The Hidden Dangers in Your Home

by Ronel Forbes

November 18, 2021

For your children, your house should be the safest haven possible. At the very least, we can be attentive and aware of any potential risks lurking in our own houses that could hurt our curious and vulnerable children. Even though we have the best intentions as parents to keep our homes secure, there are several hidden risks that can go unnoticed.

In a matter of minutes, our peaceful, safe house can deteriorate into an awful and dangerous environment. Let us be extra cautious at home, as our hectic lives sometimes cause us to overlook the need of maintaining peace and safety.

Although it may seem difficult to imagine that your home could be unsafe, there is a lot of statistical evidence to back this up. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 9,000 children die each year as a result of home-related accidents and injuries, with another 8.9 million being taken to emergency rooms.

You may remove the chance of these outcomes in your home by assessing the most risky places of the house, as well as the most typical causes of death and serious injury.

As a homeowner, we recognize that there are numerous responsibilities, but there are prominent dangers that should never be overlooked. We intend to provide helpful information to our members that will assist them in identifying and eliminating these threats.

Falls, poisoning, fires and burns, choking and suffocation, and drowning are the most common causes of harm in the home. There are necessary procedures that can be done to avoid these events in the first place.

Toys

Falls can be readily avoided by drying wet flooring, installing handrails on stairways, and picking up loose things off the ground. Starting at a young age, children should be taught to put their things away after play time. Stabilize staircases, clear any outdoor steps, protect bathrooms with carpets or surfaces that are likely to get wet, and build support rails where necessary to avoid falls.

For example, if a senior lives alone, it is critical to ensure that all stairwells and toilets have the necessary stabilizing rails to prevent falls. To obtain the equipment that is suited for you, we recommend contacting your local hospital or a reputable medical equipment dealer.

Magnets

Annaka Chafin, who is 19 months old, recently swallowed seven small magnetic balls from her brother’s toy necklace. In her bowels, the magnets joined and caused a perforation, which became septic. She died as a result of this avoidable injury (Jayne O’Donnell, USA Today, “CPSC May Ban Tiny Magnets That Killed a Child”).

Unfortunately, this is not a one-off occurrence. Over 2,700 trips to the emergency room for children who had ingested magnets were documented in a recent study published in the Journal of Pediatrics. This is more than three times the number of magnet-related incidents that occurred in the previous decade.

What Can You Do?

Take all little magnets out of your child’s playroom, and keep any refrigerator magnets out of reach. Even alphabet magnets can be snatched from their plastic wrappers and consumed.
When possible, use flat magnetic strip-style magnets.
High-powered magnets are the main hazard. They are significantly weaker than square or circular magnets and are more difficult to consume. Keep them out of reach (and out of sight) of children, and teach them that they should only be used in the presence of an adult.

Candles

From smoke damage to total losses, fire damage is a common danger within residential homes. Believe it, this happens more often than you think, and both the short term and long term effects can be devastating financially and emotionally for your family. Candles and unattended hot tools (like an iron) can lead to an accidental fire in your home. Minimize risk by installing fire alarms, monitoring candles, unplug unused appliances, and purchase fire extinguishers.

Example: Burning candles and incense is a popular practice, but we do not recommend allowing them to burn longer than necessary and definitely not if you plan on leaving your home or even the room they are burning in. While some people may switch on their ovens while running to the shop for groceries, this is extremely risky and can potentially result in a fire.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers and stoves can readily cause burns, even if they don’t appear to be a home concern. When youngsters are present in the kitchen, make sure your dishwasher is locked, that you utilize rear burners, and that you cover your stove knobs.

For example, many individuals have had mild burns, but burns in elders and small children might be more serious. Preventing frequent burns in the home can be as simple as turning unused burners to the OFF position immediately after use and informing everyone in the house when something is hot.

Even if we think we’re protecting our homes against these dangers, they’re nonetheless the most common for a reason. We can all do more to keep our homes safe for ourselves and others.

Our devoted team is dedicated to the MGS fundamental values and will deliver the insurance service you deserve.

Window Blinds

When installing window treatments, be cautious of dangling cables, as young toddlers and active youngsters are drawn to connections that have not been securely installed.

All blinds and shades should include a cordless alternative, according to the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC). To adjust the height of a cordless window treatment, simply push or pull on the bottom rail with a moderate push or pull. There are no dangling cords to cause mishaps in the window.

With the touch of a button or a tap from your smartphone, motorized window treatments give even more convenience and ensure optimum safety. If a cordless or motorized lift is not possible due to the location or size of the window, the WCSC also allows the use of continuous cord loops for child-safe window treatments.

This option has a clutch-assisted lift control with a looped cable that is securely connected to the wall and stays the same length no matter where the shade is placed. In all locations where children and blinds and shades interact, take extra steps to install safe window coverings.

For a reliable insurance provider, give us a call today!
MGS Insurance is happy to offer members throughout the Manila area, including Las Pinas, Metro Manila, and etc, with business, home, and vehicle insurance.

Read also: At Home With Distractions