Wake Forest, NC— It’s a fact – according to the National Safety Council, more accidents occur off the job than on the job for people of working age, and children and the elderly are the most likely groups to experience accidents at home. Most home accidents are preventable and result from a lack of home maintenance. Use the following checklist to spot possible safety hazards in your home.

Kitchen:
Make sure all of your appliances carry an Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) seal, which means the item was tested and found safe to use. Check electrical cords for fraying or cracking, step stools for splitting or cracking, and throw rugs for tripping hazards like bumps and turned-up corners.

Living room:
Just as you did in the kitchen, check rugs and runners, electrical cords, lamps and other lighting. Have a professional inspect the fireplace and chimney for fire hazards, and make sure all passageways are clear.

Bathroom:
Make sure small appliances, like hairdryers and curling irons, are marked with a UL seal and are plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. These outlets monitor electricity flowing in a circuit and trip the circuit if an imbalance is detected, protecting people from electric shock. Check the bathtub, shower, rugs and mats for slipping hazards and make sure cabinets that contain medicines or cleaning supplies are inaccessible to children.

Bedrooms:
Examine rugs, runners, electrical and telephone cords, and make sure the area around the bed is clear of items that could cause you to trip.

Basement/garage/workshop:
Make sure all power tools bear the UL mark. Check fuse and breaker boxes for possible malfunction. Inspect extension cords and cords on tools and lawn and garden supplies for fraying. Check for proper ventilation and make sure flammable liquids are stored in appropriate containers and at an acceptable temperature.

Stairs:
Make sure there is proper lighting on and around stairways. Examine handrails and steps for possible defects or weaknesses, and test stair coverings for possible tripping hazards.

If you notice a potential problem in your home, arrange for it to be fixed immediately to prevent accident or injury.

 

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