What are the biggest safety risks in the average home?

Although home might be your sanctuary, there could be safety risks hidden in plain sight.

Here are some of the biggest safety hazards in the average home–and how you can avoid them.

Slips and falls

Slips and falls may not sound too serious, but they can result in broken bones, head injuries, severe bruising and more. To prevent this hazard in your home, install handrails on all staircases, fix rugs to the floors so they do not bunch up or slide, and keep floors clear of debris that could trip someone up. Also be prepared to deal with the weather by having non-slip mats, rock salt and shovels on hand.

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide is often called a silent killer. Various household appliances could emit the gas, and it can only be detected by special equipment since it is colorless and odorless. Keep up on maintenance of your household appliances and install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home.

Poisoning

About two million poisoning accidents occur every year in the United States. Many of these cases involve children, but poisonous substances are also regularly ingested by pets and accidentally used improperly by adults. To reduce the risk of poisoning, store hazardous substances properly and in secure locations.

Burns

Burns are household hazards that easily strike people of all ages. Children often touch items they don’t realize can hurt them and adults can be burned while cooking. Some burns even occur unexpectedly when unloading the dishwasher. To reduce the chances of burns occurring, use the back burners on your stove whenever possible, and if you can, lock your dishwasher until it has cooled down.