Health and safety at home

Photo by Patrick Perkins on Unsplash

Reducing the risk of falls

Falls are among the most common household accidents, particularly for young children and older adults. However, some simple precautions can help to reduce the chances of a fall happening at home:

• Secure your rugs and carpets. Use non-slip pads under rugs to prevent sliding and avoid placing loose rugs in high-traffic areas.
• Keep hallways/passageways clear of clutter like toys, cables, or shoes that could cause tripping.
• Check that your handrails and grab-bars are secure. If one of these needs to be repaired, please report it to Melin as soon as possible.
• Good lighting around entryways and staircases also helps to improve visibility, reducing the chance of trips and falls. Replace bulbs in these areas if they break and reach out to us if you need any help with this.

Bathroom safety

Bathrooms can become hazardous due to moisture and hard surfaces. A few alterations can make them much safer:

• Place non-slip mats inside and outside the shower or bath to prevent slipping. Make sure these are secure before using them.
• Keep floors dry. Wipe up any water spills immediately and encourage everyone in the household to do the same.
• Use childproof locks on cabinets with sharp objects or cleaners, keeping these out of children’s reach.
• Again, make sure your bathroom grab-bars are safe and secure.
• Never leave a child unattended in the bath, no matter how old they are. Drowning can happen quickly and silently.
• Do not use mains electricals in the bathroom.

Kitchen safety

The kitchen has a high risk of accidents, given the presence of sharp objects, hot surfaces, and electrical appliances. Here’s how to stay safe:

• Store knives securely in a block or drawer, and always use them with caution.
• As with your bathroom, make sure to wipe up spills immediately to prevent slippery surfaces.
• Be aware of the fire safety equipment you have in the kitchen and how to use it. Never use water on an oil fire and never leave cooking unattended.

Childproofing

Childproofing is essential for families with young children and we have already mentioned some child-safety tips. A few other adjustments you can make to keep your home safe are:

• Installing safety gates. Place gates at the top and bottom of stairs and to restrict access to high-risk areas like the kitchen. Make sure your front door is locked and if children are playing in the front/back garden and you have a gate, ensure it is secure.
• Make sure that your furniture is safe. Anchor bookshelves, dressers, and televisions to the wall to prevent them from tipping over if climbed on. Check these fittings regularly.
• Keep small objects, such as batteries and coins, out of reach.
• Don’t let children have electrical devices on charge or plugged-in in their rooms overnight.

Outside

Your home’s exterior should be just as safe as the interior, especially if you have outdoor areas like gardens or patios:

• Regularly check for cracks or loose stones in pathways and report any damage to us so we can repair it. Similarly, report any deterioration in walls or fences outside so we can prevent them from becoming a hazard, particularly after bad weather.
• Store tools and hazardous garden chemicals in locked storage areas or out of children’s reach. Only use these when it is safe to do so and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Make sure your outdoor lighting is in good working order and report and issues with this to Melin.

Emergency preparedness

Recent years have shown us to expect the unexpected and so it is important to take some simple precautions to be ready in the event of an emergency:

• Stock a basic first aid kit and make sure everyone knows where it is located and how to use it.
• In case of a power cut, a torch is safer than candles for emergency lighting. Keep a torch and spare batteries handy and it can also be a good idea to keep a wind-up radio handy in case of an extended power cut which would affect your access to information on TV and the internet.
• Keep a list of emergency contacts, including family, friends, neighbours and local services, in a visible area.
• If you are vulnerable, make sure you are on the Priority Services Register with your energy and water suppliers. This will help make sure that in an emergency or during a service disruption, help is made available to you.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding safety in your home, we want to hear from you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Melin where we can provide your with guidance or arrange a repair to help keep you safe and secure at home.