Home Security Measures Against the Most Common Accidental Deaths

Children are taught from an early age that the real dangers in life lurk somewhere outside the home.
While teaching "stranger danger" is of course important, and it's healthy for children to be wary of the dangers out there in the great big world, it's also important that the whole family be aware of the dangers that lie right within their own four walls.
In fact, thousands of deaths each year, as well as millions of hospital visits can be directly blamed on accidents that happen around the house.
While many families are busy installing home security systems to protect from intruders, others are busy layering their home security to include the everyday stuff as well.
Here are the top causes of death due to accidents in and around the home, and what you can do about it.
Falls.
It is quite common for people to climb for items, work up on the roof of the house, take the stairs a little too quickly or commit a number of grave errors while not paying attention.
In order to best prevent deadly falls around the home, all family members must be aware of the risks and know to proceed slowly and carefully at all times.
In order to prevent disaster should an accident like a fall occur anyway, it is best to be prepared.
Some of the top ways to prevent deadly falls include installing railings on both sides of all stairs, providing adequate lighting all around the house, utilizing safety ladders to reach high up objects at all times, placing slip proof rugs or textured flooring in areas like the bathroom and kitchen, and more.
Poisoning.
It is a tragedy when a family member is killed by poisoning, and even more tragic that this is 100% preventable in most cases.
In order to keep the wrong family members from inadvertently consuming toxic materials keep all chemicals, cleaning products, and other dangerous substances like prescription medications under lock and key.
Don't just think about the items in the bathroom and kitchen, but those in places like the attic, basement, garage and garden shed too.
Fire.
Fire is the number one fear behind a break in on most people's list of home security concerns.
Instead of just hoping a fire doesn't happen to you, take measures to ensure your family's chance of survival like forming an escape plan, checking the batteries regularly on smoke detectors placed throughout the house, and providing means of escaping from upper story windows like safety ladders.
If you have a monitored home security system ask about fire protection.
Chocking/ Suffocating.
Most people have experienced a situation in which they "nearly" choked.
This can be especially scary when alone.
Always be up to date on Heimlich maneuver procedures, and keep items like plastic bags out of the reach of small children to prevent suffocation.
Drowning.
It is always tragic when a family member passes away, but a drowning is often a huge shock, especially when the person drowns in a very small amount of water that nobody considered a threat.
Remember a person can drown in as little as six inches of water, and try to eliminate standing water in and around the house.
Always keep pools and hot tubs fenced in and locked, and never leave small children in the tub alone even for a split second.