How many of you have had an accident at home? I am sure pretty much all of you, whether it be a sliced finger that got in the way of the carrots, to a stumble from the steps of your ladder - misjudging the distance of the last step is a common one I should think. Home accidents can happen anywhere, and you don’t have to be up on the roof fixing tiles or falling over the cat (although these scenarios obviously do happen). A startling 78% of all A & E admissions are said to be from accidents in the home, with 23% being falls, and a large percentage of these occur while using the toilet, of all things. Getting up or down from a toilet that is not tall enough accounts for one of the top reasons for bathroom falls, and bathroom injuries increase and peak with age, researchers have found.


Falls are the leading cause of household injuries.

Slips, trips, and falls are accidents waiting to happen everywhere – wet floors, loose rugs, cluttered rooms - how many parents out there have stood on Lego bricks by accident? My husband even managed to stand on an upturned plug one time and made a hole in the sole of his foot.

There are some simple ways to reduce these risks. Using non-slip mats in baths, bathrooms and kitchens might be a good start, followed by promptly cleaning up spills that could cause a slip. Don’t trail cables across rooms, and keeping walkways and stairs clutter-free reduces the likelihood of stumbling over stuff too.


Keep away from hot surfaces

Stovetops, ovens, and hot water can cause burns or scalds to children and adults. Care should be taken when cooking or serving food, and recently I unthinkingly took a hot dish out of the oven without using an ovenproof glove and suffered the consequences - not just blistered fingers but the dish dropped, depositing food everywhere and a mess of shattered glass.


Poisoning

Poisoning is something you probably would only consider a danger if you have young children around, but it could happen to anyone. The average household is littered with poisonous substances, including cleaning products, medications or insecticides. Expired or poorly prepared food can be poisonous, and some indoor plants can be toxic if accidentally eaten. Always store poisonous items securely, ideally with childproof locks if children are in the home.


Strains and Sprains

Strains from lifting heavy objects and reaching high shelves can cause muscle injuries, so use proper lifting techniques, and use step stools or ladders to reach high places safely. Keep stuff you don’t use often at the top of your cupboard, and stuff you use frequently lower down, where it is easier to reach.

Credits: envato elements;

Cuts

I nearly chopped my finger off once, stupidly holding a log in one hand and swinging an axe with the other (a trip to A & E, and 4 stitches) and we’ve all accidentally nicked ourselves when using a kitchen knife or scissors. Razors, box cutters, and hand tools are dangerous for anyone who isn’t careful. The safety tip is as simple as it is important: always be careful when using sharp objects. Watch out for less obvious risks, such as an open can lid.


Choking

Choking hazards are particularly dangerous in households with young children, as any small object can become a choking hazard – not just food, but toys, coins, buttons and paperclips, etc. Adults can be at risk for choking when eating food too.

The hazard list goes on – electric shocks, animal bites, recreational injuries (wear that helmet on your bike even if it doesn’t suit you). Drowning or near-drowning incidents can occur in bathtubs, garden ponds, even toilets, or in unfenced or untended swimming pools - babies or young children can drown in as little as 5cm of water. By understanding the dangers in your home, you can take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family.

Everyone makes mistakes, some are worse than others, so take a look around and see if you can narrow down the possibilities.

Author

Marilyn writes regularly for The Portugal News, and has lived in the Algarve for some years. A dog-lover, she has lived in Ireland, UK, Bermuda and the Isle of Man. 

Marilyn Sheridan