If you are not careful, you can hurt yourself around the house accidentally, so here are some tips to make you safer while you are in the safety of your home

OUR home is a place where we feel safe, secure and surrounded by things and faces familiar to us. But sometimes we hurt ourselves around the house accidentally while we play or are just going around doing our daily routine.

Studies tell us that accidents commonly occur in the living or dining room areas but the most serious accidents happen in the kitchen and on the stairs. Most of these accidents can be easily prevented if we are careful. Keeping ourselves and our homes safe is not just our parents’ duty but ours too. So let’s see what are the most common accidents that occur in homes and how they can be averted.

Where’s the fire?

A small fire looks nice if it is under the pan in which your mum is cooking your favorite dish. However, you should never underestimate the devastating power of domestic fire. It can spread very quickly, get out of control and cause a great deal of damage in a very small amount of time. I am sure you know that children are not supposed to play with matches or lighters. If you have to conduct a science experiment involving matches or candles at home, ask an older brother, sister or your parents to help you. Never leave candles burning when you’re going out of a room or are about to sleep.

In winter, heaters are used in most households. Do not poke at the rods with sharp objects or put clothes, toys, papers or blankets on top of the heaters.

Watch out for creepy crawlies

Insect bites can be very painful. You should not leave food stuff on the floor where it can attract ants, cockroaches or rodents. Clean your room regularly to keep out spiders and lizards.

If you spill something sweet, clean it up at once. Never touch any strange insect with your bare hands. If one finds its way into your home, use a piece of cardboard or broom to dispose it off, or draw the attention of an adult towards it.

Don’t get shocked!

Electric switches, wires and sockets are not something that should ever be taken lightly. You should never insert metallic objects in open sockets or touch them when your hands are wet. When you insert a plug in the socket, the button should be switched off.

Toddlers like to chew plastic wires so if you have a younger sibling in the house, be very careful to tie up any wires that operate your appliances.

Do not use one extension for too many plugs otherwise it may heat up and melt. When not in use, it is best to pull the plugs out of the sockets. Check the cords of your lamps, computers and mobile phone chargers regularly. If they are frayed or damaged, alert your parents at once.

Look out for sharp objects

You might see your mum or grandmother work with scissors, needles, knives and other sharp objects every day. It does not, however, mean that they are safe to play with.

You should never carry a sharp item facing you. The blade or the tip should be pointed outwards. Also, never run while you are carrying scissors, knives or glass items. Even if you are in a hurry, always slow down and be careful.

All fall down

Toys, pillows, roller skates and other stuff should never be left lying around on the floor or on stairs. Other people in the house might not know and trip over them, which can cause them a lot of pain.

It is a matter of common sense not to hang down from balconies or jump from high chairs, beds and other furniture.

Putting things up the nose

Have you ever put small objects like peas, beads, pebbles or M&Ms up your nose? Or stuck your pencil or any other thing in your ear?

Bad habits like these can take you to the emergency room of a hospital and cause much pain and anguish.

What’s that funny taste?

There are many dangerous and poisonous things that are commonly used in homes to get rid of germs, bacteria, insects and stains. Never try to taste anything that is not meant for eating.

If a household cleaning agent spills on your hands, wash them thoroughly. Taking wrong dosage of a medicine, eating pills that are not meant for you or ingesting things like shampoo, detergents, your mother’s cosmetics and your dad’s perfume are also big mistakes. I am sure you are smart enough to know this but keep an eye on the young ones.

Choking

How many times have your parents told you not to eat, drink and talk at the same time? If you talk, laugh or do goofy stuff while eating and drinking, the food that is meant to go down the food pipe can go down the wind-pipe, causing you to choke, cough badly and have trouble breathing.

You have to be extra careful while eating things like carrots, nuts, pop-corns, small candies and macaroni. Never put small things like coins, round batteries and small parts of toys in your mouth.

Other stuff to know

• If you see your younger sibling playing with matches or candles and he or she does not listen to you, get your mum or any other adult right away.

• After playtime, make sure that there are no small objects scattered on the floor where younger children can find them.

• Never dare your young brother, sister or cousin to do anything dangerous. What may not look like big distance or much height to you can be very dangerous for them.

• Any liquid or food spilled on the floor should be mopped up immediately to avoid slips and falls.

When Tom and Jerry chase each other around the house and fall, tumble and get banged up, they look cute and funny but in real life there is nothing amusing about getting a bump on the head or falling down the stairs. Remember your life and health are great blessings so take care because you are worth it!