Safety awareness is an inherent element in any healthy home. It comes easily to some people, not so easily to others. It may take some exercising, but it's well worth the effort. Once safety awareness is developed and practiced in the home daily, it becomes an easy task to instill in children. Knowing the hazards, practicing prevention, and passing knowledge on to the next generation is what a healthy home is all about.
DEVELOPING SAFETY AWARENESS
What can you do to prevent accidents at home? The first step is practicing conscious safety awareness.
Take Your Time
People in a hurry have more accidents. Whenever you're about to embark on a task, slow down. Think it through. What are the dangers? What shape is your equipment in? Does anything need to be repaired or replaced? If so, do that first. If you don't have time to do a job safely and thoroughly, wait until another day.
Assess the Hazards Realistically
Why go into a potentially dangerous task with blinders on? Take off those rose-colored glasses. Your safety is up to you and you alone. If you get hurt, chances are it's your fault--no one else's. Most accidents are preventable. Adopt that attitude from the outset, and keep it uppermost in your mind.
Cultivate Safety Daily
Don't use power tools, knives, or ladders or work with glass when you're angry, tired, or have had a few beers. If you're tired after a hard day at work, sit down, put your feet up, and relax for a few minutes. Don't do anything but relax when you're sleepy.
Think! Pay Attention, Plan
Use your mind. For example, if you get a slight shock when using your toaster, don't use it again as if nothing happened. You don't need to be an electrician to know that something is amiss. Unplug it. Take it to a repair shop. Don't wait for the shock to become more severe.
