Many people think of their houses as the safest place to be, and that they are hardly at risk of accidents. However, a lot of unfortunate incidents can take place at home if we don’t pay attention to potential hazards.
For one, we have numerous machines connected to power sources. We also use fire, and there are many obstacles that can cause us to trip and fall.
Even though we might try our best to be careful and to stay safe, some accidents are just bound to happen. This is why we have provided you with some first-aid tips to manage different home accidents efficiently.
Quick Navigation
Use Extension Cords
Even though we cannot live without electricity, it can put everyone at risk if the power sees a sudden surge.
Lack of maintenance is another reason behind electric hazards, so you should make sure that wiry connections are working well.
Avoid exhausting your sockets and compensate for the lack of power sources by using extension cords.
In case of a power outage, it is recommended to unplug all appliances as electricity becomes inconsistent following the outage.
The situation may worsen if the electricity started a fire that cannot be extinguished except by firemen.
Fireproof Your Home
A crucial safety hazard at home is fire because we use multiple appliances that can start one. It is not possible to eliminate all causes of fire but we can do our best to reduce the risk.
For instance, switching off kitchen machines and gas before going to bed or leaving the house is advisable. While cooking, keep away papers, towels, and hanging clothes because they catch fire easily.
Installing smoke alarms is not a luxury because spending some money on them is better than suffering from a burn or losing the roof over your head.
You should also keep a fire extinguisher in your place to put out any fire before it escalates.
If you get burned in the process, you should be aware of the first-aid basics. First of all, you should put the burnt area under cool water to get rid of the swelling.
First-degree burns are superficial and can be treated at home by the application of ointments or aloe vera. You should consult a doctor in case of second-degree burns to get an accurate prescription.
In case of more serious burns, you should rush to the emergency room to get more intrusive treatments such as IV antibiotics.
Replacing lost fluids is crucial to avoid dehydration and permanent skin deformation.
Use Insecticides
Cleaning our house regularly is mandatory, especially when it comes to carpets and floors. Aside from accumulating dust and debris, food crumbs on the floor could potentially attract pests.
If they are not vacuumed, different kinds of insects may creep in and form colonies.
If you find ants, cockroaches, or other kinds of insects, always use repellent regularly until you no longer see a trace of them; their bites may cause various complications, especially if someone is allergic to them.
To stay safe, consider keeping epinephrine at home to decrease the allergic reaction from the sting.
In some cases, the house becomes manifested and saturated with insects that you cannot deal with the situation on your own.
In this case, it would be better to hire a professional company that specializes in getting rid of different kinds of insects.
However, if the complications persist even after hiring an exterminator, this probably means that you hired someone who is not trustworthy or who doesn’t know the right chemicals to use.
If you get bitten by any traces of pests left behind, the Dallas-based attorneys at Tate Law Offices recommend seeking legal assistance to sue the company.
Documenting your symptoms and taking photos of the bite will help your claim.
Get Organized
The problem with messy and cluttered houses is not that they aren’t aesthetically pleasing, but because they are considered a safety hazard.
This is because unorganized rooms may have hidden broken glass or clutter that you may trip over. If you get cut by a contaminated object, you should know how to deal with it to avoid scar formation.
You should apply pressure on the wound using a gauze or a piece of cloth. Cleaning the area using water or saline is necessary to remove any dirt.
With that being said, keeping a first-aid kit at home is important to tend to any kind of cut. The bag should contain alcohol spray, bandages, scissors, and gauze.
It should be placed in an area where everyone can easily access it.
If you cannot stop the bleeding nor remove pieces of glass, you should visit your doctor. This is to avoid losing a lot of blood or putting yourself at risk of infection.
You may need stitches if the wound is too deep to avoid the formation of scars.
Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
One of the most dangerous gas leaks that can kill people is carbon monoxide because it doesn’t have a smell. Inhaling even low levels of it causes dizziness, nausea, and headaches.
Continuous exposure to it can lead to impaired vision, body aches, and eventually death.
The first thing you should do if someone faints at home is to visit the hospital, so they can get the person pure oxygen to counteract the poison’s effect.
Special carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in every household because you never know if your heater or any other machine is leaking.
You should also leave the installation of critical equipment at home to the professionals.
It is recommended to keep generators or heaters outside of the house because they are the most dangerous ones when it comes to carbon monoxide leaks.
Taking the necessary precautions is the best way to protect yourself and everyone living with you. However, some incidents are uncontrollable no matter how hard you try to prevent them.
That’s why you should make use of the above first-aid tips to deal with the consequences of home accidents.
If you are going to use the help of professionals, keep in mind that you can ask them for compensation if they didn’t do their job right.