Common accidents and how to avoid them
Some of the most common and dangerous emergency situations occur at home.
The National Safety Council says that 25 million in-home injuries occurred in 2018. In fact, the NSC says the home injury death rate increased by 150 percent between 1999 and 2018.
The top five most fatal household injuries in the U.S. are poisoning, falls, choking or suffocation, drowning, and fires/ burns. Recognizing the threat these accidents pose can compel people to make every effort possible to prevent them from happening.
▪ Poisoning: Poisoning can be attributed to exposure to household chemicals, but illicit drugs and alcohol use, as well as prescription drug overdoses, have become major contributors to accidental poisonings. Keeping medicine and liquor cabinets locked can keep children and teens away from off-limits items.
▪ Falls: Falls can happen at any age but they’re most common among the very young or very old. Installing grab bars in bathrooms, improving indoor lighting and removing tripping hazards like area rugs or toys from high traffic areas can reduce the likelihood of falls.
▪ Choking/suffocation: Eating too quickly and not chewing adequately can cause food to become lodged in the throat. Older adults may lose the ability to chew or swallow adequately due to cognitive disorders or other conditions. Suffocation can occur when children are put in unsafe sleeping environments. Blankets or toys can impede kids’ ability to breathe. Keeping a home clean, monitoring children and seniors while eating, and learning the Heimlich maneuver can help prevent injuries.