August 3, 2011 By: Michael Walsh

Home Safety and Planning Tips

Many of us think of accidents as dangers we encounter outside the home. Although we anticipate more trouble on a long trip, more than half of all traffic accidents occur within five miles from our homes. Inside our homes, each year about one out of 17 people will experience an accidental injury. A fatal injury occurs in the home about every 14 minutes and a disabling injury about every four seconds. The National Safety Council states that 72,600 deaths take place in homes and in the community from unintentional injuries, as well as over 20,200,000 disabling injuries, affecting 112 million households, and costing Americans over $251.9 billion.

Within the home, the kitchen is a often a place of warmth, enticing aromas and good food, even though serious accidents sometimes happen there. But those of us with limited mobility, either from age or disability, the kitchen can acquire more potential for injury.

Here are some tips that can make your kitchen safer:

• Use an electric teakettle rather than one you heat on a stove.
• Set the water-heater temperature at 120°F to prevent accidental scalding.
• Use a single-lever faucet that can adjust the water temperature.
• Provide an area away from the knife drawer and the stove where a person with limited mobility can help prepare food.
• Adapt one counter for access by wheelchair users, if appropriate.
• Use a microwave oven rather than a conventional oven whenever possible – but not if a person with a pacemaker is present.
• If possible, have the range controls on the front of the stove.
• Use a step stool, never a chair, to reach high shelves.
• To reduce the chance of falls and to avoid reaching and bending, place frequently used items at a level between the shoulders and knees.
• Rather than using extension cords to connect multiple appliances, unplug appliances after each use so they all share the outlets. Or ask an electrician to install a junction box that allows added outlets.
• Dry your hands thoroughly after they get wet for greater safety plugging or unplugging appliances and in gripping glassware, ingredient jars or other breakable objects.
• Don’t leave anything on the top of the stove. (Most home fires begin in the kitchen). The Home Safety Council recommends keeping anything flammable at least three feet from the stoves or grills.
• Using oven mitts and rolling up sleeves can prevent burns and clothing from catching fire.
• Be sure you have a portable fire extinguisher hung within easy reach of the stove, and that you – and anyone else who cooks in the kitchen – is familiar with how to use it. Check also that it has been inspected and serviced at least once a year.

In a survey by the Home Safety Council, the majority of U.S. adults (82 percent) indicated that they are very knowledgeable or somewhat knowledgeable about what they can do to make their homes safer, only one-third (36 percent) were able to name a safety action they have already taken. Still, 90 percent of seniors say they want to stay in their homes as long as possible.

Considering these safety statistics and the over 76 million Baby Boomers nearing retirement, many people are opting for a thorough assessment of there home’s safety, design and infrastructure, to support long-term planning and living in their homes. Tackling good safety practices is a good first step. Working with an age-in-place consultant, such as Higher Mobility, might be a close second.

Share your safety tips with us!

Filed under: Home Health Tips Tagged with: age-in-place assessments, Baby Boomers, Home safety, home safety council, kitchen safety