According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most home accidents happen where there’s water, heat or flames, toxic substances or potential for a fall. With a little foresight these accidents are preventable.
A top cause of death is drowning which can occur in a pool, hot tub, bath tub, or even in a water bucket or toilet bowl. Pool safety features include childproof gates, pool drain covers, and pool alarms which sounds an alert when someone enters the water. Hot tubs and toilet bowls can be equipped with locking covers.
Fall injuries are also very common. These include falling down stairs, falling off play equipment, falling out a window, or on a slippery surface especially in the bathroom. Tipping furniture, e.g., high chairs, are also a hazard. Safety measures for falls include: childproof gates at bottom and top of stair; cushioning rugs; mulches below outdoor play equipment; and, window safety latches or stops. Bathroom fall safety measures include grab bars and non-skid surfaces installed in tubs, showers, and on bathroom floors.
There is also a danger in which heavy objects like bookshelves, lamps, and televisions could fall and injure children. These need to be secured so they cannot fall. Corner bumpers can protect children from the sharp edges of furniture and fireplace hearth edges.
Hot water which can scald tender baby skin is another leading cause of accidents. Safety measures to prevent scalding including a hot water thermostat setting of 120oF or below, and anti-scald water valves. These valves react to water pressure and/or temperature to prevent bath water from overheating. They counteract the dangers posed by on-demand water heaters which may deliver spurts of overheated water.
Kitchen stove burners, outdoor grills and spills of hot liquid or food cause many burns. These can be prevented by gates which exclude children from the kitchen, stove knob covers, and placing hot pots where kids cannot reach them. Also it is important to place barriers around radiators, fireplaces, and portable heaters and to keep clothes irons in a save place.
Electrical outlets pose a threat to curious children. These can be protected by child proof outlet covers. Electrical cords also need to be hidden and electrical appliances stored in a safe place.
The list of substances which may be toxic to children is long and surprising. In addition to household cleaners and pesticides, medications, mouthwash, toothpaste, vitamins, meat tenderizers and even spices may poison children. These substances need to be kept locked away from children along with firearms, knives and scissors. There is a large variety of child-safe locks for cabinets and drawers.
Snow and ice sliding off roofs pose a danger to objects and people below. For example, snow avalanches can rip gutters off a roof, and falling ice can cause injuries. Snow dogs (aka snow guards, snow retention devices, snow stops, snow birds, snow brackets, snow-guards) are used to prevent this.
There are many kinds of snow dogs. They all stick out above the surface of the roof to stop large masses of snow or ice from sliding off the roof.
Building security is multi-dimensional. First of all it is physical protection from natural disasters—floods, hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes and wildfires. A building fortified with impact windows and doors is also safer from intruders.
Building security is also enhanced by electronic feedback systems like alarms and monitors. Many building owners feel safer if there is good outdoor lighting as well to discourage prowlers and help them keep an eye on things. Motion detectors can help you save energy while activating lighting when people are present. Outdoor lighting should face downward (aka full cutoff lighting) and not extend beyond your property line. People and nature are designed to run with a clearly defined day/night cycle. There is evidence that light pollution may be impacting health.
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