“1. Falls
commonly cause cuts, scrapes, bumps to the head and concussions, fractures, dislocations and hand and wrist injuries,” Mendoza says. “In those who are on blood thinners, we see subdural hematomas, which is bleeding in or around the brain.”
To prevent falls, eliminate obstacles in the home that pose a tripping hazard, install grab rails or supports in places such as the bathroom and use your cane or walker if you have one. Ask your doctor if any of your medications cause dizziness. If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation.
2. Cuts
Cuts sounds like a relatively minor injury, but they can be dangerous when there’s heavy bleeding or an infection. People often cut themselves at home while preparing food in the kitchen and working on home improvement projects, says Mendoza, who has seen an increase in cuts on the hands and fingers.
“It may be counterintuitive, but make sure you are using a sharp knife when cutting and prepping food,” Mendoza says. “A dull knife will make it more difficult to slice through food and can slip, causing you to cut yourself.”
Using a cutting board can reduce the risk of knife slips, too — never cut something in your hand. If you’re doing home repairs, wear sturdy work gloves and don’t tackle projects that feel beyond your skill set.
3. Burns
Another indication more people have been in the kitchen: more burns from boiling water or hot oil.
“We’ve also seen burns from exposure to chemicals and accidents when starting or tending to a fire,” Mendoza says.
When cooking, pay attention to what you’re doing, wear protective gear as needed (such as oven mitts) and keep children and pets away. If using potentially hazardous chemicals, such as bleach, drain cleaner or paint thinner, read all the instructions, wear protective gear and store them out of reach of children. Make sure there’s a working smoke detector on every level of your home, and never leave any type of fire, including campfires and fire pits, unattended or in reach of children or pets.
4. Poisonings
Poisonings are the most common preventable injury cause of death in the home.
Accidental overdoses can happen if you forget whether you have taken a dose of medication and then take it again. Poisonings also can happen if children are able to reach medications, household cleaners or chemicals. In the winter, carbon monoxide poisoning can result from keeping gas grills or heaters inside, or because a gas furnace malfunctions.
“Make sure your smoke alarms are working properly and have good batteries,” Mendoza says. “Add a carbon monoxide alarm to your home if you don’t have one. Keep medications and household cleaners in places that children cannot reach, and help older loved ones keep track of when they are supposed to take their medications.”
5. Gunshot wounds
Mendoza says the emergency department is seeing more injuries from accidents involving guns at home, especially bullet wounds in the legs, feet and toes.
“We’ve seen incidents in which children have found loaded guns in the house and fired the weapon,” Mendoza says. “We’ve also seen incidents with adults who didn’t know the gun was loaded or the safety was off or had an accident while cleaning their gun.”
If you have a gun in your home, keep it locked in a place where children cannot access it, and store firearms and ammunition separately, both under lock. Make sure anyone who handles the firearm understands how to do so safely.