Thursday 15 December 2011

HOUSEHOLD/CHILD SAFETY

Unfortunately our homes are where we are most likely to be injured.  By far the most common type of home injuries is unintentional, but they are avoidable if only we take precautions every step of the way. Preventing home injuries is tricky because no one approach is going to be effective on its own. However, if the home environment is designed to be safer, then the consequence of any unsafe behaviour is likely to be less.
Some groups are at greater risk of injury in the home.  The elderly, for example, can have limits to their mobility or a slower response to hazards in the environment. Young children have not yet developed fully, both in physical development and understanding and in management of risks. Physical or sensory disabilities make some people especially vulnerable to injury.  Most of us at some stage suffer disability, even if only for a short time through injury or illness.  Our personal and family circumstances can change very quickly, and you may also want to consider the safety of friends, visitors, or potential future owners of your home. Perhaps the best approach is to remember that anything which makes a home safer for any one of us makes it safer for all of us.  Plan a home where both inside and outside areas can be used safely by everyone.
This subject will be considered on a room to room basis in the house; kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and living room. Hazard assessment, mitigation procedure and childproofing for each room will be considered.
Safety is not a one-off thing, but a culture; a habit that must be developed and improved upon always.

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