While most people tend to think of their homes as safe havens, in actuality the home is where the majority of accidents happen. Being aware of risk factors and how to stay safe is the first step to preventing accidents from occurring in the home.

The best way to do this is to stay aware of the issues in your house that can cause problems. There are some obvious safety issues that should be recognized off the bat. Make sure that any firearms that are kept in the house are locked up and separated from their ammunition. All children should be taught from an early age about the dangers of firearms, too. Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers should be placed throughout the home, especially in the bedrooms.

Portable space heaters should always be kept many feet away from any type of flammable material. They should never be left on when there is no one home, and all children and animals need to learn to stay away from them. Another safety tip is to make sure that all the doors and windows in the house have locks on them. This is not only for safety against burglars, but it can keep young children safe. If there are young children in the home, locked windows can prevent serious injury or even death from falls. Any chemicals and poisons should be locked up or placed out of the reach of children. All medications should also be kept where no child can get to them.

Some home safety awareness tips are not quite as obvious, yet they are still extremely important. Poisonous plants should be kept away from children. A first-aid kit should always be kept in the house and checked from time to time to make sure that it is completely stocked. A list of emergency phone numbers should be placed in a permanent area so that in the event of a disaster you are not scrambling for a phone number. This list should include the local police and fire department, as well as poison control. For pets, a number for a 24 hour veterinarian should also be posted.

The use of power bars and extension cords are important so as not to overload an outlet. Appliances should also be unplugged when not in use. In the bathroom, non-slip rugs and grab bars may be used to prevent falls in the shower. All stairs in the home should be kept free of any type of debris, toys, or clothes to prevent trips and falls. If there is a baby in the home, baby safety gates should be up and firmly attached at all times to the top and bottom of the stairs.

Having safety awareness means that you take the time to find hazards in your home, and then take the proper steps and precautions to eliminate them. Home safety awareness also means that you take the time to educate the importance of safe habits to other members of the household.