Designing for Safety In Your Home

When it comes to home ownership, one thing to be aware of is safety. There are a lot of dangers around the house, and you need to eliminate them. Depending on the age of those living in the home, you can prevent various hazards.

Prevent fire and electrical hazards

Two common accidents that happen are related to fire and electricity. Curious children start playing with electrical sockets, and they can get a sudden shock. You can avoid this problem by ensuring that your cables and sockets are all out of the reach of toddlers. They might still reach for them but won’t suddenly stick their fingers in. Additionally, fire can be fascinating for children. Never leave them with an open flame, or they might burn themselves. It is also a good rule never to leave an open flame since they can quickly start a fire.

No more slips and falls

People of all ages slip and fall. It is the most common accident to happen in the home. The trouble is that there are various reasons for a slip or a fall. For example, you might slip by merely walking on a wet floor in the bathroom. It is even worse if you balance on one foot because you are stepping into a tub. Installing baths with doors will solve that problem since you can step in. Changes like these allow you to stop accidents before they happen. Other ideas include non-slip flooring and barriers in the right place.

Be ready for those with limited capacity

If you have seniors in your house, the chance of an accident increases. It is because their body is growing old. Therefore, you need to provide them with additional help to live better. For example, walk in baths might sound unnecessary when you are young, but older people will appreciate being able to take a bath with no problems. You can also add balance bars to the right places so that they can hold on for extra support, especially at the stairs. More lighting will also be good since it allows them to see where they are going.

Ensure proper storage

Another source of accidents is improper storage. Things not in the right place will cause problems for you. For example, leaving sharp knives in the wrong place will end with people getting cut. You might also have an issue with poisonous substances. If you have pets or children, leaving substances that can kill at floor level will give them access to it. A smart move would be to place substances and other dangerous items in a high cabinet. Additionally, some things might need special storage, so they don’t catch fire or go bad.

Final thoughts

Ensuring the safety of everyone in your home should be your priority. The safety suggestions above should help reduce the chance of accidents in your home. But, first, evaluate the situation in your household and decide which improvements will work best for you.