dangerous areas and eliminating obvious hazards, such as taking up throw rugs, covering up cords and so forth.
Poisons
From car exhaust to mercury in the water to additives put in foods, people spend a lot of time worrying about the substances that they are putting in their bodies. Unfortunately, approximately 90% of the time, when people are poisoned, it happens in their house. Children are usually the victims of these poisons.
The easiest way to protect your family against being poisoned is simply to make certain that anything that is potentially toxic is locked away out of the reach of children and to make sure that everything is clearly labeled. Remember never to put anything in a mislabeled container. For instance, never fill up an old spray bottle that was used for cleanser with water or vice versa. Clear labeling is one of the best ways to prevent people from being poisoned.
Cuts
Eating well is part of being healthy, but you need to be careful when you’re cooking. Whenever you are using a knife in the kitchen – which is a common way that people are injured – make certain that you’re giving the blade your full attention. If you drop a knife, don’t attempt to catch it. As one final word of advice, when you wash knives, never put them in the dishwater where they may not be clearly visible. Leave them at the side of the sink and put them away immediately after washing them.
Accidents, by definition, happen unexpectedly. You can help to prevent accidents, however, by following simple safety procedures in your home. If you are injured in someone else’s home, consider contacting a Port St. Lucie personal injury lawyer.