The statistics are in and again the safest place to be is at work.  The number of lost workdays and recordables are decreasing.  The number or significant worker injuries and deaths are slightly higher.

The real increases are coming in 2 areas, on-the-road vehicle incidents and at home.  I have talked about vehicle safety previously, so let’s talk a little about home safety.

The Home Safety Council has a wonderful checklist which, you can share with your employees.

Hands on Home Safety Checklist
Our homes – Our families – Our safety
What could be more precious? Yet each year, homes are where nearly 21 million family members suffer injuries that could have been prevented.
The Home Safety Council wants your family to be safe from injuries. Take a hands-on approach to injury prevention in your home. Follow the safety checklist to help your loved ones avoid getting hurt, especially from the three most common causes of home injuries:
• falls
• poisoning
• fire and burns.
Falls Prevention
Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury in the home.  How you can stay safer:

• Use bright lights at the top and bottom of stairs and make sure hallways and dark areas in the home are well-lit at night with nightlights.
• Install grab bars in the tub, shower and near toilets.
• Use a rubber bath mat or non-slip strips in the tub.
• Wipe up spills and splashed bathwater promptly.
• All stairs and steps need handrails along both sides, secured along the full length of the stairway.
• Keep stairs and pathways clear of clutter.
• In homes with babies and toddlers, use baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs.

Fire & Burn Prevention
Fifty-seven percent of fire and burn-related injuries occur in the home.  You can protect your family:

• Check the setting of your water heater and make sure it’s set no higher than 120 degrees F.
• Install smoke alarms on each level of your home—especially in or near sleeping areas.
• Test each smoke alarm every month by pushing the test button until you hear a loud noise.
• Replace smoke alarm batteries with new ones at least once each year.
• Know how to escape a fire. Find two exits out of every room – the door and possibly a window. Choose an outside meeting place in front of the home. Practice your plan twice a year with all members of the family.
• Stay in the kitchen while food is cooking on the stove.
• Be sure to lock matches and lighters away from children.

Poisoning Prevention
More than two-thirds of homes with young children report that household chemicals (e.g. cleaners, bleach or kerosene) are stored in unlocked places.  Every family can take steps to prevent a poisoning injury.
 

• Know the national poison control center toll-free number–1-800-222-1222 — and keep the number by every phone in the home.
• Look around your home—under the sink, in the garage—for cleaning products and automotive fluids that say “Caution”, “Warning” or “Danger” on the label. Store these away from food, in locked cabinets out of sight and reach of children.
• Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poison you can’t see, smell or taste. CO is produced by fuel-burning appliances and equipment in your home. These need proper maintenance for safe use. Also install a carbon monoxide detector to alert you if the CO level becomes unsafe.
• Install child locks on all cabinets—especially where potentially harmful items are stored.
• Be sure cleaning products and other household substances have child-resistant closures.
• Keep all medicines and vitamins in original containers in a secure area—away from children.
• Store dangerous chemicals such as pesticides, automotive fluids and paint thinner in a secure locked cabinet.
• Always store gasoline in an approved container.

Take the time to check out your home hazards.  These people are the most precious possessions you have.