With Christmas now just around the corner the Public Health Agency (PHA) have released the top tips for staying safe at home this holiday season.
Many people are likely to stay in the house more often over the Christmas period and each year there are approximately 14,000 hospital admissions here as a result of home accidents.
“Accidents often occur when we’re distracted and can happen alarmingly quickly,” Diane McIntyre from the PHA explained.
“So it is important that we don’t ignore the risks and instead put in place some simple steps to help reduce the likelihood of them occurring.”
The PHA cited falls as the most common accident for hospital admissions for all age groups, with the youngest and oldest demographic being especially at risk.
They advise removing tripping hazards trailing leads and loose or worn mats, as well as keeping your stairs clutter free.
Keeping your home well lit, especially when getting up in the middle of the night, is another way to ensure preventing further falls or slips.
For children, PHA advise arranging furniture in a way that prevents window access as well as checking shelving units and other large objects are secure in place to prevent them from toppling.
Carbon Monoxide is known as the ‘silent killer’ as you cannot see, smell or taste it and can come from any appliance that burns solid fuel, oil, wood or gas.
Read more
The PHA recommend checking carbon monoxide alarms and marking a date for when batteries are replaced.
They also highlighted e-cigarettes and the dangers around children, with e-cigarette liquid coming in colourful bottles with sweet smells which children are naturally attracted to.
With most liquid containing nicotine, the risk of severe effects is possible after swallowing, including seizures, entering a coma or even death
They also advised the public to never fill e-cigarettes close to children and keep liquid locked away in high cupboards or shelves.
One of the most significant dangers they highlighted at this time of year is around fire hazards, with careless disposal of smoking materials the biggest cause of accidental fires in Northern Ireland.
“Making sure cigarettes are fully extinguished in proper ash trays and never smoking in bed due to risk setting bedding alight,” they said.
“Old, faulty or damaged electric blankets are a fire hazard and best discarded. When storing electric blankets, it is advised to never fold them and instead keep flat or roll loosely.
“Look out for a third-party certification mark to ensure it meets the latest British or European safety standards.
“Treat lit candles as you would any other flame and put them on a heat-resistant surface and check they are not too close to anything that can catch fire.
“Never leave them unattended.”
Given the time of year and that many children will have more toys, the PHA highlighted the dangers of batteries.
Lithium batteries, also known as button batteries, are often found in many children’s toys and are noted as a significant danger for a child if swallowed.
They can cause serious damage to digestive systems as well as choking burning or poisoning which can lead to serious injuries and death.
The Toy Safety Regulations require toys that use button batteries to have lockable battery compartments.
Make sure to check that these are secure and undamaged and do not use toys that don’t have lockable compartments.
The PHA said if you suspect your child has swallowed a button battery, seek medical help immediately.
Ms McIntyre continued: “These steps may seem like a lot but by following them we can all do our best to keep our homes and families safe.”
The PHA commissions all 11 local councils in Northern Ireland to provide the Home Safety Check Scheme.
The scheme offers free home safety checks to homes with children aged under 5, people aged over 65 and vulnerable people.
This check offers guidance on all aspects of home safety, as well as free safety equipment