Many people are not aware that countless injuries in the home can result in disability, even death. The following types of accidents are especially common with children: choking, burns, poisoning, electric shock, falling down the stairs. It's possible to avoid these incidents by taking some precautions. Making your home safer is also a way of protecting those you love from the risk of accidents.

Prevent Fires and Electric Shock

In Canada, hundreds of people die in house fires every year. According to a report by Desjardins General Insurance Group, the most common causes of domestic fires are carelessness while cooking (e.g.: a grease splatter catches fire), cigarettes, overloaded electrical outlets and extension cords, and burning candles left unattended. Here are a few tips on how to reduce fire hazards and resulting injuries:
 

• Install at least one smoke detector on each floor of your house. These must be checked and cleaned twice a year. To ensure good working order, use a vacuum cleaner or hair dryer to remove dust and particles that accumulate inside the unit.
• Never use extension cords for kitchen appliances, and always unplug them when not in use. It's also important to keep extension cords far away from the sink and the kitchen stove.
• Empty the lint trap of your dryer after every use.
• Use a multiple-outlet power strip with a circuit breaker: too many appliances connected to the same extension cord can cause a circuit overload.
• Never nail or staple electrical cords.
• Make sure the light bulbs you use do not exceed the lamp manufacturer's recommended wattage.
• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned every year.
   

Avoid Injury and Burns

While it may be difficult to prevent all injuries inside the home, the risk of injury can be substantially reduced.
 

• When cooking, keep pot handles turned toward the center of the range and away from the heating elements.
• Set the temperature control of your water heater at 50°C (120°F).
• Install non-slip mats in the bathtub and shower.
• Put a nightlight in your hallway and bathroom.
• Clear all clutter from passageways, especially hallways and staircases. Keep traffic areas clear of electrical cords.
• Make sure your staircase is well lit. It's a good idea to have a light switch at both the top and bottom of the stairs.
   

Prevent Poisoning

It's surprising to see just how many commonly used household products found in your home are toxic. These include medications, some plants, cleaning products, alcohol and other substances kept in the workshop or basement. To ensure the safety of your household, these products should be kept out of sight and out of reach of children, preferably in a cabinet or cupboard.
 

• Store household cleaning products away from food.
• Keep your plants away from your children's reach because many plants are toxic: azalea, caladium, rhododendron, mistletoe, etc.
• Choose medications and household products that have childproof caps. Keep these in their original containers so that you can easily identify them.
• Set the refrigerator temperature control to 5°C (40°F) or less to ensure proper food conservation and prevent the growth of bacteria.
• Cover your children's sand box to keep animals from using it as a litter box.