While everyone wants a home that is safe and hazard-free, sometimes little mishaps can cause a whole lot of bother. So, how can we make our homes safer for all?

In this quick read, we look at some of the most common accidents that can happen at home and share some tips to improve safety. 

Falls 

Falls are the number one risk in the home. In fact, the NHS estimates that 1 in 3 people aged over 65 and half of people over 80 will have at least one fall a year for a variety of reasons.

While it might be impossible to avoid falls completely, you can try and avoid them. For example, it’s important to keep stairs free of any obstructions or trip hazards, such as loose carpet or stacking things on them. Look around your home and try to identify trip hazards which can be easily fixed. These could include:

-         Uneven steps or paving outside the property

-         Keeping dark areas well lit

-         Rugs or mats which aren’t secure

-         Cables or leads

-         Furniture placement 

Kitchen safety 

If you’ve got children, you know that accidents can happen in seconds, and nowhere is more dangerous than the kitchen. It’s important to child-proof your cooking area to prevent accidents. Here are some examples:

-         When cooking on the hob, make sure handles are towards the back so a child can’t grab them

-         Make sure knives and scissors are out of reach

-         Store cleaning products safely away from children

-         No hanging cables

-         Keep alcohol on higher shelves

You can also keep cupboards and drawers extra safe by using child-proof latches.

Fire safety

When was the last time you checked the batteries in your smoke alarm? It’s important to test it regularly to make sure it’s working. If you have a fireplace or electric fireplace, is it well guarded? Is the guard secured to the wall? This is especially important if there are young children in the home. Other fire safety tips include 

-         Keep candles away from curtains or upholstery

-         Make sure matches, lighters and candles are out of reach of children

-         Don’t smoke in the home

-         Don’t air-dry clothes near the gas hob or near open fires

At Cooke & Co Estate and Letting Agents we take safety in the home seriously. Have you got any safety tips you can share? Comment below. 

Please Click Here to link seamlessly to hundreds of interesting community and property-related articles, videos, and pictures on our local blog/property insights page, Thanet coastal interactive tour, Up to date latest properties for sale and to rent, and much, much more.

Before you go we would love you to comment or like this article. Please feel to give your thoughts, helpful comments or even suggestions of articles you would like us to write about.