Safety matters at home

What would you say is the most dangerous place that you know?

OK, let me make it easier for you to answer.

What would you say is the most dangerous place in your community? A lot of people might say that the local highway at peak hour was pretty scary and unpredictable.

Some of you might have guessed that a polluted waterway with its unknown depths and germ-riddled water can kill.

Others may have said anywhere that a child who is unsupervised is a major cause for concern.

And, all of these answers are correct to a degree, but the most dangerous place in your community is your own home.

The saying 'As safe as houses' was probably coined by someone who lived without children, electrical appliances, power tools, cleaning chemicals, a swimming pool and knives in the kitchen drawer. Hospitals around the world report that the most common place that injuries occur is in the home. And the casualties are not always small children.

It is debatable whether or not all accidents can be prevented. There are, however, some ideas that people can put into place to help prevent mishaps, and step one is to look at just who is occupying the residence.

People who are less mobile than others will have a tough time walking up and down steep stairs and for everybody's sake, the floors in the whole house will need to be non-slip.

Falling down stairs can kill due to the high impact nature of the accident. You must use your common sense also when carrying things up and down stairs and mop up all spills right away.

The kitchen is rife for witnessing a multitude of accidents. A friend of mine bears the scars of pulling on a saucepan handle when he was three-years-old, and the scalding soup in the pot ended up on his shoulder that day instead of in the soup bowl.

Turn all saucepan handles away from the edge of the stove, but not over another hotplate that is switched on.

Do not leave cooking implements in the saucepan and use oven gloves where appropriate - not a tea towel that can catch fire.

At no time should children be allowed near an employed stove and when cooking, keep the area clean, clear and keep a fire extinguisher under your sink.

Speaking of under the sink, chemicals here and children do not mix. Invest in a lock for the cupboard door or store chemicals high up in another place.

All bottles of chemicals should be in good condition and in their original bottle with clear labels. Keep plastic bags together, dry and away from bottles of chemicals.

Always use rubber gloves to handle these bottles and follow all instructions on the label. I don't have to tell you that it gets very hot in Bahrain. Make sure that the high temperature is withstood by the chemical - keeping in mind that under the sink, it is also exposed to the heat of the sink when, for example, you are washing up.

In the bathroom, slippery surfaces, hot water and lots of porcelain can mean a trip to the hospital faster than you can say 'Who used the last of the conditioner?'

Bathrooms should be kept scrupulously clean and the plumbing in perfect condition. Did you know that spores from bathroom mould can break away, float in the air and can be breathed in? Nasty stuff. So, it also pays to keep the bathroom dry as much as possible and well-ventilated.

All medicines should not be kept in the bathroom in my opinion - they should be locked away, or at least hidden, in the bedroom of the adults of the house. When children are home, these bedroom doors must be closed and locked.

Remember too, if the actual drug in the medicine doesn't harm the child, the risk of choking is very high if pills are swallowed and this leads to death quickly due to a lack of oxygen reaching the brain.

Any sharp implements, whether it is knives, nails or a razor, should be stored accordingly and away from inexperienced hands.

Take care everybody. Use your common sense and stay safe!