Home Safety

Safeguard your home Guest Post Are you aware how many people are killed in Australia every year as a result of electrical fires, and there are thousands more people who are seriously injured? Roaches and termites are some of the most destructive pests on the planet, and they have done more than $5 billion in damages to [...]

Work from Home Safety Assessments

Work from Home Safety Resources Telework Australia have produced this excellent guide to telecommuting or working from home. It contains information on: Types of OH&S risks, Individual factors, Psychosocial factors, Work organisation, Work place and awkward postures, Task variability, Loads and movements, Environmental issues, Identifying home risks, Checklist of possible risks and hazards. DOWNLOAD HERE [...]

Christmas light safety

DIY Safety

Christmas Light Safety – Time for Some Regulation? I’ve begun strolling around the neighbourhood looking at Christmas lights. Some people have way to much time on their hands – but thanks for your efforts to make Xmas a special time. I try to take the Fun Policeman Hat off after 5pm but looking at the [...]

Christmas Safety Message

CHRISTMAS 2011: ‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE CAREFUL SafeWork SA says deadline pressures, parties and hot weather are some of the danger factors that workplaces need to manage in order to avoid a serious incident in the leadup to Christmas. Acting Executive Director, Bryan Russell says with many industries getting busier from here on, [...]

Fire Safety Tips for around the Home

Fire Safety

Fire Safety Tips for around the Home Guest post by Nisha No one ever wants to think about the possibility of having a house fire because it is such a frightening thought. However, house fires can be dangerous and deadly, so it is important for families to have a plan of action in place in [...]

The Dangers of Having Pests in Your Home

Animal Safety

Guest Post: The Dangers of Having Pests in Your Home Nature abounds with an enormous variety of fauna, ranging from mammals to birds to all the insects that seem to be inescapably anywhere. Some of these creatures are a benefit to human beings, while others are potentially harmful. A pest, by definition, is any animal [...]

Working From Home Safety

Poster courtesy of the Safety Toolshed Working From Home Safety Working from home, or telecommuting, is becoming more and more popular. I’ve done it for years and,despite the disadvantages, couldn’t imagine commuting each day. But it is a workplace and proper safe practices must still apply, particularly as [...]

10 Electrifying Facts About Your Fuse Box

In every home there is a distribution board, commonly called a fuse box or circuit breaker box. This enclosure controls all the electricity that comes into your home. It is the heart of your home’s electrical system. Everything runs through the fuse box, but what is it? What, exactly, does it do? And why should [...]

Unsafe Working at Height Pictures

Funny Safety Images

Ladder Safety Photos These images were sent in by a reader, please let us know if you are the owner and do not want them published. Any wonder why one of the most common DIY injuries are caused by falls from height or ladders??? Height Safety Pictures

We should be licensed to have children

We should be licensed to have children I was at the shopping centre yesterday when I saw a 2 year left unattended in a shopping trolley beside a balustrade with a 2 storey fall to the bottom of the atrium. I politely told the mother that it was probably a very unsafe thing to [...]

Beware of independence on Independence Day

Great and timely article from our sister site in the US – www.safetyrisk.net Beware of independence on Independence Day While fireworks provide momentous entertainment, there are obvious inherent hazards. While parents keep young children away from fireworks, older children are often trusted to know better. Parents of school aged children and teenagers need to [...]

Pool Safety Checklist

Checklists

HOME POOL SAFETY CHECKLIST Royal Life Saving have introduced a new initiative known as the The Keep Watch Home Pool Safety Campaign. It has the aim of reminding every home pool owner to check, fix and maintain their home pool to help eliminate child drowning. One of features of their website is this simple [...]

Homeowner Electrical Safety

DIY Safety

Homeowner Home Improvement Electrical Safety Electrical dangers are well-known among electricians, carpenters and homeowners alike. Most people know that the wrong move with electricity can kill you. However, even with this general knowledge, people continue to be fatally injured every year by electricity. This is especially prominent among homeowners, so let’s take a look at [...]

Tree Trimming Safety

Dangerous Jobs

Tree Trimming Safety In the world of do-it-yourself home improvement, sometimes the trees are best left to the experts. With many dangers present, those who have been fully trained in using the proper equipment for each tree trimming task may complete the job more quickly and more safely. In addition, tree trimming may require large [...]

Cold Weather Animal Safety

Animal Safety

Cold Weather Animal Safety As we once again begin to feel the chill in the air, it is time to consider the best ways to keep our furry friends safe during the colder months. Dogs and cats may have been blessed with natural coats to help them stay warm, but even they can experience hypothermia [...]

Barbeque Safety

Barbecue Safety One of the nation’s favorite pastimes is throwing a little shrimp on the barbie. The delicious aroma of barbecuing mixed with a little fair weather fun is one of the most perfect ways to relax. However, grilling can also be dangerous if the proper preparations are not made and the proper precautions are [...]

Homeowner Bathroom Safety

Homeowner Bathroom Safety One of the most dangerous rooms in the house is the bathroom. The prevalence of electricity and water in the same small area can cause some of the most injurious accidents every year. However, there are some ways you can protect your family and yourself from bodily harm in the loo. Let’s [...]

Kitchen Safety for Children

Kitchen Safety for Children Kitchens can pose many dangers to you and your family, and particularly to children who wish to cook. With the prevalence of heat, electricity, water, salmonella, knives and many other sharp objects, it is important to carefully manage your children’s kitchen activities. Let’s look at this more in depth. Limit Little [...]

Risk Assessment for Home Improvements

An excellent way to minimize your risk in the workplace, risk assessment is also a great way to minimize risks in any home improvement job you may wish to accomplish. From hanging drapes to hanging windows, assessing any risks that are prevalent in a home improvement task can help you attack the job with a [...]

Gardening Safety

Heat Stress

Gardening can be one of the greatest, most pleasurable hobbies. The fresh air, exercise and beautiful or edible products of all that hard work have made gardening a favorite pastime with many people. However, with all the benefits come some dangers, so some precautions should be taken to ensure the gardener has a safe, pleasurable [...]

Landscaping: Safety in Hardscaping and Home Pool Safety

When developing a landscaping plan, it is important to keep the design safe. Stacked rock walls, waterfalls and pools may be beautiful additions to your home’s exterior, but if it is not safe for you, your family or your guests, your time and effort may not reflect the serene or fun atmosphere you had intended. [...]

Fire Pit Safety

Fire Safety

[picappgallerysingle id="204407"] Fire Pit Safety Fire pits have become very popular lately. The warmth and joy that radiates from the open fire can make parties, intimate gatherings and simple marshmallow roasts the most sought-after and enjoyable activities of the spring, summer and autumn months. However, fire pits are wrought with dangers, and to ensure the [...]

Wood-Burning Fireplace Safety

Fire Safety

[picappgallerysingle id="271084"] Wood-Burning Fireplace Safety Winter is just around the corner for our Northern Hemisphere, and that means a roaring fire in the fireplace for many people. Unfortunately, improper fireplace use is a major cause of house fires and fire-related injuries every year. Thankfully, there are many free and/or low-cost preventative measures that can help [...]

Household Chemical Safety

Chemicals

[picappgallerysingle id="9013486"] Household Chemical Safety Chemicals can be harmful substances no matter if you are home or if you are in a lab. However, home chemical use can be very dangerous, especially if chemicals are mixed by homeowners, either intentionally or unintentionally. Thankfully, a little free chemical knowledge can go a long way in homeowner [...]

Christmas Light Safety

[picappgallerysingle id="209809"] Christmas Light Safety Remember “Christmas Vacation” with Chevy Chase? I love that movie because all the safety references are hilarious, but my favorite part of the movie is when Clark Griswald finally has all of the Christmas lights on his house, after many safety mishaps, and he plugs in the single extension cord, [...]

Baby Safety – Childproofing for Your New Arrival

[picappgallerysingle id="246934"] Baby Safety: Childproofing for Your New Arrival Nothing is more precious to a family than the newest member of the family, so taking precautions to make your home safe for your new baby is necessary. Although newborns may not be able to cause much trouble, they grow fast and can explore their surroundings [...]

Gutter Cleaning Safety

[picappgallerysingle id="5063613"] Gutter Cleaning Safety In preparation for a winter season of rain or a summer season of bushfires, gutter cleaning is an important home maintenance step. Clean gutters encourage proper drainage from your roof and away from your home, which prevents home problems such as roof leaks, rotting materials, and foundation issues. As important [...]

Cyclone Safety Tips and Precautions

Construction Safety

We’ve recently been warned that on top of all the recent flooding, QLD still faces a very serious threat from severe cyclones in the next week or so. Many injuries are caused by flying objects and structures not built according to latest building codes. The Qld Govt has produced this excellent guide covering what to [...]

Making High Crime Suburbs Safer

Neighbourhood Watch: Making Your High Crime Neighborhoods Safer For city councils, citizens, and criminals, it is difficult to break established high-crime neighborhoods from the patterns of crime formed over time. It takes a village to reduce the crime patterns, and the village consists of city councils, citizens, and the entire neighborhood, all working together to [...]

Halloween Safety Tips for Teenagers

Halloween Safety: Parties, Pranks, and Accident Prevention Teens have historically pulled pranks, threw parties, and committed crimes on Halloween. Freely talking to your teen about preventing criminal activities among their friends, preventing unlawful drinking, and preventing accidents can help teens draw boundaries which will keep them safe. Black Cats and Graveyards Teens tend to be [...]

BCA Requirements for Balustrades and Handrails

Articles

Great article from the Australian Timber Database about the bca requirements for timber balustrades and handrails. They state that: For all buildings, handrails and balustrades are required to comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA). The BCA is primarily concerned with the safety of building users and occupants. Design and construction must therefore take [...]

Halloween Safety

Halloween is nearly upon us. It can be a potentially dangerous time for kids. Risks can include being hit by vehicles when crossing roads, assault and food poisoning. www.ninemonths.com.au provides the following Halloween safety tips: Children should never Trick or Treat far from home and especially not alone, remember to Trick or Treat in groups [...]

New QLD Swimming Pool Regulations

Australian Standards

The Queensland Government has introduced what are reported to be Australia’s toughest new pool safety laws after a comprehensive review of Queensland’s swimming pool safety laws, the first for over 20 years. The new pool safety laws aim to further reduce the incidences of drowning and serious immersion injuries of young children in swimming pools. [...]

3 Uncommon Home Safety Lapses

This guest post is contributed by Sally Davison, she writes on the topic of fire science degree . She welcomes your comments at her email id: sally.davison091@gmail.com. It’s sort of an irony when you consider the fact that the very place most of us feel safest is where most accidents happen – your home, the [...]

Mesothelioma – Chinese Drywall – the new asbestos?

Asbestos

Early indications were that the Chinese Drywall problem would be the next asbestos or black mold. However, although the issue has been huge in the US with up to 100,000 homes affected, the product has only been used over a relatively short period of time in a confined geographical area and is unlikely to have [...]

Lawn Mower Safety