It's no secret that accidents happen. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for people ages 1 to 44 in the United States. While many accidents are unavoidable, you can take steps to reduce your risk of being injured in and around your home. This blog post will discuss seven common accidents that can occur in and around your home and how you can prevent them!

1. Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 379 children younger than 15 drown in swimming pools yearly. In addition, thousands of children are injured annually in pool- and hot tub-related accidents. In addition, electrocution is a considerable risk with having a swimming pool or hot tub. So while swimming pools and hot tubs can be great fun for the whole family, it is essential to take precautions to ensure everyone's safety.

Here are some tips to help prevent accidents in and around swimming pools and hot tubs:

- Always supervise children when they are near water. Designate a responsible adult to watch children in or near the pool or hot tub.

- Keep rescue equipment (such as a life preserver or ring buoy) near the pool or hot tub.

- Install a fence at least 4 feet high around the pool or hot tub perimeter. The fence should lock self-closing and self-latching gates when the pool or hot tub is not in use.

- Keep the area around the pool or hot tub clear of toys, lawn chairs, and other objects that children might use to climb over the fence.

- Never leave a child unattended in a pool or hot tub, even for a minute.

- Make sure everyone in your family knows how to swim. Enroll everyone in swimming lessons if necessary.

- Do not allow diving in pools or hot tubs less than 9 feet deep.

-Make sure to have electricidal expectations done regularly to detect and prevent electrical hazards.

2. Falls

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of accidental injury in the United States. More than 8 million people annually visit the emergency room due to falls. While falling is a common occurrence, there are steps you can take to prevent serious injuries from happening.

Here are some tips to help prevent falls in and around your home:

- Install handrails on all staircases in your home.

- Keep stairways clear of clutter and tripping hazards.

- Wear shoes that have good traction to help prevent slipping.

- Use a step stool or ladder instead of standing on chairs or other unstable surfaces when reaching for something high.

- Keep your home well-lit, both inside and out.

- Install night lights in hallways and bathrooms.

- Make sure area rugs and floor mats have slip-resistant backing.

- Use non-slip mats in the bathtub or shower.

3. Choking

Choking is a common cause of accidental injury, especially in children. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, choking is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4 years old. Choking can happen when someone inhales a foreign object into their lungs, blocking their airway.

Here are some tips to help prevent choking in and around your home:

- Keep small objects out of reach of children.

- Do not give young children hard candies or gum.

- Supervise children when they are eating.

- Cut food into small pieces for young children.

- Avoid giving children toys with small parts.

4. Burns

Burn injuries are common, especially in children. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 2,500 children under 18 years old visit the emergency room each year due to burn injuries.

Here are some tips to help prevent burns in and around your home:

- Never leave candles unattended. Extinguish all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.

- Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.

- Use flashlights instead of candles during power outages.

- Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.

- Turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove.

- Keep children away from the stove.

- Use caution when using space heaters. Place them on a level, non-flammable surface and keep them away from flammable objects, such as curtains or furniture.

- Never leave children alone in a room with a space heater.

- Don't overload electrical outlets. Use only one appliance per outlet.

- Unplug electrical appliances when not in use.

- Do not place cords under rugs or furniture.

- Repair or replace any electrical appliance that is damaged or malfunctioning.

5. Poisoning

Poisoning is a common cause of accidental injury, especially in children. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 2 million poisonings are reported each year in the United States.

Here are some tips to help prevent poisoning in and around your home:

- Keep all chemicals and cleaning products out of reach of children.

- Store products in their original containers with the labels intact.

- Do not put cleaning products or chemicals in food or drink containers.

- Never mix cleaning products.

- Dispose of unused or unwanted products properly.

- Use caution when using pesticides. Follow the directions on the label carefully.

- Keep all medications out of reach of children.

- Store medications in their original containers with the labels intact.

- Never put medication in food or drink containers.

- Dispose of unused or unwanted medications properly.

- Do not share your medication with others.

6. Driveway Accidents

Driveway accidents are a common cause of accidental injury, especially in children. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, thousands of children are injured each year in driveway accidents. In addition, there is a car accident case involving a child reported daily.

Here are some tips to help prevent driveway accidents in and around your home:

- Always look for children before backing out of a driveway or parking space.

- Teach children never to play in or around vehicles.

- Keep all doors and windows locked when the vehicle is not in use.

- Do not leave keys within reach of children.

- Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, even for a moment.

- Be extra cautious when backing up, especially if you have large vehicles, such as SUVs or trucks.

- Consider installing a driveway gate to keep children and pets safely away from the street.

The best safety tip to add here is that last one: speaking to a gate installer is a good option here as they’ll be able to walk you through the best gate options for your particular driveway. You could install one yourself but it’s always better to ensure that you’re compliant with your safety.

7. Cuts and Lacerations

Cuts and lacerations are common, especially in children. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4 million people visit the emergency room each year due to cuts and lacerations.

Here are some tips to help prevent cuts and lacerations in and around your home:

- Keep all knives and other sharp objects out of reach of children.

- Store knives and other sharp objects safely, such as a drawer or cabinet.

- Do not leave knives or other sharp objects on counters or tables.

- Never try to catch a falling knife.

- Do not run with knives or other sharp objects.

- Dispose of broken glass immediately.

- Do not try to pick up broken glass with your bare hands.

The Bottom Line

Accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. But there are things you can do to help prevent accidents in and around your home. Following the tips listed above can create a safer environment for your family and help reduce the risk of accidental injury.