TOP HAZARDS IN A HOME

Your home is a safe place where you create memories. Prevention is the best way to keep it that way.

Unintentional injuries are burns, poisoning, choking, drowning, cuts, falling objects, glass injuries,  falling and firearms accidents. Sometimes it's not following instruction labels on products, rushing to do a task or distractions. What's even worse is, it may cause death. In many homes and communities in North America poisoning (57%) is the highest cause of death, followed by falls (26%).

DIY projects

There's alot of maintenance when you have a home. You've probably already done some work around the house. Do It Yourself is for interior and exterior projects. Generally for roofing work, cleaning the gutters or chimney, you should hire a crew that can work at heights. A license is required for plumbing or electric work on your home.

Electric current is not a forgiving element. It's like lightening, if you get struck it could cause damage and you should stay away from it.

Safe proofing your home

Essentially, it's doing a walkthrough to identify and eliminate any potential danger in your home. Verify the quality of the air and water, spot insulation defects, sharp objects or tools, changing the batteries of electronic devices, doing all the repairs required, check for leaks or water damage, flickering lights, clean the air ducts, etc.

When you're planning renovations or demolitions, your home could have building materials that may contain asbestos. Before 1990, asbestos was commonly used for fireproofing and insulating homes against noise and cold weather. Before starting any work, contact a professional to test the exterior siding, cement, plaster, insulation, floor tiles and ceiling. If asbestos is found, hire a qualified asbestos specialist to remove it.

Some accidents can be prevented, if you pay some attention.

Fire prevention

Here in Canada smoke detectors are mandatory in a home on every floor. It depends on the City bylaws. They should be installed on the ceiling or high on a wall. Checking your smoke detector is something you should do once a month.

Remember where they're located.

Do not remove the batteries when they ring because of a burnt toast !

Consider buying "low emission" or “low VOC” products, as they will give off fewer volatile organic compounds. Read the labels for cleaning, storing and disposing of renovation and DIY products and supplies.

Health risks and safety in a home are important, so injuries can be prevented.

Smoke detectors save lives, so do carbon monoxide detectors.

Fire drill

If one day God forbid, there's an emergency, it is not the time to panic and ask yourself or others a million questions. Always be ready to stop what you're doing and get to the nearest exit.

You should know this :

• Location of the nearest exits in your home

• Assembly point

You can sign-up for a first aid training. Always have a kit around the house. Add items you think you may need, like a small flashlight.

Develop an exit plan for your household and practice.

Multiunit housing with a fire exit staircase.