Keeping your home safe is important but there might still be some hidden hazards you weren’t aware of.

Home is where the heart is so ensuring that we’re safe in our own home should be of great importance. Rudimentary things like keeping debris like broken glass out of your compound and making sure there’s no standing water for mosquitoes to breed. That’s just the outside but there’re other hazards in your home that you may not know of.

1. Clothing Hampers

Clothing hampers are a great way to have your laundry in one place before or after you do your laundry. However, for people with little ones in their home, do take note. Sometimes, the material may tear and the wire could come loose and injure your child.

Tip: Get a sturdier laundry basket such as shown above instead of a plastic one. It’s environmentally friendly and safer than the ones made from wire.

2. Magnets

Having notes on your fridge could help with grocery lists, bills that need to be paid or even just spice up your fridge. However, magnets that are too small could pose a choking hazard to small children and pets.

Tip: Use magnets that are larger or bulkier to prevent your child or pet swallowing and choking on them.

3. Unattended Prescription Drugs

Always store your medications in a cupboard or shelf where children won’t be able to see or reach. Children may mistake the pills’ shape and colour for candy and ingest them, accidentally poisoning themselves.

Tip: If your child has accidentally ingested something they’re not meant to, do immediately call the nearest hospital or emergency hotline in your respective countries/areas.

4. Flat Screen TVs

With televisions becoming smaller and slimmer, risks of toppling and crushing children have increased. Due to screens becoming larger but slimmer, sitting on narrow bases could cause serious head and neck injuries in children especially if they’re not supervised.

Tip: Ensure that your television set is securely supported on a sturdy stand or well anchored to the wall.

5. Cleaning Products

Where and how you store your cleaning products could make a huge difference in the safety of the people and animals who live with you. It is important to store hazardous chemicals such as pesticides properly because they can be absorbed through your skin. Additionally, bleach can cause chemical burns upon contact.

Tip: Always read the labels and never mix your cleaners together as there might be a chemical reaction that may create noxious gases. Do not decant any of your cleaning products and leave them in their original packaging. Additionally, lock and secure cupboards that contain your cleaning products to prevent children and pets from getting to them.