If you live in Ballymena then there is nothing more important than your home. Its where we sleep, where we kick off our shoes to relax and where we entertain our friends and family. Our home is one of the biggest investments we will make and it is important that this is where we feel safe.
More accidents happen in the home than anywhere else and that is why here at Ballymena Today we wanted to share this information from NIdirect to help you avoid any accidents of hazards around your home.
Homes Ballymena – Help prevent Home Hazards
We may feel safe in our own homes, but there are risks are all around.
Children are particularly vulnerable, as they are naturally curious about their surroundings and explore by crawling, climbing and putting things in their mouths. But, of course, we can’t watch our children 24 hours a day so we all need to take action to make our homes as safe as possible.
Everyone is encouraged to take a look around their home and check for any potential areas of danger. You should:
- examine every blind in your home – if they have a looped control chain or cord and do not have a safety device fitted, then you can easily install one of the many devices available
- make sure that all operating blind cords and chains cannot be reached by children
- move cots, beds and any furniture away from windows and blinds – remember children love to climb
- keep children away from hazardous heat sources in the kitchen, for example, warm oven fronts, hot liquids, and ensure pot handles cannot be reached
- test the temperature of bath water using your elbow before you put your baby or toddler in the bath and never leave a child unattended
- make sure household cleaners and medicines are out of the sight and reach of children away to avoid accidental poisoning or chemical burns
- check that televisions, chests of drawers and shelving units are securely anchored to the wall, as bulky, heavy furniture can seriously injure or even kill a small child if it falls on top of them
empty the paddling pool after use – if you have a pond, turn it into a sandpit, fence it in, or cover it while your children are small. Be alert to drowning risks when you visit friends and family
test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors - when carrying out any DIY, avoid falls from height by checking a ladder’s condition before use and always supervise children, especially when power tools and lawnmowers are being used. Don’t forget to tidy up all equipment straight after the job is done
Falls are by far the most common accidents, accounting for almost half of all injuries or deaths in the home. You can get advice at the following links:
Keeping mobile and preventing falls
Guarding children against trips and falls
Avoid slips and falls in icy conditions
Click here to find out more from NIdirect.
Don’t leave it until it is too late – make sure that you Ballymena home is the safest place that you can be.
