Tag Archives: stairs

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
Eye Protection, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

IMPORTANCE OF PROPER LIGHTING AT WORK AND HOME (GUEST POST)

By Ross Donald

Poor lighting is one of the most commonly identified causes of workplace injuries. It is not surprising when you consider that proper lighting is a key factor of being able to identify and avoid hazards, safely handle dangerous equipment, and deter criminal activity. Though additional lighting means additional costs, the costs of personal injury are often far greater. It is vital to give ample consideration to the lighting conditions of businesses and homes not only with cost in mind, but also the well-being of occupants and visitors.

Light Measurement

In meeting safety standards, light is usually measured in foot-candles. This refers to the amount of light cast on one square foot of a surface from a candle one foot away. There are many meters one can buy for professional use in measuring light, but personal intuition cannot be overvalued in determining unsafe lighting conditions.

Outside

Outdoor lighting needs just as much consideration as indoor lighting. Slip and fall accidents often occur outside when poor lighting makes it difficult to spot ice, oil, or dips and rises on walkways and parking lots. Also, a high level of visibility around the exterior of a building enhances its security by deterring criminals who would be easily seen conducting suspicious activity. In terms of safety and security, brighter lighting covering the largest area possible is usually advisable. This will also ensure that security cameras capture what they need to when incidents do occur.

Though business and home owners often give a good deal of consideration to aesthetic in their outdoor lighting, it is important to balance safety into that equation. Parking lot lighting is not federally regulated, but you will often find local legislation that requires something like, “a minimum of .25 foot-candles on the parking surface.” Such a minimum requirement is not necessarily suitable for all cases, however.

Stairs

Stairways indoors and outdoors need to be well lit as they are a hot spot for falls and tend to result in more severe injuries. Though there are a variety of options for lighting stairs, it is a good idea to place the lights so that there is as little shadow on the stairs as possible. Legislation often requires something around one foot-candle at the center of each stair and landing, so it is important to evaluate the light on this area of stairways.

Dangerous Equipment

Perhaps the most important consideration for proper lighting, dangerous equipment has to be evaluated on a case by case basis depending on how it is used. This includes everything from handling knives in a kitchen to operating a fork lift in a warehouse. Equipment involving careful manual operation needs a good light source that allows the operator to clearly see what they are doing. Also, if the operator is casting their own shadow over the equipment, the light source may need better placement. For equipment where there is a danger of injury by falling into its area of operation, ample light should be provided for a zone around the equipment as well.

Emergency Lighting

Emergency situations such as power outages and fires require not only good back up light sources, but also well-lit egress routes in case evacuation is necessary. Though this is an obvious and regulated consideration for businesses, it is important not to allow maintenance of such provisions to fall by the wayside. After all, just because they are not used every day doesn’t mean you should ignore them and expect them to perform whenever you may need them.

The Mood Factor

Though we wouldn’t generally consider a dreary state of mind to be an injury, it is a light-related factor that affects us all on some level at work and at home. Studies have shown that low light conditions contribute to a dark mood. At the same time, too much light also causes a decline here, so the trick is to find the right level of light that both enhances mood and provides safety where necessary.

As lighting technology evolves, more and more efficient, low-cost options are becoming available. While cost and aesthetics are valid considerations, safety is always paramount and should not be sacrificed in favor of other factors. Even with proper lighting installed, regular maintenance and replacement of the lights themselves and removal of obstructions is advisable for businesses and homeowners alike. When health and well-being are at stake, no cost in money or effort should be too great. Whether at home or at work, we should always be on the lookout for unsafe lighting conditions so they can be addressed before harm is done.

Ross Donald is a safety-conscious stay at home dad and blogger who loves to undertake a variety of DIY projects. He writes for leading supplier of light fixtures, Lightingsale.com

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

TEN COMMON ACCIDENTS KIDS HAVE AROUND THE HOUSE (Guest Post)

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Trying to protect your kids from harm can seem like a constant battle. Fortunately most of the accidents that happen to kids at home are not serious and many can be averted completely. Creating a safe home for your kids is possible, but only up to a certain degree. Kids are going to have accidents, despite your greatest attempts to avoid them. We’ve listed a few of the more common ones below.

  1. Falling down stairs – If your home has no stairs, this is one less thing you have to worry about. If you do have stairs then you will need to keep an eye on your kids. It goes without saying that the smaller the kids are the more you need to secure the stairs so they won’t be climbing up or down without adult supervision. As they get older, you will need to make sure that the stairs are kept clear. Many accidents occur because someone left a toy or other item on the stairs.
  2. Slipping in the tub – Soapy water can be a dangerous thing where kids are concerned. When kids stand up in the tub, there is always the chance that they could slip and fall. Adding a bath mat or non-slip decals to the bottom of the tub will make bath time a lot safer.
  3. Choking on food – Unfortunately, many parents still haven’t learned that you shouldn’t give small children hot dogs or grapes unless they are cut in small pieces. The same goes for other food as well. It doesn’t take a large piece of food to get caught in a little windpipe. Keep that in mind when cutting up your child’s food into bite size pieces.
  4. Falling out of trees – The adventurous child may have a penchant for climbing trees, especially those near the house that may have a view of a second story window. There are many family stories about the time little Jimmy broke his arm because he climbed up the tree to wave to someone in the bedroom and fell out of the tree.
  5. Slipping on polished floors – Many homes are now sporting beautiful wooden floors. Keeping those floors polished and looking gorgeous can also make them very slippery. Make sure your kids wear slippers or socks with gripper bottoms so they don’t wipe out when taking a cruise down the hall.
  6. Tripping over toys – Many times it’s the adult that trips over the toys, but kids fall too. Of course the remedy is to make sure the kids clean up after play time and put all the toys away; at the very least, get them out of traffic areas.
  7. Falling out of the high chair – Leaving toddlers unattended in their high chairs can lead to a serious accident if the child falls out or tips the chair over. Some very active kids learn to rock their high chairs and this can ultimately lead to a nasty fall. The solution is to never leave your kid unattended when their sitting in the high chair.
  8. Falling off the roof – As kids get older they like trying new things, like seeing what’s on the roof. Roofs are also accessed when they go up after a ball or some other object that got tossed up there. What ever the reason, make sure your kids know not to go up on the roof unless there is an adult supervising.
  9. Accident in the pants – These accidents occur often for toddlers, and fortunately, other than some inconvenience and perhaps a little embarrassment on the part of your child, there are no injuries involved. Just be aware that for some kids who are really working on potty training, an accident like this can actually seem like the end of the world. Sympathy and compassion on your part will do a lot to heal the wounded ego.
  10. Breaking something of value – Always an accident and usually due to horsing around or just not paying attention, this situation calls for patience and restraint on your part. Your child is already going to feel terrible about breaking the object, and how you handle the situation will make a big difference in your child’s life and self esteem.

Kids are going to fall down, scrape knees and elbows and some will break bones. All of those things will most likely heal nicely. A child’s self esteem and ego are a little more fragile, so you will want to be careful not to shame your child or place unnecessary blame on them for their accidents. Making your home safe is not just about the physical things you need to do, it also includes the psychological and emotional environment that makes a child feel safe. 

Sonja Bogart http://www.aupairs.org/blog

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Home Safety Products

SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIORS (AND) EVERYONE! PART I

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It’s very normal for us to be concerned with our safety as we age.  It’s natural that as we grow older, we take more risks with everyday tasks.  Here are some suggestions that you may have already thought of;  if not, let’s think about ways to make our lives safer.   Take a mental picture of your home, room by room.  Are there some changes we should consider making?  Things in my home that are hazards are loose rugs in my hallway.  If I continue to keep them, I should use double-sided tape or non-slip padding on the underside, especially at corners and center, to prevent them from slipping.  We know that slips, trips, and falls, are serious hazards for workers, as well as seniors. 

Continuing through your home: how about the living room/den?  Are they cluttered?  You should never leave anything on the floor where someone could trip.  Furniture should be arranged to provide clear, easy pathways.  Power and extension cords should be taped along the baseboards of walls to keep them out of the way.  If there are steps in the home, have a ramp or handrail installed.  Having a soft nightlight in each room would help us find our way in the dark.

Going into the kitchen, see if the items you use the most are stored on easy-to-reach shelves, between waist and eye level.  If the step stool is old (please, never use a chair), get a stepladder with handles for extra support.  Keep flammables, like cup towels away from the stove.  Don’t wear loose clothing around the stove while you are cooking.  If you don’t have a fire extinguisher, purchase one, and have the store representative show you how to properly use it. 

Bedroom: never tuck in an electric blanket if you use them.  This can cause overheating and result in a fire.  Heating pads should not be used in bed; if someone falls asleep with it on, burns can result, even at low temperatures.  Have a light near the bed within easy reach.  Install a nightlight between the bed and bathroom to avoid a fall in the dark. 

Accidental falls in the bathroom are a common cause of broken hips; apply self-adhesive non-slip strips to the bottom of the tub or shower.  Have a grab bar inside the shower; installing another one beside the toilet is advisable.  Accessible toilets, 3 to 5” higher than a standard seat, make it safer and more convenient.  It would be wise to have locks that can open doors from both sides. 

Stairway/Porch Steps: one of the most common sites of falls is the stairway, or on the porch.  Stay safe on stairs with light-sensitive night lights in unlit stairwells, hallways, and by placing light switches at doorways, and at top and bottom on stairs.  Railings should be installed for sturdiness on steps of porches.  Paint porches with grit to prevent slips.

 One last point: if you have pets, watch them when you have older visitors, if you are a senior citizen, or have someone living with you that needs a safe haven.  I had a very dear friend, 97 years old, who had always been very careful about falling, because she was a very tiny lady and concerned about breaking her hip.  While visiting, the owner’s large dog greeted her, and knocked her down.  The result was a broken hip, and she died from complications of the surgery.  (She sweetly said, “it wasn’t the dog’s fault!” )  Another first-hand accident I am aware of was when an 80-year old lady was tripped by a young cat.  She also broke her hip, and required weeks of therapy following surgery.  She was in her early 80’s, and survived.  Our animals don’t intend to hurt someone, but we must be vary careful to avoid these types of accidents.

I hope these ideas will be of help.  Tomorrow, we will continue with more tips.  Please stay tuned………………….