A home can be a dangerous place. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Injuries, there are around 6,000 deaths a year as a result of injuries incurred at home. This is a particularly sobering statistic, but one which also draws attention to the many hazards a house can include. Here are some of the most common accidents that occur in the home, by room – and ways you can ameliorate the likelihood of them happening.
The Kitchen
Specialist injury and accident solicitors National Accident Helpline report that the kitchen holds the highest chance of injury in a given household, with 60% of respondents to their survey indicating they’ve injured themselves there in the past. The kitchen has perhaps the highest concentration of dangerous tools and appliances, with sharp implements like knives, mandolins and blenders, and heating appliances such as toasters and combi ovens.
In order to stay safe while in the kitchen, it is important to pay attention to any tasks you may have at hand. Absent-mindedly chopping vegetables is a sure-fire way to invite an accidental cut, while automatically moving to take something out of the oven could lead you to leaving your hands unprotected, and burning them on a tray. Safe use of knives is also paramount.
The Garden
The garden is also a common area for accidents to occur, with its many hazards and its appeal to younger folk in the summer months. Gardening tools can be dangerous if mishandled or left unattended, while trip hazards like hosepipes and garden rakes are rife. For more natural hazards, severed tree roots can be a trip and a puncture hazard, especially if their exposed end is sharp – and low-hanging branches can be easy to catch your head on, as well as an invitation to climb – and fall from – a garden tree.
Once again, vigilance is key in the garden. Make sure to pack away all garden tools as soon as you are done with them; cutting the grass regularly can keep hidden trip hazards exposed, and declining to climb at height without the proper safety equipment can save you a nasty fall.
The Living Room
The living room may not seem like a likely place to invite injury upon yourself, yet according to the NAHL it is the third most common place that respondents reported sustaining injuries in, with 33% claiming to have had an accident there. The culprit is often living room trip hazards such as rugs or coffee tables, while toddlers and younger children frequently leave toys out for unsuspecting parents to stand on.
The Bathroom
Lastly, the bathroom is a particularly dangerous place; while not topping the list for home-related accident frequency, the kinds of accidents you can have in the bathroom are fatal. The presence of water sources and a lino or tiled floor can make for regular slip hazards, leading to possible head injury. A simple way to keep safe in the bathroom is to make use of anti-slip bathmats in your shower and/or bath, and on the floor outside.
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