10 Things you can Do to Reduce Furniture Related Injuries

By Marina

Injuries can happen in your home in the least expected places.  While common occurrences of injury often take place in the kitchen, there are also other areas of the home that can provoke injury.  One usually doesn’t expect furniture to be the cause of a trip to the local emergency room. In many cases, however, it has.  Listed below are 10 things you can do to reduce furniture related injuries in your home.

• Keep furniture out of pathways.  Placing furniture in areas where people frequently walk is just an accident waiting to happen. While you and the members of your household may know that the table is there, guests who visit your home may not.  Avoid injury by placing furniture out of the way.
• If it is broke, fix it or throw it out. It can be hard letting go of furniture if it is sentimental to you or you don’t have any money to replace it.   However, having broken furniture in the home is sure to lead to injury.  Repair broken furniture as soon as you realize there is a problem.  If it cannot be repaired, throw it out or store it in the attic. Don’t leave it out for people to get hurt on.
• Furniture should never be placed near space heater or fire places. The actual position of the furniture can also be of danger.  Avoid placing couches made of fabric close to space heaters or fire places as this can result in injury. Be smart about where you place your furniture.
• Cheaply made furniture is more likely to cause injury. While you may want to save money when buying your furniture, be careful when buying extremely cheap products.   Read reviews about the durability and stability of the furniture before you make the purchase.  These reviews can be helpful in avoiding furniture related injuries in your home. Choose to buy your furniture from trusted brands instead of buying because of price.
• Make sure cabinets are hung properly.  Whether you have a curio cabinet hanging on the wall or a medicine cabinet or a vanity mirror in the bathroom, all cabinets must be properly hung.  Countless injuries occur from objects or actual cabinets falling from the wall.  Check to make sure that all cabinets in your home are properly hung.
• Put railings on your child’s bed. Bunk beds are a major cause of injury among children. If you have bunk beds in your home, make sure that the top bunk has a secure railing. Even beds that are high off the ground should have railing for your child’s protection.
• Make sure furniture is not top heavy. Top heavy furniture may collapse or fall onto someone walking by.  Avoid overcrowding hall tables or other pieces of furniture that have a surface to display things.  Limit the amount of knick knacks that you place on one surface.
• Children should never be allowed to climb on furniture. Reduce the risk for injury by not allowing children to climb up on tables, jump on couches, etc.  Set some ground rules for the furniture in your home so that you can avoid unwanted trips to the emergency room.
• Watch out for lead painted furniture. Lead paint is dangerous. Antiques and older furniture may be covered with leady paid. If you suspect a piece of furniture in your home may be painted with lead based paint, get rid of it.  Lead causes serious issues for health.
• Sharp corners should have some type of protection. Tables and fireplaces are notorious for having sharp edges. Avoid potential injuries by placing protection over sharp corners.  You children are especially prone to injuries relating to sharp edges from fireplaces and coffee tables.

Use the tips list above to help reduce your risk for furniture related injuries. Perhaps there are some changes you need to make in your home in a effort to make it safe for you, your family, and your guests. Accidents can happen when you least expect it and in the most uncommon places. This includes around your furniture. Do what you can to prevent injuries by taking the advice listed above.

The article is written by Marina of 1001 Walking canes – an online store of stylish and fashionable walking sticks.