Home Safety Tips

Article courtesy of Joe Kormos, A-1st Look Home Inspectors Inc.  Your 1st Choice in Property Inspection Professionals.

For additional informative articles please visit http://www.a-1stlookhomeinspectors.com/

For seniors, and for the rest of us!    Each year, according to estimates by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nearly one million people over age 65 are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with the products they live with and use everyday. The death rate from unintentional injuries in the home is approximately three times greater for older people than for the younger population. Specifically, there are 60 deaths per 100,000 persons 65 and older, while there are 20 deaths per 100,000 persons under 65.

Slips and falls are the main source of injury for older people in the home. CPSC recommends the use of grab-bars and non-slip mats in the bathtub, handrails on both sides of the stairs, and slip-resistant carpets and rugs. Burns occur from hot tap water and from open flame. CPSC recommends that consumers turn down the temperature of their water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent scalds. CPSC also recommends the installation and maintenance of at least one smoke detector on every floor of the home. Older consumers should consider purchasing nightwear that is flame resistant and choose garments made of tightly woven fabrics such as 100% polyester, 100% nylon, or 100% wool.   Safety For Older Consumers Home Safety Checklist   Each year, many older Americans are injured in and around their homes. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that in 1981, over 622,000 people over age 65 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with products they live with and use everyday. CPSC believes that many of these injuries result from hazards that are easy to overlook, but also easy to fix. By spotting these hazards and taking some simple steps to correct them, many injuries might be prevented. Use this checklist to spot possible safety problems which may be present in your home. Keep this checklist as a reminder of safe practices, and use it periodically to re-check your home. This checklist is organized by areas in the home. However, there are some potential hazards that need to be checked in more than just one area of your home.   We recommend that you set aside an afternoon and systematically go through your home, using this home safety checklist.
 

Joseph B Kormos is a Certified Inspector serving the Northern Illinois  area. Joe has been licensed by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations (IDPR).  He has more than 20 years experience in the real estate and construction industry and is certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI). He continues to update his yearly education and testing requirements. Visit his company website at http://www.a-1stlookhomeinspectors.com/ , or call his office at 630-201-0933 or send him an e-mail at a-1stlook@comcast.net  for more information.  

Complete Home Inspection Service for: Chicagoland, Northwest  Suburbs, South Suburbs, North Shore, South Shore, Cook County, DuPage County, Boone County, LaSalle County, Kane County, McHenry County, Winnebago County, Lake County, De Kalb County, and Gundy County.