5 Handy Tips for Accident Proofing Your Home

We tend to think of home as the safest place one could be. Meanwhile, the average home is overflowing with opportunities for injury or accident. These five handy tips for accident proofing your home will protect your family in much the same way as taking the time to compare homeowners insurance can help you provide the best protection for your house (and guests).

1. Prevent Falls

Slipping and tripping are the two leading causes of falls in the home. To counter this, always clean up spills right away and secure throw rugs so they stay in place. Power cords for lamps should be bundled and routed to power outlets as efficiently as possible. Avoid running extension cords through/across traffic areas. Stairs should remain completely free of objects at all times and if you do install a rug on a stairway, make sure it’s securely fastened to each individual step. Keep your floors free of clutter and insist children put toys away when they aren’t playing with them.Grab bars in the bathroom will help family members maintain their balance in slippery conditions.

2. Avoid Burns

Monitor lit candles at all times. Pay close attention to hot liquids, especially when young children are around. Never place them near the edge of a table where they can spill. Your hot water heater should be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to prevent scalds. Never hang dishtowels on oven doors and always use potholders when removing hot items from the stove, oven or microwave. If cooking oil should ignite, do not try to put it out with water, use a fire extinguisher designed for oil and electrical fires. Matches and lighters should always be kept out of the reach of young children.

3. Circumvent Water-Related Injuries

Never leave young children alone in bathtubs. Keep electronic devices away from sinks, tubs, showers and pools. Keep toilet lids and bathroom doors closed when you have very young children in the house. Keep your swimming pool covered when it isn’t in use, leave flotation devices in it at all times and never allow young children or people who swim poorly to get into the pool without a strong swimmer present.

4. Manage Poisonous Substances

Get rid of old chemicals. Cleaning products should stay out of the reach of young children. Old food containers should never be used to store deadly chemicals to prevent possible confusion. Containers should be clearly labeled to avert accidental ingestion. When cleaning, do not mix ammonia and bleach as a highly toxic gas will be created. Medicines should be used only according to directions and childproof caps should always be replaced properly.

5. Thwart Choking and Suffocation

Never start your car in the garage when the door is closed. Strings, ropes and cords should be kept away from children. Plastic bags should be stored in a place inaccessible to children so they won’t be tempted to play with them. Remove small parts from toys to prevent swallowing. Keep a sharp eye around the house for smaller items children could swallow, and place them out of reach.

These five categories are among the leading culprits when comes to household injuries. Following the tips for accident proofing your home will greatly reduce the possibility of mishaps.

To make sure your home is covered should something happen to a guest, compare homeowners insurance policies to make sure you have adequate liability protection. CoverHound has everything you need to do this. Explore your options today!