How Safe is Your Home from Hidden Hazards?

Most people feel safest at home.  It’s where you probably spend most of your time, and you don’t have to worry about auto accidents, workplace injuries, unsafe truck drivers, or irate drivers when you’re safely tucked away at home.  Just don’t let the comfort of home lull you into a false sense of security.  We can all benefit from a few reminders about what to keep an eye out for at home.

The statistics for at-home injuries from dangerous products are actually pretty shocking.  The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that every year 33.1 million Americans are injured at home from dangerous consumer products.  Some of these dangerous products are known issues that the CPSC has been working hard to educate consumers about, while others are new products that present new and unknown dangers.  With the ever-increasing number of products and technologies available to consumers, the CPSC has its work cut out keeping up with recalls and injury reports.

In order to promote awareness about home hazards that most people overlook, the CPSC maintains a list of Top 5 Hidden Home Hazards.  This list is intended to educate consumers about potential dangers in their home that can be avoided with little effort.  Just imagine how it would feel to know that a tragedy could have been prevented!  You’ll probably be surprised to find out how many little dangers are lurking in your home, so check out this list and then see if you can find ways to make your house a little safer.

Top 5 Hidden Home Hazards

The CPSC selected these hazards because they cause death and injury to Americans, many of which can be prevented if consumers know what to look for.

1. Magnets.  Since 2005, magnets have killed 1 person, injured 86 more, and have resulted in the recall of 8 million magnetic toys.  According to the CPSC, rare-earth magnets can be very small and powerful making them popular in toys, building sets, and jewelry. As the number of products with magnets has increased, so has the number of serious injuries to children. In several hundred incidents, magnets have fallen out of various toys and been swallowed by children. Small intact pieces of building sets that contain magnets have also been swallowed by children. If two or more magnets, or a magnet and another metal object are swallowed separately, they can attract to one another through intestinal walls and get trapped in place. The injury is hard to diagnose. Parents and physicians may think that the materials will pass through the child without consequence, but magnets can attract in the body and twist or pinch the intestines, causing holes, blockages, infection, and death, if not treated properly and promptly.

2. Recalled Products.  Every year there are approximately 400 recalls.  Consumers can find recall information right on the CPSC’s website.  The CPSC states that they are very effective at getting dangerous products off store shelves, such as recalled toys, clothing, children's jewelry, tools, appliances, electronics and electrical products. But once a product gets into the home, the consumer has to be on the lookout. Consumers need to be aware of the latest safety recalls to keep dangerous recalled products away from family members.

3. Tip-overs.  Tip-overs account for an average of 22 deaths per year – with an unfortunate 31 deaths in 2006 – and an estimated 3,000 injuries.  According to the CPSC, furniture, TVs and ranges can tip over and crush young children. Deaths and injuries occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, and chests. TVs placed on top of furniture can tip over causing head trauma and other injuries. Items left on top of the TV, furniture, and countertops, such as toys, remote controls and treats might tempt kids to climb.

4. Windows and Window Coverings.  These products result in an average of 12 deaths annually from window cords and an average of 9 deaths and an estimated 3,700 injuries to children annually from window falls.  The CPSC states that children can strangle on window drapery and blind cords that can form a loop. Parents should use cordless blinds or keep cords and chains permanently out of the reach of children. Consumers should cut looped cords and install a safety tassel at the end of each pull cord or use a tie-down device, and install inner cord stays to prevent strangulation. Never place a child's crib or playpen within reach of a window blind.  The dangers of windows don't end with window coverings and pull cords. Kids love to play around windows. Unfortunately, kids can be injured or die when they fall out of windows. Do not rely on window screens. Window screens are designed to keep bugs out, not to keep kids in.

5. Pool and Spa Drains.  From 2002 to 2004 there were 15 injuries and 2 fatalities because of pool and spa drains.  According to the CPSC the suction from a pool drain can be so powerful that it can hold an adult under water, but most incidents involve children. The body can become sealed against the drain or hair can be pulled in and tangled. Missing or broken drain covers are a major reason many entrapment incidents occur. Pool and spa owners can consider installing a Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS), which detects when a drain is blocked and automatically shuts off the pool pump or interrupts the water circulation to prevent an entrapment.

Tips for Avoiding These Hidden Hazards

The CPSC offers the following tips for staying safe if you have these hidden hazards in your home.

1. Watch carefully for loose magnets and magnetic pieces and keep away from younger children (less than 6). If you have a recalled product with magnets, stop using it, call the company today, and ask for the remedy.
2. Get dangerous products out of the home. Join CPSC's "Drive To One Million" campaign and sign up for free e-mail notifications at https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx - an e-mail from CPSC is not spam – it could save a life.
3. Verify that furniture is stable on its own. For added security, anchor to the floor or attach to a wall. Free standing ranges and stoves should be installed with anti-tip brackets.
4. Safeguard your windows: repair pull cords ending in loops and install window guards or stops today.
5. Every time you use a pool or spa, inspect it for entrapment hazards. Check to make sure appropriate drain covers are in place and undamaged.

No matter how careful you are or how many precautions you take, it is always possible that you or someone you love could be injured in an accident through no fault of your own.  The Houston based law firm of Vujasinovic & Beckcom cares about your safety.  We are not intimidated by powerful manufacturers and insurance companies looking out for their own best interests.  If you or someone you love has been injured or killed or hurt by a defective or dangerous product, contact the attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom today

Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C
1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713.224.7800
Fax: 713.224.7801

Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C
1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020
Houston, TX 77002

Phone: 713.224.7800
Fax: 713.224.7801