BEFORE IT HAPPENS: SIMPLE SECRETS TO PREVENTING HOUSEHOLD ACCIDENTS AND SAVING LIVES
Our homes should be our sanctuary – a place of growth, comfort and rest. Maintaining this environment requires us to be mindful of the risks that exist in the routines we have daily.
By prioritizing safety and accident prevention, we don’t just protect our physical health, we create a foundation of security which allows us to focus on our relationships and goals. Safe living is built on three pillars.
Prevention: removing dangers(hazards) before they cause harm. Remember that “prevention is always better than cure”
Preparedness: maintaining the knowledge and supplies required to provide an immediate, effective first aid.
Many common household items are essential for the daily living but have significant risks if handled or stored in the wrong manner. In Kenya, some items that may appear harmless may later be the source where injuries came from. This means that extreme precautions must be taken and carefulness at all times is critical for avoidance of these injuries. The common dangerous household items include;
Organization: storing tools, chemicals, and medicines safely and properly.
| category | Example of items | Associated risk |
| chemicals | Cleaning agents(bleach and detergents), pesticides, kerosene, fertilizers | Poisoning when ingested Burns to skin , eyes and cause respiratory distress Fire hazards |
| Sharp objects | Kitchen knives, scissors, glass, blender blades, jembes and pangas, forks, nails. | Deep cuts, lacerations(irregular open wounds) and puncture wounds potential for infections, |
| medicines | Prescriptions drugs, painkillers, vitamins, supplements Veterinary medicine products | Accidental overdose, poisoning (especially in children) Dangerous side effects when misused Unwanted effects in humans. |
| Electronics/tools | Power drills, saws, loose power cords, space heaters | Electric shocks, fire, crush injuries, deep lacerations or even amputation(loss of parts of the body) |
| Small objects | Button batteries, magnets, small toy parts | Choking, internal chemical burns if batteries are swallowed can damage the intestines. |
Because of the above risks, the dangerous items above should be stored safely. In a home, avoid transferring products into attractive containers (like glass jars or plastic containers) as this removes the vital safety warnings and confuses others.
Safe storage practices.
Chemicals and cleaners; store these at waist level or lower to avoid spills over your heads, but always behind a locked door. Never store them under a sink especially if young children have access to the area. Always keep them out of children’s reach.
Medicine; keep all medication in a dedicated, locker box or cabinet. Avoid storing them in a bathroom because humidity can cause them to expire faster. Do not forget to return them to the cabinets and lockers after use.
Tools; always disconnect power tools after use. Store sharp tools in a dedicated toolbox or a wall rack that is high up. Having a storage room is also a good idea for storing these tools. The rooms should be well lit and neatly organized.
Dangerous waste; when disposing expired chemicals or medicines that are expired, do not pour them down the drain or into the soil. Take them to a medical facility or the local waste collection point if available.
Proactive safety measures.
Inventory check; regularly audit your cupboards and stores. If a product is expired or no longer needed, dispose of it safely.
Safety audit; observe your home from a child’s point of view or from a perspective of a person with reduced mobility. Are there loose cables that they might trip over? How easy is it to access sharp knives? Where do we store the hammers, the drills and the nails?
Emergency preparedness; keep the contact number of the nearest poison control center or an emergency medical service saved in your phone. Ensure everyone in the house knows where the first aid kit is kept.
FIRST AID RESPONSE
Managing household safety is essential for any home. Common accidents at home and their first aid response include:
- Cuts and scrapes: the priority is to stop blood loss and prevent shock(state where the organs will receive less to no blood).
Use a sterile dressing(free contamination) or the cleanest cloth available to apply firm continuous pressure directly over the wound. Do not lift the cloth to check if bleeding has stopped.
If the wound is on a limb, raise it above the level of the heart to utilize gravity to decrease blood pressure at the site.
If the wound is deep e.g. a severe laceration, gently pack the wound with a clean gauze and apply pressure on top of it. Never apply tourniquet (compressing device applied to stop blood flow) unless you are trained.
2. Burns and scalds; the goal here is to stop burning process and prevent infection.
Use cool, running tap water for 10 to 20 minutes. Do not use ice since it causes blood vessels to constrict that reduces blood flow to the damaged tissue. Do not break blisters formed as they are the body’s natural sterile dressing. Cover the burn loosely with clean, non-sticky gauze.
3. Sprains and strains; use the R.I.C.E method. The aim here is to make the area as still as possible to prevent further damage to the nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue.
By keeping the area immobile, do not attempt to straighten a bone that looks deformed. Leave that area as you found it. Then check for pain, pallor (color), pulseless, tingling or numbness and paralysis. If these signs are present, the injury is a medical emergency requiring urgent professional transport.
4. Chocking; when airways are blocked, the goal is to create enough pressure to remove foreign object causing obstruction.
If patient is conscious, lean the person forward and deliver sharp blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. You can then stand behind the person, wrap arms around their waist and make a fist above the navel and pull inward and upward sharply(Heimlich maneuver). If the patient is unconscious, lower them to the ground and begin CPR (Cardio pulmonary resuscitation) check the mouth before rescue breaths, but only extract the object when it is clearly visible and easy to remove.
5, bruises; the goal is to limit the spread of internal bleeding and manage the inflammatory response (the swelling, the pain, the warmth, the; loss of function and redness (erythema)
Stop activity that caused the bruising, apply a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in thin towel for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. If the bruise is on a limb, and swelling is significant, use an elastic bandage to provide light compression which will help minimize further bleeding into the tissue. Keep the bruised area elevated above the level of the heart if possible. Gravity helps drain excess fluids away from the site, reducing throbbing and swelling.
6. Poisoning: the aim is to prevent the poison from being absorbed into circulation and thus spreading.
If ingested poison, call a poison control immediately. If the patient is conscious and alert, instruct them to drink small amounts of water or milk. Do not force vomiting for if it is a corrosive substance, it will cause more damage on the way up.
If inhaled, get the person to a place with fresh air immediately. Be careful if the air is toxic such as in fire carbon dioxide toxicity or carbon monoxide poisoning from burning jiko so that you do not become a victim yourself. Enter the room with proper gowning or protective equipment.
Essential items for a first aid kit.
Wound care and dressings.
Adhesive bandages (plasters). Used for covering small cuts, scrapes or blisters to keep them clean and protected.
Sterile gauze pads. Used to clean wounds, absorb blood and control bleeding for larger injuries.
Adhesive tape. Used to secure gauze pads and other dressings in place.
Elastic (compression) bandage. It is important for wrapping sprains or strains to provide support and reduce swelling.
Cleaning and disinfection.
Antiseptic wipes/solutions. Used to clean skin around the wounds and prevent infection.
Sterile eye wash. Used on the eye to remove grit, dust or chemicals that are challenges for proper eyesight.
Disposable gloves. Essential for protecting both the first aider and the injured person from contamination and the spread of infection.
Instruments.
Scissors. Used for cutting tapes, gauze or clothing to expose an injury
Tweezers. These serve an important function in the removal of splinters, insect stingers, lodged thorns and nails, or other small foreign objects.
Thermometer. Used to monitor body temperatures and can help detect fever and hypothermia(low body temperatures)
Medications and topical treatments.
Pain relievers. Over the counter medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen(brufen) for managing pain and fever.
Antiseptic or antibiotic cream. Applied to minor wounds to prevent infections
Antihistamine cream or tablets (e.g. piriton). To treat allergic reactions, itchy rashes or insect stings
Calamine lotion that soothes skin irritation from rashes or insect bites.
Emergency essentials
Instant cold pack. Provides immediate cold to reduce swelling and pain from sprains or minor burns.
First aid manual. A critical reference guide that provides instructions on how to handle various injuries.
Emergency contact list. Keep a list of all local emergency services and poison control centers
Safety tips
Accessibility. Keep your first aid kit in a central, easily accessible locations, but ensure it is out of reach of young children.
Maintenance. Check your kit every few months, replace any expired medications, solutions or used items.
Prevention. Label all cleaning supplies and medicines clearly. Keep hazardous items like bleach, kerosene and sharp items locked away.
