Tag Archives: clutter

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

SAFETY TIPS WHEN LEAVING A SENIOR ALONE AT HOME (GUEST POST)

A lot of things can happen which might jeopardize the safety of an elderly person. Even in your own home, safety can be at risk due to certain factors. Living with a senior, either temporarily or permanently, can be a bit challenging in terms of keeping him/her safe all the time.

A mishap can take place any time. That is why it is critical to take extra precautions to avoid untoward incidents. If you need to go somewhere for a while leaving your elderly alone, there are simple safety measures you can do to make sure nothing bad happens to your senior. 

  • Unclutter – Make it a habit to keep every room in your home uncluttered. Cleaning the house is one way of making it safe not just for elderly person, but for everyone as well. Organize things inside the house. Keep things in their proper places. See to it that your floor is free from anything which might trip your senior. Kids love to play on the floor; so be sure to store their toys in a box or in their room after playing. With a tidy and organized home, you do not have to worry about leaving your elderly all alone.
  • Easy accessibility of needs – Take note of every item that your senior needs. Store these items in an easy-to-reach shelves or storage. For instance, keep the commonly used kitchen ware in the drawers so it will be easier for the senior to grab them. Never put anything needed above eye level. This might force your elderly to stand in a stool to reach for it – not a good idea. Before you go, make sure everything your senior need is within reach.
  • Clear hallways/stairways – Check your hallway and stairway. Do you have a rug in there? Even though rug is a practical and a unique decorative item, it is one cause of accident to senior citizen. So, it is better to remove it and place it elsewhere – where your senior do not usually pass by. Clear the stairway from any objects. If needed, you can place non-slip pads on the steps to prevent the risk of falling.
  • Install mat on bathroom – Leaving your senior alone means you cannot look after him/her when going to the bathroom. For added safety measure, put a rubber mat on the bathroom floor to prevent accidental falls. When the floor is wet,  your senior is prone to slipping which could result into broken hips and minor injuries. Additionally, slipping can cause internal hemorrhage leading to death. The rubber mat could save a life.
  • Keep medications close at hands – Before leaving the house, keep all the medications needed in a storage box or container. Some elderly have a maintenance medication, which of course, should be taken at prescribed time. Make a note of the quantity and what time the medicine must be taken. Stick the note on the container so your senior can easily read it. Put the medicine box in the bedside table so your senior will find it quickly.
Keeping your senior safe while you left him/her is pretty simple. For additional safety precaution, purchase an alert device such as medical guardian system to inform you instantaneously when an emergency occurs. Otherwise, you can ask someone to watch over your senior for you.
 
Ashley O’connor loves sharing ideas on how to practice safety at home, on the road, at the office and just about everywhere. Aside from writing, she also enjoys cooking and reading books. Follower her on Twitter at @AshleyOconnor82, Google+ or add her on Facebook.
 
Thanks, Ashley, for the great advice on how to keep our seniors safe. I might add that small pets, such as dogs and cats, are sometimes a hazard to cause someone to fall.  They are innocent bystanders, but many times get underfoot.  Especially when leaving someone alone, it might be a good idea to leave your pet in a kennel or with a friend.  pb
First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

TEN RULES TO AVOID DOMESTIC ACCIDENTS – GUEST POST

10 Rules to Avoid Domestic Accidents

Domestic accidents are an integral part of our lives and one cannot ignore them completely. Especially when you have small children in your house and a lot of clutter as well, you must expect some form of contingencies in your house. The best way to prevent such accidents is to exercise caution where you can. Many times, adults too fall victim to domestic accidents. Besides implementing appropriate steps to avoid such accidents, also maintain a complete first aid box to provide immediate medical attention to the person.

In this article we will tell you 10 rules to avoid domestic accidents so your loved ones are safe:

1. Avoid Too Much Clutter at Home

The more your house is cluttered, the greater are the chances that anyone could face contingencies. This happens because things are not organized and are thus placed at the wrong places. For example, scissors on your bed or over your sofa can be equally dangerous for both children and adults.

2. Keep Dangerous Items Out Of Reach of Children

Dangerous items include sharp items, glass items, cleaners, chemicals, blades, sharp tools, match boxes etc. Children are not aware of the consequences of the wrong use of these items and your absence can be very dangerous.

3. Keep the Garage Closed At All Times

Garages should be kept closed at all times of the day when no one’s around since it has equipment, tools, flammable liquid and maybe chemicals that can be dangerous for any one including adults who do not know the correct usage of such things.

4. Ensure the Pool Area Is Fenced

This is really important when you have small children in your house. Install fences so that even if your child strolls around, there is no danger of him/her drowning in the pool.

5. Keep Away Sharp Objects in the Kitchen Out Of Reach

Children make their way inside kitchens very easily and you cannot shun them always, instead keep away sharp objects away and do not leave them on counter-tops and tables.

6. Never Let Your Children Come Near the Gas Oven or Hold Knobs

Gas ovens alone account for a high number of domestic accidents. Keep your child away from gas ovens and gas knobs. Tell them it’s very dangerous right away so they do not come into contact with them even if you are away.

7. Keep Glass Bottles, Frames and Mirrors at Safe Places

Take off even slightly scratched glass from your coffee table, dining table, picture frames etc. These can be equally dangerous for both adults and children.

8. Arrange Your Glass Furniture and Decoration Pieces Wisely

Arrange glass furniture and decoration pieces wisely as anyone might knock over them. Avoid placing heavy glass at low levels in smaller settings.

9. Do Not Leave Your Children Alone In Bathrooms

Children love playing with water and everyone else does too, but doing so in a bathtub in the bathroom can be fatal as well!

10. Keep Your Store Room Locked Away

Store rooms are hardly ever very clean and organized. Mostly, people keep them full of old furniture, and things that can be potentially harmful in storerooms. A storeroom full of such items is surely a great threat for anyone.

 

Andrew works in the healthcare industry distributing daily living aids and bathroom aids. As part of his job, Andrew has gained experience on the risk of domestic accidents and how to avoid then.  (We at Blog4Safety appreciate Andrew’s advice on avoiding accidents in our homes. 

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING IS A GOOD IDEA

Do you take pride in keeping your home and yard nice and tidy?  How do you feel about keeping your workplace the same?  I have worked with some pretty messy people, ones who would throw their paper coffee cups on the floor, missing the wastebasket, and leaving other trash behind, and I wondered if they did the same at their houses.  Clutter, debris, and spills are a serious hazard, both at home and work.  Good housekeeping in the workplace pays big dividends, by preventing injuries, saving time by not having to look for tools or materials, and keeping  the boss happy. 

A sloppy workplace contributes to accidents such as tripping over objects that may have been left in the aisles or on stairs, getting hit by falling objects, or slipping on wet, dirty, or greasy floors.  Broken fixtures  in buildings that are not properly repaired can also cause accidents.  If the workplace is not kept free from dust and vapors, health problems could be an issue.  A safety officer should  complete a housekeeping checklist weekly.  Each department should be responsible to see that they pass the inspection with flying colors.  Housekeeping safety programs should include inspection, maintenance, upkeep, and repairs.  Aisles, fire equipment, first aid stations and emergency eyewash stations should never be blocked by clutter or debris. 

Employee facilities should be cleaned daily and stocked with soap, towels, and disinfectants. Many companies have individual lockers for workers to be able to change from their work clothes, in order to not contaminate their homes if they work in environments that contain hazardous materials.  

We’ve all heard the saying, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.”  This saying applies to our homes and places of employment.  Being organized is the best way to be efficient.  Dispensers play an important part of being organized in the workplace.  There are dispensers for everything from tape, to earplugs, eyeglasses, goggles, facemasks, medicines, hairnets, shoe covers, beard covers, and just about anything that requires being ready for use. 

Let’s all try a little harder to be good stewards at work. If every one of us keeps our little corner of the world tidy, what a safer world it will be.