In rapidly advancing countries dangers in the home increase with the growing use of machines of all kinds for housework. Cooking, heating, and lighting, of whatever kind, will always be a source of danger in the home for all who are careless.
Many Countries have no figures relating to the number of home accidents which occur. From the few figures that are available, one thing is very clear: not only do people die, but those that are injured lose many valuable working days, and this loss in work for any industry or service is of very great importance to the country as a whole.
Schoolchildren also form a group who suffer from home accidents (especially boys) and this results in a number of lost school days.
There are many kinds of home accidents
1. Falls
Flows that are uneven, highly polished, contain holes, are covered with spilt greasy food, or have things left carelessly lying around, such as children's toys, can cause accidents. Poor lighting on stairs or steps outside the house causes many bad falls in the dark. Damaged furniture or ladders for doing household jobs, and badly fitting shoes can al cause falls. Old torn floor coverings coverings like mats and carpets can trip people, causing injury.
2. Fire
This can be caused by many things - homemade and other lamps, unguarded fires that children can roll into or play with, candles, naked lights of all kinds. Gas apparatus is becoming more common in rural areas now that people can obtain cylinders of gas. Electrical appliances of all kinds bring dangers which are often misunderstood, and death and injury can result from amateur repairs, exposed worn wires, or contact with water. Matches and cigarette ends not put out properly, or people falling asleep while smoking are other causes of fire accident. The simple fire made on the floor of a kitchen is a frequent source of burns in children.
Scalding is common, due to unsafe cooking pots and kettles, and containers of steaming food. Tablecloths which children can pull on may throw hot liquids on a child causing a fatal accident. Hot water in baths (especially metal ones) or tin basins cause many bad scalds.
3. Drowning
This can occur in many home situations often in very small amounts of water. Baths, ponds, pit latrines, wells, water tanks, are all possible sources of danger for a child or an epileptic.
4. Poisoning
Kerosene put into attractive bottles is a common source of poisoning as are also many kinds of household disinfectant. Detergents and cleaning fluids like petrol and carbon tetrachloride are dangerous, and so are the brightly packed aerosol insecticides. Medicines are a common source of poisoning - lotions, liquid medicine, and pills in bright colours attract children. Expecially dangerous for children are antihistamines, aspirin, Daraprim, ferrous sulphate, sleeping tablets, and liniments.
5. Gases
Fumes from charcoal fires, oil stoves in badly ventilated rooms, cars in closed garages, can all cause death from carbon monoxide poisoning. Infants and young children can choke on hard food, or become asphyxiated in plastic clothing or when playing with plastic bags.
6. Firearms, tools, and sharp instruments causes dangerous home accident.
Every household has its own particular hazard in this way. Kitchen implements for cooking, gardening tools, and those in the home workshop for all kinds of household purposes. Broken glass is a constant danger to all, especially where people normally go barefoot. Guns and rifles can be left carelessly around by people whose occupation entails their use - game guards, veterinary officers, police, and army personnel.
Accidents are associated with a number of things
1. Ignorance of the dangers of certain situations and equipment.
2. Complacency - the "it connot happen to me" attitude.
3. Carelessness.
4. Poor living conditions - overcrowding, poor lighting, poor cooking and heating apparatus and untidiness.
5. Ill-health with consequent lack of physical and mental coordination, emotional stress or extreme fatigue.
