Richard Smith
Lecturer, Caribbean Institute
for Security and Public Safety
The home is a place where one lives, shares love and feels welcome. It's the sanctuary one looks forward to at the end of the day, providing that sense of comfort, safety and stability.
It's quite natural to think of the home as the safest place one can be. After all, that is where one escapes the cares of the world and the pressures of work.
However, many incidents, painful injuries, disabilities and even deaths can be the consequences of having unsafe home environments. Home safety is of utmost importance and becomes a heightened concern with the presence of children, the elderly, people with special needs and pets. Fortunately, there is much one can do to improve and promote safety in the home.Too many people underestimate the importance of fire safety, simply because they do not think they are at risk. But home fire safety should always be a top priority. It is almost entirely about prevention, an activity which can keep the home and family safe.
Some of these preventative measures to ensure maximum safety include the installation of a working smoke or heat detector in each room and the presence of appropriate fire extinguishers throughout the home. In addition, flammable and combustible substances should be properly stored. Exits are to be easily accessible and known by all family members. A fire evacuation plan should also be established.
Children and the elderly should also have a clear understanding of what to do in the event of a fire. Regular training of family members should be done to maintain the awareness level should a fire arises. These safety measures function not only as preventative, but also as preparatory in the likelihood of a fire emergency. By practising these techniques, families are more likely to survive home fires and escape injuries.
Chemicals are used on a daily basis in homes; such products may range from bleach, oven sprays, toilet cleaners, paints, glues, oils, insecticides and medicines. Most aren't dangerous unless they are not used properly. However, some chemicals need more careful handling than others. Awareness is needed in using a chemical that may cause harm. For example, certain household cleaning fluids can irritate and be a sensitiser to one's skin.
All users of chemicals must be able to read the labels, take note of the hazards and follow the instructions and advice given by the manufacturer. Most chemical products carry hazard symbols explaining the harmful effects. One or more symbols may be present on a single product. Sometimes, labels will give details of the supplier so further advice can be sought if needed.
Medicines are specialist chemicals. They won't carry the symbols above, but can be harmful if taken in the wrong quantities by any family member.
By carefully reading chemical labels, injuries can be greatly reduced.
In any given day an injury can occur at home. Whilst most of these injuries are nothing more than scrapes, bruises and cuts, more serious injuries, such as burns, poisonings and even suffocation, may occur. Lack of basic knowledge of the safety-proofing of homes can be the contributing factor to many common injuries.Would you know how to treat a severe burn? What would you do if suddenly a family member experiences difficulty in breathing owing to an allergic reaction? These situations can be treated if people have the proper training and awareness in basic first aid.The most important investment a home owner can make is to learn first aid. Learning first aid may not only save a person's life but also prevent serious damage such as the loss of too much blood or even a limb. Learning first aid does not require a great investment in terms of time and it is something the entire family can learn together. Once first aid is learnt, it is important to keep taking refresher courses every couple years, so one can easily administer these skills when the occasion arises. First aid classes are widely available and are a worthwhile investment as a price cannot be attached to a human's life.
Keeping your family safe and out of harm's way is priority number one. By investing in some simple, life-saving preventative measures and techniques, the contribution and promotion to a safer and happier home environment is enhanced. After all, as the saying goes, there is no place like (a safe) home.