Most Common Household Hazards And How To Avoid Them

The home is supposed to be a safe haven, but sometimes it can be full of hidden dangers. There are many potential hazards in the home that can cause harm to you and your family. Some of these hazards are easy to spot and avoid, while others may not be so obvious. It’s important to be aware of the potential dangers in your home and take steps to prevent them.

Seven types of common household hazards:

The seven types of health hazards that are common in households are-

1.Biological hazards

Biological hazards include mold, mildew, dust mites and bacteria. These can cause respiratory problems, skin infections and allergic reactions. 

2.Chemical hazards

Chemical hazards include cleaning products, insecticides and pool chemicals. These can cause skin irritation, burns and poisoning. 

3.Radiological hazards 

Radiological hazards include ionizing radiation from sources such as X-ray machines or radioactive materials. Exposure to high levels of radiation can cause cancer or other health problems. 

4.Electrical hazards

Electrical hazards include exposed wires or faulty electrical outlets. These can cause shocks or fires. 

5.Fire hazards

Fire hazards include flammable liquids or materials such as candles or cigarettes. 

6. Gas hazards

Gas leaks are another type of fire hazard that can be caused by faulty appliances or pipes.

7. Physical hazards

Physical hazards include trip hazards such as loose rugs or stairs without handrails. These can cause injuries from falls.

Each type of hazard poses a different risk to occupants and requires different safety precautions. 

How to avoid common household hazards? 

There are seven types of hazards in the home: biological, chemical, physical, radiological, electrical, fire and gas. But slip, falls, fire hazards and poisoning is most common.  Here’s some tips to prevent them from happening :

Slips, trips and falls – These are one of the most common types of accidents in the home and can occur when you least expect it. To avoid these, make sure to keep your home clean and tidy, free from clutter and trip hazards. Always wear appropriate footwear when walking around your home and take care when using stairs or stepping onto uneven surfaces. Water leaks from bottom of toilet can also cause slip and fall accidents. 

Burns and scalds – These can often be caused by hot drinks or food, faulty electrical equipment or open flames. To avoid burns and scalds, always use caution when handling hot items, keep electrical equipment in good working order and never leave lit candles unattended. 

Poisoning – This can happen easily if harmful chemicals or substances are not stored properly out of reach of children or pets. It’s also important to be aware of the symptoms of poisoning so that you can seek medical help immediately if someone ingests something they shouldn’t have.

Fire – Fires in the home are often caused by smoking materials, cooking mishaps or faulty electrical wiring. To reduce the risk of fire in your home, never smoke indoors, practice safe cooking habits and have any electrical work carried out by a qualified professional. Make sure you also have working smoke alarms fitted on every level of your property.