Is Your Home a Safety Hazard? 6 Dangers That Lurk Within

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Home sweet home? Not always

Everyone is worried, and with good reason, about COVID-19 and the people who might be carriers. But if you are worried about your safety and health, keep in mind that sometimes the enemy is not “out there” but right at home. In fact, sometimes “we have met the enemy and he is us,” as the cartoon character Pogo used to say.

To be clear: From everything the experts are telling us, the stay-at-home orders are the most powerful way we have to staunch the spread of COVID-19. So stay at home! But because of the “halo effect,” you might see your good ol' home as a non-threatening environment. What could be more comforting and safe than your very own living space?

Actually, safety expert Steve Casden says, “It might be best to assume that everything in your house is trying to kill you.” That includes kitchen knives, a broken wine glass, scented candles, and much more. He makes this argument in a deadly funny article entitled, appropriately, “Do Not Stand on That Chair.” Among other dangers, he points to these common actions that can lead to injuries or other disasters:

• Using a chair instead of a stepladder to fetch something from a high shelf or cabinet.
• Using a kitchen knife incorrectly or carelessly.
• Forgetting to turn off a burner on the stove.
• Neglecting to blow out a candle.

He also noted that the coronavirus crisis is an especially bad time to become a victim of your own carelessness: “Without a functioning health care system, an everyday injury could end your life. A pandemic is the time to start being a kind of careful that you’ve likely never considered before.” You do not want to end up in the ER ever—but especially not right now when health care personnel may have other priorities. Moreover, you could get exposed to the very virus you are trying to avoid. (That said, if you have a life-threatening emergency, don't hesitate to use the ER. And do see your doctor if you have a life-threatening health problem. Too many people are failing to get necessary medical care and suffering because of the Covid Crisis. Now that procedures have been put in place in medical settings to reduce risk, keep that screening appointment or see your M.D.)

6 Safety Challenges in Your Home

What “kind of careful” should you be during a crisis in which you are sheltering in place? For starters, avoid these six common ways to have an accident at home. (Note: I’ve focused on adults in this post, but you might inspect your living space with an eye to child-proofing, too.)

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1. Falling

Fall hazards can trip up children and adults of any age. However, older adults are particularly vulnerable to the life-threatening consequences of falls. For people over 50, falls are the leading cause of death from injuries. Almost 1 out of 10 people over the age of 50 will die within a month of surgery for a broken hip, according to this NPR report. One in 10!

To prevent falls, take these steps:

• Walk from room to room, noting any obstacles that could be unsafe, especially those in high-traffic areas. Move or remove them.
• Hold onto the banister when going up or down stairs. Make sure it does not wiggle! If it does, get it fixed.
• Remove small area rugs. These are major slipping-and-tripping hazards.
• Light up dark areas of your home.
• Fix uneven stairs or steps. Install grab bars in critical areas of the home, such as showers.
• If you must stand on something to get an item from a high shelf, recruit another family member to stand by. At the very least, have your phone with you so you can call 911 in case of an accident.

2. Bump hazards

Coffee tables and other low tables, especially those with sharp corners, can be dangerous bump hazards for people of all ages. Install “corner guards” to protect babies, toddlers, and adults from head and limb injuries. Your open dishwasher door is also a sneaky bump hazard.

Bump hazards can lead to painful leg bruises or even deep gashes. If stitches are required, you’d need an ER visit—a very bad idea right now.

And while we’re looking at the dishwasher, remember to put the business end of your flatware face down. You want to grab the handles when you remove your knives and forks, not the blades or tines.

Source: Public Domain Vectors

3. Eye hazards

Safety goggles or wraparound glasses can protect you when you are mowing the lawn, doing outdoor projects, using power tools, or tackling tough cleaning jobs. Wear glasses when handling any substances that pose eye dangers, such as polishes, ammonia, and bleach. (If you are out shopping, goggles or glasses might also afford some protection against virus droplets entering your eyes.)

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4. Indoor air pollution

“If you are one of the millions of Americans breathing polluted air, you may be at a greater risk of catching the coronavirus and of having a more severe infection,” according to this New York Times article. Why? For one, air pollution can aggravate chronic lung problems such as asthma and COPD. Also, exposure to air pollution raises the risk of damage to your immune and respiratory systems, making viral illnesses more toxic.

A few ways to mitigate indoor pollution:

• When cleaning, painting, or using harmful chemicals, make sure you have good ventilation.
• Don’t smoke in or near your house. In fact, don’t smoke!
• When you cook, turn on the ventilation hood above your stove.
• Unless you live in a highly polluted area, open windows for fresh air.
• Buy an air purifier if you can afford it.
• Fix water damage to prevent mold.

5. Neglecting exercise and other healthy habits

Counterintuitive though it may seem, exercise reduces fall risks. That's because exercise promotes balance as well as strength and flexibility. So keep up your regular exercise program. But if that's impossible, just do what you can. Even small “exercise snacks” like getting up and moving around every hour, doing chores, and taking brief walks can lift your mood and help prevent “sitting diseases” such as obesity and poor cardiovascular fitness.

Also, eat healthy foods, stick to a good sleep schedule, and connect with others to ward off loneliness. All of these healthy habits will boost your immune system and your state of mind.

6. Pregnancy risks

Some seers have predicted a coronavirus baby boom. If you and your partner do not want to get pregnant, make sure you have a supply of condoms or another method of birth control on hand.

Dangers from Living Companions

While outside the scope of this post, I would just like to mention some extreme safety hazards that you might face from others in your home. I’ll offer a quick list, followed by one or more resources:

• Partner abuse. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is open 24/7: 1-800-799-SAFE or text LOVEIS to 22522. Or just call 911.
• Child abuse. 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) is the National Child Abuse Hotline, open 24/7. Their text number is 1-800-422-4453.
• Alcohol or drug abuse. The New York Times published a comprehensive list of online resources for those who struggle with substance abuse and their friends and family.
• National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255.

Sadly, all of these dangers appear to be on the increase now that people are trapped at home. What you can do: Put the necessary phone numbers in your contact list now. If you can, discuss your situation with a trusted Other or with an expert on the hotline.

Source: Open Clip Art Vectors

It’s Safe to Say …

Many good people ask what they can do to help others during this crisis. The answer to that question might be: First do no harm…to yourself. And to help others, stay at home. With just a few simple adjustments, your home can become a safer space. And by keeping yourself safe and healthy, you don’t add to the load on an already overwhelmed health care system.

There are real dangers out there, dangers that you can’t control. But one of the quickest ways to reduce stress is to control what you can--and that could be your living space.

Do you have other simple ideas for a safer home? Please share in the comments.

© Meg Selig, 2020. All rights reserved. For permissions, click here.