Common Home Safety Hazards and How to Fix Them
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1-10 hours
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Intermediate
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- 0-500
Not surprisingly, the vast majority of accidents happen at home. It is, after all, where we often spend copious amounts of time.
If you know what to look for, you can put your DIY skills to work to reduce home hazards and create a safer space.
1. Slippery Shower
Just add soap and water to create a recipe for slips. Bathtubs and showers are one of the most common places for falls, so take the time to focus your home safety efforts on this area. Install hand grips inside and outside the shower.
For elderly or unstable residents, also include a removable or fixed bench. On the shower or bath floor, use sticky mats or decals that provide traction for feet. Also make sure the area outside the shower is safe with a grippy shower mat and towel racks within easy reach.
2. Tripping Hazards
Other areas of the home also contribute to the risk of falls. For example, rugs should be taped down, anchored on all sides with furniture, or removed altogether. In closets, organize the space so items are within reach.
When it is necessary to get to the top shelves, keep a sturdy step ladder nearby to handle the task. Address areas around the home with elevation changes and add safety handles for doorways into and out of the home or garage.
3. Stairways
Start by putting a secure baby gate at the top and bottom of any staircases in homes with small children. Ensure the safety of stairways inside and outside the home by checking treads, the durability of step materials, and handrails.
Add rails if needed, enhance lighting for visibility, and provide a slip-free surface.
4. Decks
Wood has the potential to warp, crack, splinter, and rot so it’s important to check decking frequently for any safety concerns. Again check the stairs and railings. Use a planer on elevated edges of wood planks.
Sand and stain or paint the deck every few years. Also check the deck covering, whether it’s a pergola, roof, or other material. Make sure it’s safe and unlikely to fall.
5. Cracked Cement
Walkways, driveways, and patios made from cement can crack and create tripping hazards. Fill small cracks with epoxy. Larger gaps may need to be ground down with an angle grinder before filling the space.
6. Poisoning
Chemicals and medicines inside and outside the house are a concern, particularly for curious children. Installing locks on cupboards or using locking cabinets are good options.
You can also rely on top shelves children cannot reach, even if they’re climbers. Always leave chemicals in their original, clearly-labeled containers.
7. Fires
To avoid chimney fires from fireplaces and wood-burning stoves, inspect your chimney for cracks and clean each year. Never leave open flames unattended, including those in outside fire pits and on the stovetop.
Install a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, garage, and near any other fire sources inside the home.
Candles are a common source of fires, so switch to LED candles instead. Also monitor your holiday tree for moisture and never leave your tree plugged in at night or while you’re away from home.
8. Drowning
Pools are the greatest risk for drownings. Always use a locking gate for underground pools. For above-ground pools, never leave children unattended and always remove the ladder that provides easy access.
Never leave a bathtub full of water in a home with children and stay within an arm’s reach if they’re in the bath.
9. Scalding
Water heaters are equipped with temperature control for a few reasons. One is so you can turn it down when you plan to be out of town. The other is to keep the water from getting too hot.
Reduce the risk of water burns by keeping water heaters at 130-140 degrees. Burns can still occur at these temperatures, but you’ll have more time to respond than at higher temps where scalding happens within seconds.
10. Construction Mistakes
While it’s well-reported that older homes can cause health issues from unsafe materials like asbestos or lead paint (both should be dealt with btw), even on new construction, you may find there are some safety hazards.
Before you take ownership of your new home, having a professional inspection can divert a lot of future headaches. Your inspector can point out issues that could affect water or air quality, as well as electrical and other safety issues.
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![Dawn Hammon]()
Dawn Hammon has thrived in freelance writing and editor roles for nearly a decade. She has lived, worked, and attended school in Oregon for many years. Dawn currently spends her days convincing her children she is still smarter than them while creating new experiences with her husband of 24 years.  Her multiple interests have led her to frequently undergo home improvement projects. She enjoys sharing the hard-earned knowledge that comes with it with the audience of DoItYourself.com. Dawn and her sister make up a power-tool loving duo that teaches classes to local women with the goal of empowering them to tackle their fears and become comfortable with power tools. Tapping into her enthusiasm for saving money and devotion to sustainable practices, Dawn has recently launched a passion project aimed at connecting eco-friendly products and socially-responsible companies with consumers interested in making conscientious purchases, better informing themselves about products on the market, and taking a stand in favor of helping to save the planet. When she is not providing stellar online content for local, national, and international businesses or trolling the internet for organic cotton clothing, you might find her backpacking nearby hills and valleys, traveling to remote parts of the globe, or expanding her vocabulary in a competitive game of Scrabble. Dawn holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, which these days she mostly uses to provide therapy for her kids and spouse. Most recently, I worked for a small local professional organizing and estate sale company for four years where I learned a ton about organizing and/or disposing of just about anything. She was raised in a tool-oriented, hands-on, DIY family. Her dad worked in the floor covering business and owned local floor covering businesses, so of course selling floor covering was one of her first jobs. Her brother was a contractor for about 30 years and site supervisor for Habitat for Humanity. I worked with him often, building decks, painting houses, framing in buildings, etc. With her sister, she holds power tool classes to empower women who are scared or have never used them. Not quite homesteaders, she did grow up with a farm, tractors, motorcycles, expansive gardens, hay fields, barns, and lots of repairs to do. Plus she and her family preserved foods, raised cattle and pigs, chopped and hauled firewood, and performed regular maintenance on two households, outbuildings, fencing, etc. As an adult, she has owned two houses. The first one she personally ripped out a galley kitchen and opened it up to the living area, plus updated every door, floor covering, and piece of trim in the place. In her current home, she's tackled everything from installing real hardwood flooring to revamping the landscape.
