Home is where the heart is. But it can also hide dangers that can threaten your safety and the safety of your loved ones. Many accidents occur at home as a result of dangers that are not immediately apparent. Here are 5 hidden dangers that may be lurking in your home and tips on how to keep your family safe.
- Window Blind Cords – Cordless window blinds have become more common in recent years, but many homes still have window blinds with cords. These present a danger to children who can become entangled in loops formed by the cords or can wrap the cords around their necks, causing strangulation.
How to Fix It: If it is not possible for you to replace the blinds in your home with cordless options, make sure the cords are tied up high and out of reach of children.
- Furniture Tip Overs – Your home is a playground for a small child. Children can climb on unsecured furniture, appliances and TVs and be crushed underneath. Every year over 14,000 children under the age of 18 visit the emergency room for accidents relating to furniture tip overs.
How to Fix It: Most heavy furniture comes with anchors to secure the piece to the wall. Do not throw these away as one extra step. While you may be tired from getting the furniture installed, taking that extra step to make sure the furniture is secure can save your child’s life. Also, keep anything that might be tempting to a child off of the top of your TV or furniture such as remote controls or toys to prevent climbing.
- Laundry Packets – While convenient, these highly concentrated packets of laundry detergent are highly toxic to children. Because of their small size they can be tempting to children to eat, especially because their bright colors can make them appear to be candy.
How to Fix It: Keep liquid laundry packets in their original packaging and up in a high cabinet rather than in a lower drawer. Make sure you only take one packet at a time out for the wash and do not leave stray packets on the counter within your child’s reach.
- Cribs – Cribs should be a safe sleeping place for babies, but often what we consider to be comfortable like a soft pillow is a sleeping hazard for a baby.
How to Fix It: Bare is best. Never place pillows, quilts or soft bedding inside the crib as it causes a risk of suffocation.
- Fire and Carbon Monoxide Dangers – Fire and carbon monoxide present very real dangers at home that often go undetected until it’s too late. Inhalation of smoke fumes or carbon monoxide can cause serious injury or even death.
How to Fix It: Protect your family by installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas. A carbon monoxide alarm should be installed outside sleeping areas.
Taking these precautions can help to ensure that your family never suffers a preventable tragedy in your home. Yet sometimes accidents occur as a result of the negligence of others or products that are defective. If you or a loved one were injured by someone else’s negligence or by a defective product, Alexander Law Group, LLC can help. Call us now at 888.777.1776 or click here for a private, no cost consultation regarding your rights.
