6 Tips and Tricks to Prevent Common Home Accidents

Not to scare you, but it needs to be said that approximately 153,300 preventable injury-related deaths occurred in 2020. Of course, preventable is the keyword that we want to highlight.

We want to reduce the chances of getting injured at home, and you likely do too. That’s what we want to talk about today. This blog will cover 6 nifty tips and tricks to prevent common home accidents (as much as possible anyway).

• Keep Rugs in Place

Slipping on rugs isn’t just something we see on television. Throughout the day, rugs (and carpets) can bunch up or get wrinkled, making it that much easier for somebody to slip. The quick tip is to use double-sided tape to keep rugs in place.

• Clean Up Spills Immediately

Whenever there’s a spill, stop what you’re doing and clean it up immediately. This way, you won’t forget about the spill and slip on it later. Other people in your family might get injured if you don’t clean up spills immediately too.

If you have young children, make sure to stress the importance of cleaning up spills to prevent injury.

• Declutter and Organize

Whether someone is preoccupied with that day’s tasks or has their head in the clouds, a lack of attention can lead to falling. The more items that are on the floor, the higher the chances of someone tripping and getting hurt. Declutter and organize high-traffic areas and stairways to create a safer home space.

• Consider Your Stair Handrail

It comes with no surprise that stair accidents are very common. That’s why stair handrails were made in the first place. Make sure your handrail runs the full length of your staircase and repair any damaged parts if necessary. For young children, make sure to stress the importance of holding the handrail as they climb up or down the stairs.

• Lock Cleaning Products Away

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated that over 84,000 were treated in the emergency room as a result of poison exposure. Do your best to lock cabinets and cupboards that contain potentially harmful products. Even everyday products like tide pods need to be safely secured away from young children. Don’t just place cleaning products on a top shelf and call it a day. As toddlers gain mobility, you never know what they are capable of reaching or not.

• Add Baby Gates For Younger Children

Did you know that a child is injured from a stair-related accident every 6 minutes? Baby gates are an important precaution that can keep babies and children (that are younger than 2) out of harm’s way.

• Properly Light Dark Areas

Vision is an important – if not the most important – factor when it comes to avoiding accidents. Install night lights and other light sources that you can keep on throughout the night. This way, accidents are unlikely to occur even if somebody needs to get up to use the bathroom or for other reasons.

You can also consider lightweight curtains and shades so there’s a bit of extra light that comes through.