what are the hazards at home

Hazards in the home

• Fire Fires at home can be highly dangerous, not only to your property but also to you and the people you live with. ...
• Poisoning Several household items present poisoning risks, such as cleaning and maintenance supplies, medications and petrol. ...
• Allergies Mould grows when water condenses onto surfaces, like walls and window frames, and is directly related to humidity within your home. ...
• Water ...

Full Answer

How to reduce fire hazards in your home?

Read on to learn how to prevent house fires.

1. Test Your Smoke Alarms Regularly. The easiest way to avoid a house fire is by checking your smoke alarms regularly. ...
2. Inspect All Your Heating Sources. If your heating sources aren’t working properly they could trigger a fire to happen. ...
3. Keep Your Stove and Oven Clean. ...
4. Don’t Leave Your Kitchen. ...
5. Always Check Your Dryer. ...
6. Maintain All Cords. ...

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What are some health hazards around the House?

• Difficulty drawing enough power to feed all of your needs.
• A burning smell that seems to come from the walls or outlets.
• Smoke coming from your outlets.
• Warm spots in the wall.
• Obvious fraying in exposed wires.
• Noisy electric, such as humming.

How to prevent fire hazards at home and office?

Walking Surfaces in the Home Office

• Floor surfaces should be level, dry, and free of frayed seams; carpets need to be well secured to the floor.
• Surfaces should be free of tripping, slipping, or bumping hazards.
• Never allow electrical or telephone cords in walkways.
• All stairs with four or more steps should be equipped with handrails.

What are the most common fire hazards?

Common fire hazards include heat-producing equipment, building occupancy, material storage, and more. When you understand the factors that commonly lead to fire, you are more likely to be prepared for it. At Castle Sprinkler & Alarm, we know the importance of fire protection in various industries.

What are the most common causes of death in a home accident?

How to keep kids from strangling?

Why unload dishwasher after use?

What to do if a pan catches fire?

How to keep children safe from falling down stairs?

Why do people fall in the bathroom?

Is it bad to break a bone in an elderly person?

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What is a hazard in the home?

Anything in your house that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire during an emergency is a home hazard.

What are 5 examples of hazards?

5 Major Hazards in the WorkplaceFalls and Falling Objects.Chemical Exposure.Fire Hazards.Electrical Hazards.Repetitive Motion Injury.

What are 10 common hazards?

Some industries naturally carry more risks, but we have outlined the top 10 most common workplace hazards that pose a threat: Hazardous chemicals, which include the following: acids, caustic substances, disinfectants, glues, heavy metals (mercury, lead, aluminium), paint, pesticides, petroleum products, and solvents.

What are the hazards in everyday life?

We have put together this quick guide to alert you to the hazards in your home so that you can keep your family as safe as possible.Falls. Falls are the leading cause of death when it comes to home accidents. ... Poisoning. ... Carbon Monoxide. ... Fire Hazards. ... Drowning. ... Choking. ... Sharp Objects. ... Stoves.More items...

What are the 7 types of hazards?

The 7 common workplace hazards are:Safety hazards.Biological hazards.Physical hazards.Ergonomic hazards.Chemical hazards.Work organization hazards.Environmental hazards.

What are the hazard and risk in the kitchen?

Common risks in the kitchen are; fire, electrical issues, burns, slipping, improper handling of kitchen equipment, food poisoning, and improper storage.

What are physical hazards 10 examples?

Physical hazards include exposure to slips, trips, falls, electricity, noise, vibration, radiation, heat, cold and fire. The following table summarizes the sources of physical hazard exposure and their health effects.

What are the 9 types of hazards?

The nine hazard classes are as follows:Class 1: Explosives.Class 2: Gases.Class 3: Flammable and Combustible Liquids.Class 4: Flammable Solids.Class 5: Oxidizing Substances, Organic Peroxides.Class 6: Toxic Substances and Infectious Substances.Class 7: Radioactive Materials.Class 8: Corrosives.More items...

What are the 6 types of hazards?

Types of Hazard Workplace hazards fall into six core types – safety, biological, physical, ergonomic, chemical and workload.

What are the hazards in bedroom?

The most common bedroom safety hazards are furniture since bedrooms tend to have a lot of furniture for a small space. Additionally, as we get older, the need to go to the bathroom during the night increases which also increases the risk of falls.

What are the common hazards in school?

Top 5 school safety hazardsStairs. Students and staff are often in a rush during the school day. ... Snow and ice. Wet weather creates wet floors indoors. ... Ladders. Students face the risk of falling from ladders on older playgrounds. ... Elevation. ... Slick surfaces.

How can we avoid hazards at home?

Never add fuel to a burning fire or overfill a fuel container and never fill up a firebox fuel container that is still hot. Keep children and pets away from fireboxes and fuel. Extinguish all fires when leaving a room or before going to sleep. Always use bioethanol fireboxes and containers in a well-ventilated room.

What are the 4 types of hazards?

There are four types of hazards that you need to consider:Microbiological hazards. Microbiological hazards include bacteria, yeasts, moulds and viruses.Chemical hazards. ... Physical hazards. ... Allergens.

What are the 6 common hazard and risk in workplace?

Workplace hazards fall into six core types – safety, biological, physical, ergonomic, chemical and workload.

What are the 4 health hazards?

There are many types of hazards - chemical, ergonomic, physical, and psychosocial, to name a few - which can cause harm or adverse effects in the workplace. Get resources on specific hazards and their control, including identification, risk assessment and inspections, to keep your workplace healthy and safe.

What are five 5 ways that you can identify workplace hazards?

Dina AdlouniCollect existing information about workplace hazards.Inspect the workplace for safety and health hazards.Identify health-related hazards.Conduct incident investigations.Identify hazards associated with emergency situations.

What are the most common household hazards?

1. Falls. Injuries due to falls are one of the most common household hazards. In fact, one out of five older adults who falls incurs a broken bone or a head injury. 1 Wet floors, slippery stairs, and scattered toys all create the potential for falls.

How to keep children out of the house?

Keep all makeup, hair products, soaps, and other personal products out of the reach of children and pets. Use safety latches on all doors and drawers to help keep even the most determined youngsters out.

How to keep a pool safe?

Keep pool safety equipment handy at all times, like a drowning hook and a life buoy. Fence the pool completely, lock it securely, and monitor it with gate, motion, and water break alarms.

How many fires were there in 2018?

In 2018, there were more than 363,000 fires in US homes, causing everything from mild smoke damage to total devastation, including the loss of 3,655 lives. 2 Even candles or an unattended iron can lead to accidental fires in your home, but there is a lot you can do to prevent a home fire from getting out of hand.

How to protect pets from poisoning?

Protect both children and pets from accidental poisoning by securing your cleaning supplies. Keep all household cleaners in a high cupboard with a safety lock to keep kids and animals from accidentally finding them. Lock up pesticides and items like turpentine in a cupboard or lockbox in the garage or shed.

Can you overload an electrical outlet?

Don’t overload electrical outlets, either. In fact, it’s a smart electrical safety practice to unplug small appliances like toasters when not in use. 3. Carbon monoxide. Low exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) can cause headaches and dizziness, while high levels can lead to vomiting, impaired vision, and even death.

What are the hazards of a house?

Fire – Make sure you have fire alarms installed in your home and check the batteries regularly. Never leave candles unattended and ensure to unplug appliances after use. It is recommended not to put excessive amounts of plugs into a power adapter and keep these areas tidy.

Why is it important to be aware of hazards?

Whilst we don’t want you worrying too much, it’s still important to be aware of these hazards to help you and your family prevent accidents or injuries from occurring and stay safe at home . Below are 10 hazards to be aware of around the home along with ways you can minimise them.

How to prevent choking in a house?

Choking – Make sure all blind and curtain cords are tied down and don’t have any excess string. Don’t leave necklaces and headbands on young children and remove bibs immediately after use. Falls – Keep steps leading to the house and interior staircases clear from debris and toys.

How to keep poisons safe?

Poisoning – Keep all poisons in a safe place, preferably high up. Never decant poisons into unlabelled containers as they can easily be mistaken for something else. Ensure all medication is secured and out of easy reach from children.

How many children are injured by falling from windows?

Each year in the United States nearly 15,000 children are injured because of falls from windows. Window screens are not strong enough to prevent falls. In rooms on upper floors, install window guards with quick-release mechanisms (in case of fire) to prevent windows from opening more than a few inches.

What happens if you put clothes in a gas water heater?

Clothes piled too close to a gas water heater can ignite when the water heater comes on. The protective doors for the gas burners are missing. Appliances (clothes dryers and gas water heaters) cause 7 percent of home fires and 4 percent of deaths.

How often do children get injured by furniture tipping?

Furniture Tipping. If you don’t think that furniture tipping over is a danger you have to worry about, learn of the numbers, and you’ll think twice when someone warns you of the dangers. Every year, thousands of children are injured by furniture tipping over. Every two weeks, a child is killed by a tip-over.

What are the causes of fires in the home?

Cooking fires are the top cause of home fires and home injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Meanwhile, heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths. Electricity, smoking, and candles pose their share of fire hazards, too.

Why is it important to take care of your home?

For most, the word “home” conjures feelings of safety, warmth, and security. After spending heaps of time, money, and effort buying or renting a home, people are often too exhausted to even begin thinking about how to prevent hazards or accidents. The truth is, most mishaps at home can be easily prevented, which is why it's so important to take ...

Why are children susceptible to poisoning?

Poisoning affects people of all ages. Younger children are susceptible because they get into cleaning supplies and other toxic household products. They overdose on vitamins and medicines not taken under proper adult supervision.

How many poisonings were reported in 2018?

In 2018, more than 2 million poisoning incidents were reported to poison control centers nationwide.

What are the products that are associated with falls?

Common household products often associated with severe falls include baby walkers, windows, trampolines, and other playground equipment.

Is awareness enough to keep your family safe?

Awareness alone is not enough to keep your family safe, but it will get you started. Once you are familiar with the various home hazards and how to prevent them, you can invest time and elbow grease to bring home safety to life.

Why is a gas stove dangerous?

The number one reason a stove is dangerous is because it can potentially burn your family members, but in addition, an improperly installed stove can cause even bigger problems. If the stove wasn’t installed on a level surface, it has the potential to tip over and crush fingers or toes, and if a gas stove isn’t hooked up properly, it could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

What are some things that are safe to use in the kitchen?

These include common kitchen items like knives, cheese graters, scissors, blender or food processor blades, skewers, corkscrews, and peelers.

How many people die from carbon monoxide poisoning?

Every year, around 200 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning. This gas is both colorless and odorless (hence the nickname “the silent killer”), and is often produced when fuel-burning appliances malfunction. These include fireplaces, portable generators, stoves, clothing dryers, and more. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, install detectors near bedrooms and in other places they can be easily heard if triggered. Also, never block the exhaust system of a fuel-burning appliance or try to repair one on your own. Instead, call a professional.

Is it dangerous to use a bathroom?

Even though it’s one of the smallest places in your home, your bathroom can be more dangerous than you may think. Bathtubs and showers can be very slippery when wet, and can therefore be a threat to family members of any age. Install grab bars for balance and anti-slip floor mats for grip.

Is it better to be safe in your own home?

Nothing feels better than the safety of your own home, but there are actually a wide array of hazards that could compromise your well-being. While you may think of children when it comes to safety hazards, individuals of any age can be affected.

Can stairs cause falls?

Staircases are a major culprit for falls, so make sure your stairs aren’t cracked, uneven, or missing pieces. Also make sure they’re well lit at nighttime and have a banister for balance.

Can electrical outlets cause fires?

Believe it or not, there are fire hazards all over your home, and many of them are electrical. Our electrical repair specialists advise against overloading your electrical outlets. In fact, you should unplug any small appliances that are not in use. In addition, check all of your appliances on a regular basis for frayed or damaged cords that can lead to an electrical fire.

What is a hazard for children?

Since children like to climb things, they may open drawers or scale the shelves. Anchor any such pieces to the wall if you think they may tip over if a child attempts to climb them.

What to do if you suspect asbestos in your home?

If you suspect something in your home contains asbestos, contact an asbestos inspection firm to examine and test the material. You can also take a sample yourself and have it tested at a local lab. Be sure to follow standard guidelines for safe sampling.

How to prevent trips to the bathroom in the dark?

Always straighten any area rugs and runners that ripple to prevent trips, especially if you have any children or elderly visitors coming over. Likewise, encourage everyone to pick up after themselves to prevent trips on those late-night treks to the bathroom in the dark.

Is it safe to live in a new house?

Home is our refuge — but it's also filled with chemicals, fire starters and toxic substances that can easily injure or even kill someone if the proper precautions aren't taken. Asbestos and lead are common home hazards in older structures, but even a brand-new house has its fair share of potential safety concerns. Slippery floors, electrical issues, top-heavy furniture and even cleaning products can be dangerous under certain circumstances (particularly with our youngest family members). With a little maintenance and some basic home safety preventatives, many of these issues can be corrected or avoided altogether to keep your family safe.

Can a fire occur in a breaker box?

Home fires may also occur within the breaker box or elsewhere if the circuits are overloaded, especially if the wiring isn't properly connected. Any home with old, cloth-covered electrical wiring visible in the attic or basement is due for an electrical inspection and ideally a complete wiring overhaul to make things safer and bring the wiring up to code.

Can a child push things into an electrical outlet?

Curious young children are sometimes tempted to push things into electrical outlets. If the item they choose is metal, such as a fork, shock could occur. To keep children safe, place childproof safety caps over all unused outlets to prevent any issues. If you replace old outlets or install new ones, be sure to use tamper-resistant (labeled "TR") outlets, which are designed for child safety and are required for most new outlet installations.

Can electrical fires happen with faulty wiring?

Although electrical fires are associated with faulty wiring, they can happen even in a home with new wiring if items plugged into outlets have undersized or damaged cords. Any electrical cord with worn insulation is a potential electrical fire hazard if bare wire is visible. Extension cords are also potential safety hazards, especially if an item that draws a lot of current, such as an air conditioner, is plugged into an extension cord that is not designed for such use.

What happens if you have dust near a space heater?

When you have dust near a space heater, electrical sockets, and other spots that can ignite, you put yourself at risk for a blaze.

Why do most house fires start in the kitchen?

In fact, most house fires will start in the kitchen because it’s just too easy for a little oil or other food to escape.

Why do computers need space from anything flammable?

Recognize that televisions and computers need space from anything flammable because they overheat

Can you be sure you are safe from a fire?

Unless you’re constantly on the lookout for fire hazards in your home, you can never be sure you’re safe from a house fire.

Do everyone have electrical appliances?

Everyone has electrical appliances in their house.

Is old wiring bad?

Old or bad wiring is present in some homes, and it can be a fire hazard.

Do people have lamps in their homes?

Most people have lamps in their homes.

How many people are sent to hospital emergency departments every year due to injuries involving outlets?

Improperly protected outlets. As much as 5,500 people are sent to hospital emergency departments every year due to injuries involving outlets, many of them kids. If you’ve got kids in the home, ward off the danger with tamper-proof outlet covers to keep the curious safe.

How many electrical fires occur in a year?

But living in a house powered by electricity also means electrical hazards are all around you. As much as 51,000 electrical home structure fires occur each year, according to data from the non-profit Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), and they cause more than $1.3 billion in property damage annually.

Is electricity good for your house?

Electricity makes our lives easier every day, but it’s powerful and needs to be treated with respect. In addition to making some upgrades around the house, you may consider installing smart outlets that can be turned off from an app on your phone or contracting with an alarm company that can monitor for fire and smoke in the house.

Can electrical hazards be fixed?

Before you panic and run to the breaker box to shut it all off, you should know that electrical hazards can be easily fixed —if you know what to look for. So sit tight, and let’s take a look at the some of the most common electrical hazards in homes, so you know what to do to ensure your home is as safe as possible.

What are the most common causes of death in a home accident?

We have put together this quick guide to alert you to the hazards in your home so that you can keep your family as safe as possible. 1. Falls . Falls are the leading cause of death when it comes to home accidents. They make up a third of all fatalities. The elderly are most affected by this type of accident.

How to keep kids from strangling?

Keep strings, cords, and ropes out of the reach of children. In particular, pay attention to curtains that have cords and make sure cots and beds are not near this strangling hazard.

Why unload dishwasher after use?

Unload the dishwasher after use so that small children are at minimal risk of getting their hands on sharp objects or wash them separately.

What to do if a pan catches fire?

If the pan catches fire use a damp tea towel to deal with the flames, never try to put the fire out with water. Have your electrical wiring tested regularly by a qualified electrician. At Xmas, a major hazard and devastating tragedy is fires, which can start from faulty Xmas tree lights.

How to keep children safe from falling down stairs?

Staircases: Keep children safe from tumbling down steps by installing safety gates at both the bottom and top of staircases. Keep everyone safe by making sure the lighting is good and the handrails and steps are solid and well maintained. Elderly people with less mobility should consider installing stairlifts or consider moving to a home without stairs to avoid falls.

Why do people fall in the bathroom?

Bathrooms: Anyone is susceptible to falls in the bathroom due to slippery wet surfaces. Whilst not the most hygienic type of flooring for a bathroom, those at risk of falling should consider having bathroom floors fully carpeted. Showers should have rubber mats to prevent falls from wet surfaces.

Is it bad to break a bone in an elderly person?

While younger people may also suffer a broken bone, a broken bone is a far more serious problem for an older person in terms of healing.