WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE SAFETY HOME

Our potential for harm doesn’t end just because we leave work.

Many of the same hazards are still present: falls, fire, electrical, chemical, tools, etc. In fact, statistical organizations like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and National Safety Council rank slips, trips, and falls in the top three causes of injury in both the home and the workplace.

HOME INJURY PREVENTION TIPS

How to Prevent Poisoning

• Store cleaning products safely and out of the reach of children.
• Don’t use food containers as storage for hazardous materials.
• Clearly label all unmarked liquid containers.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector to monitor the levels in your home.
• Never mix household cleaning products together, especially bleach and ammonia (they create toxic gas).
• Be cautious when taking and storing medicines. Put medications away in a secure location right after use.
• Monitor heaters and fireplaces. Get them cleaned every year before the cold weather months.
• Monitor children while in the kitchen. Don’t leave them unattended around stoves, microwaves, or ovens.
• Post the poison control center phone number in your kitchen. That includes on the refrigerator and phone.

How to Prevent Falls

• Clear clutter! This is crucial to consider when preventing falls.
• Get rid of rugs. Tripping on them happens if you don’t want to get rid of your rugs.
• Safety-proof stairs. Place a gate at the top of the banister and provide adequate handrails on both sides of the staircase. For small children, place safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.
• Bathroom safety. Place grab bars and nonslip mats in your bathroom and bathtub.
• Light it up. Install sufficient lighting and night lights in the bathroom.
• Wear slippers or shoes with rubber soles.

How To Prevent Choking And Suffocation

• Always watch children! It’s easy for kids to choke or suffocate on little things, especially their own toys.
• Keep trash bags and other plastic bags out of the reach of children.
• Keep strings, ropes, and cords away from kids.
• Practice safety when putting babies to sleep.
• Monitor children during mealtime. Teach them the proper way to chew and eat food.
• Check the house regularly for items and put them away to prevent children from choking on them.

How To Prevent Water-Related Injuries And Flooding

• Never leave water running when you’re not around.
• Monitor your children while they are bathing so that they won’t drown.
• Monitor your own use of water while bathing and don’t use electronics in or around the water.
• Turn off the washing machine and dishwasher when you’re finished using them.
• Turn your water off when you leave your home for a long period of time.
• If you have a home swimming pool, install four-sided fencing to separate the house and yard from the pool.

How To Prevent Fires And Burns

• Install smoke detectors in every level of your home.
• Be careful when cooking. You don’t want to leave the kitchen for too long or your food could burn.
• Maintain your home’s heating system. Clean all chimneys, fireplaces, and furnaces regularly.
• Have an electrician come in and check your electrical wiring
• Keep children away from matches and lighters.
• Cover power outlets if you have mobile kids or pets.
• Don’t leave candles lit overnight or when you leave the home.
• Keep a fire extinguisher. Have multiple fire extinguishers in different areas of your home.
• Prepare for a fire. Create a fire safety plan and make sure everyone in the household knows how to follow it.

FINAL WORD

Going home safely at 5 pm. is a goal and concern of all employees. Safety begins at work and continues until you fall asleep in your bed readying for another attack on safety the next day. There is no reprieve or let – up. It is a daily battle.