Bath time accidents are all too common. Tubs are usually made of acrylic, fibreglass, cast iron or porcelain-enamelled steel; all of which are smooth, hard surfaces. Combine this with water and wall and floor tiles, and you've created a slippery and dangerous environment for anyone unsteady on their feet. To minimise the risk of falls and injury, use bathmats both inside and outside of the bath, install handrails where possible and never leave children unattended around bathwater. You could even purchase an anti-slip treatment to apply to your tub to reduce slips.
When we think of air pollution, we think of big cities – but there are, in fact, many impurities that can pose a major health risk in our own homes. Airborne particles from radon (a natural, radioactive gas), tobacco smoke and gas-burning appliances can land on our skin and transfer, through breathing, into our lungs. Adding a purifier can help with this, circulating the air in the room and trapping potentially harmful gas particles in its filters.
Few people realise that commonplace products for your hair or the bath can have major health implications. According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, chemicals such as formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives and 1,4-dioxane (often found in shampoos and liquid soaps) can cause organ-system toxicity, skin irritation and even cancer. Also, the colours can look appealing to little ones, so always store bathroom products up high.
The UK Fire Service states that you are twice as likely to die in a house fire in a property that has no smoke alarm. But, once installed, how often do you test your fire and smoke detector and change its batteries? An easy way to remind yourself is by getting into the habit of testing your alarms every time the clocks change. For optimum safety, change the batteries at least once per year and buy a completely new smoke alarm every ten years.
Dust mites are microscopic organisms that feed off our house dust and the moisture in the air. They are one of the most common indoor allergens, not only causing asthma and respiratory problems, but eczema too. Manage a dust allergy by removing carpets and heavy curtains, and using mite-proof mattress protectors and pillowcases – and most of all vacuum, vacuum, vacuum.
Your bathroom should be a sanctuary – but unfortunately, with all that moisture and warmth, it's a breeding ground for mould and mildew too. Not only is the slimy residue unsightly, it's a serious health hazard. According to NHS Choices, mould can cause respiratory problems and infections, allergies or asthma, as well as affect the immune system. Tiles and bath sealants are particularly susceptible, so clean regularly and wipe surfaces down with a cloth after bathing. Leave the windows open during and after cleaning up.
Who'd have thought your beautiful garden beds could be home to foul flowers and pernicious plants ready to strike. Some plants will give you a nasty tummy ache if accidentally consumed, so it's advised to take care and use gloves when tending them. According to The Woodland Trust, the most poisonous plants in gardens are foxgloves, deadly nightshade and monkshood.
However chic your setup might look, you should also think about safety when organising mirrors and glass in your home. Placing these objects in direct sunlight poses a major fire risk, especially if there are flammable soft furnishings nearby. Keep mirrors and other glass trinkets away from windowsills and close blinds or curtains if you're headed out on a hot day.
How you organise your fridge has a serious impact on the food in it and on your health. The Good House Keeping Institute suggests using the top shelf for deli and cooked foods, the middle for dairy products, the bottom (the coldest part) for wrapped raw meat and fish to avoid cross-contamination, drawers for vegetable, salad and fruit, and the door shelves (the warmest part) for condiments and jars. The coldest part of the fridge should be below 5°C. Beware of fridges backed with unsafe, plastic materials that pose a fire risk too.
Beware when entering your attic, as there are reportedly perils at every turn. According to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, falls are the most common accidents in the home. Badly installed loft ladders, little or no secure loft boarding and poor lighting mean that sadly people fall from or through attic hatches all too often.
Should you need extra height to reach cupboards and change light bulbs safely, avoid the risk of falling by using a stable step-stool – never climb on old chairs or wobbly stools to do the job.
Mounting the TV on the wall might seem like a good idea: it looks smart, saves on floor space and creates a great viewing experience. But, if it's not supported correctly or secured to a robust wall it could fall down on you or a member of your family, and it could even be fatal. Make sure your wall is strong enough to withhold the television (and it's not just plasterboard), and use the correct wall-mount bracket. Also, never put your TV above your fireplace: heat and technology do not mix well.
It was reported in 2017 that a US teen died as a result of dropping their mobile phone into the bathtub they were occupying. To investigate, an electrical engineer set up a demonstration with 'Inside Edition' and found that mobile phones themselves do not hold enough current to harm us when dropped into the bath. However, should the phone be connected to a live charger at the time of submersion, then the outcome might be very different.
A product recall is a manufacturer's request to return a product after a safety issue or defect has been found that could be dangerous. But what if you don't know your appliance or device has a problem? Which? has a list of ten institutions that publish recalled products, from food to vehicles, so you can easily keep tabs on hazards. Which? also advises registering your products online after you purchase them so that the manufacturer can contact you if there's an issue with it.
Mobile phones are essential for most of us – but do you know the risks when it comes to charging your vital technology? Marketed as a bargain, there's a host of knock-off chargers available to purchase online, but they're often poor quality and fail to meet safety regulations. This means they can cause injury, electric shocks and even fires. Always buy from a genuine and reputable retailer.
Stepping on a garden rake is a common skit in slapstick comedy – but in real life, it can be a mishap with devastating consequences. Dodge a painful head injury or broken nose by keeping brooms, rakes and sharp garden tools safely tidied away after use.
Loose window-blind cords are extremely dangerous for babies and toddlers in particular – the Make it Safe campaign was set up in 2009 by The British Blind and Shutter Association to raise awareness of this issue. Now new blinds must be "safe by design" or be supplied with the appropriate child-safety devices installed. Existing cords for window dressings in the home should be made safe by being kept short, out of reach and fastened with cleats, cord ties or clips.
How clean is your chopping board? Back in the 90s, a study by the University of Wisconsin found that plastic boards are harder to keep clean than wooden versions since bacteria can linger for longer on an artificial, plastic surface – this is still considered to be true. Scrub your chopping board thoroughly with hot soapy water and dry with a clean tea-towel. Plastic versions should be cleaned in the dishwasher as bacteria embedded in knife grooves is stubborn to remove.
Don't you just love the thought of chilling in a hot tub with a few friends? Well, you might want to think again. Michele Hlavsa, an epidemiologist and chief of healthy swimming for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told the Huffington Post that warmer water temperatures and atmosphere can harbour many germs, including one aptly named 'Hot Tub Rash'. Yuck.
No one likes washing up, but it's a household chore that must be done – now you're going to like the job even less. Professor Hugh Pennington, from the University of Aberdeen, told the BBC: "Placing chopping boards and knives teeming with germs together with plates and glasses in a plastic bowl is a recipe for cross-contamination". Instead, ditch the washing-up bowl and wash dishes directly in the sink, under running water, with plenty of antibacterial washing-up liquid. Also remember that carelessness when washing sharp objects can cause injuries: that's why we love this safe knife-cleaning brush by BladeBrush.
Poor lighting, slippery surfaces and obstacles left on treads are all too common, so it's no wonder that the RoSPA report that 60 percent of all deaths at home are the result of accidents on stairs. Keep them clear, install a secure handrail and use stair-gates if you have little ones.
American campaign 'Anchor It' states that "about every 30 minutes a child in the US is injured as a result of a TV or furniture tip-over incident." Dressers and cupboards are usually front- or top-heavy, so they're more likely to fall forwards. Always secure cupboards, wardrobes and drawers with anti-tip devices readily available at hardware stores. Many companies supply restraint kits with their products, so make sure you use them. Another tip is to remove tempting objects from the tops of cupboards that might entice children to climb in the first place.
'Look what the cat dragged in' is an apt saying. Pets can bring all sorts of nasties into your home such as insects, parasites, bacteria and faeces. Their fur can cause allergies too. We are a nation of animal lovers, but if you don't make sure you have the right cleaning routine for your pet, your four-legged friend could become your worst nightmare. Pets at Home have plenty of advice, including disposing of waste responsibly and keeping your furry companion's environment spick and span.
A clutter-free home encourages a stress-free home, and a tidy space is good for your physical health too. As things pile up, dust is generated and clutter can also increase the risk of falls and injuries. Last but not least, piled paper and cardboard is a serious fire risk. Is it time to declutter your home for good and plan a charity-shop run?
Electrical Fire Safety states that every year, over half of accidental domestic fires in the UK are caused by electricity. How many times have you left the house second-guessing whether you switched off your appliances? Always turn off your heated tools, unplug them and preferably store them in a heatproof case.
SaferHouses says that garage doors are probably the largest and heaviest moving parts of our homes, meaning they can be extremely dangerous. Have them installed by a professional – especially if they are electric. Keep them well maintained and teach children that they are not to be played with at any time.
Glass doors with slim frames or no frames at all are fashionable in our homes since they maximise light and space. However, large glazed areas can cause trouble since they can be difficult to spot. Make the glass obvious and avoid collisions by applying glass safety stickers (there are stylish and discreet versions available).
Coffee tables, especially glass or angular designs, are an unseen hazard in the home. Usually positioned in the centre of a room and measuring between 16 and 18 inches tall, they can slip below your line of sight when you're in a rush, causing nasty injuries. They're also the perfect height for 'cruising' toddlers too, so if possible, avoid sharp corners and choose a round design – if you have hard floors, place a rug secured with a rug gripper underneath the table to anchor it in place.
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