Edward Demba

Occupational Health & Safety Practitioner

Your chances of getting hurt at home are higher than at work or school?

Aims and objectives1. Define the different Gambian home settings2. Define hazards in the various homes3. Identify negative home safety contributors4. Identify safety issues during festivity 5. Identify the home safety solutions6. Appreciate the leading cause of death in

homes7. Understand how our houses and home could

be made safe

Different Gambia home settingsThe Gambia like many developing countries has

basis to highly complex living homesThese can be divided to Basic, Middle and Upper

class homes Basic homes generally made from straw, mud

bricks, cement bricks and other basic materialMiddle income homes generally build with high

quality cement bricks and concrete structures Upper class homes Built to internationally

recognised standard and sophistication. These home are found in unique environmental

settings (village, towns and cities)

Hazards associated with basic homesBush fire in the dry seasonFloods in the rainy seasonStorms in the rainy seasonFalling branches and walls during rain and

stormSecurity associated hazards (generally lack

of basic security)Lighting hazards (candles, kerosene etc)

Hazards associated with middle and upper class homesLighting hazards (candles and other fuel)Electrical and cooking fuel fire hazardsHome security related hazards (bugler proves,

house door locks)Cooking fuel hazardsIndoor housing of hazardous material (cooking

gas, other toxic material)Children associated hazards (fire, gas, spills

etc)

Negative home safety contributors

These contributors are related to Physical (material used to build the

home)Personal (children, mentally disturbed,

high risk behaviour such as smoking etc)Environmental (location of the house,

bush fire and general cleanliness, flood prone areas ect)

Home safety during festivityThe Gambian community is made of mostly

Muslims and a minority ChristiansThe two faiths observe their feast in an

elaborate mannerIn addition, other social gatherings calls for

festivity Various hazards are encountered during

these periods notably fire hazardsRoad safety associated hazards

Summary of home associated safety hazardsFire (cooking, bush fire, electrical etc)Flood ( environmental and man made)Storm ( falling branches, blown roofs,

damaged electrical lines etc)Children associated hazards (fire, toxic

chemical etc)Candles, fuel and toxic material

The home safety solutions

Fire safety solutionsMud bricks should be used instead of straw and

readily combustible materialCorrugate sheets should be used as basic

roofing material were possible or ensure a fire safe environment

Avoid use of candles as lighting material or ensure safe use of candles in the house

Ensure proper electrical installation and safe usage of electrical appliances

Avoid overloading electrical socketsUse electrical appliances with approved rating

Fire safety solutions cont...Do not keep flammable gas and liquids in the

houseDo not leave open flames in the hands of minorsDiscourage cigarette smoking in the houseInstall smoke detectors where possibleInstall fire extinguishers in fire prone areas and

properly train all operatorsConsider safe escape routes in the house (avoid

fixed burglar prove and the habit of locking all doors with keys when going to bed)

Keep an eye on children during festive periods

Flood safety solutionsAlways build houses on higher groundsAvoid building on natural water ways or wet

low lands Generally raise the ground on which houses

are built.Reinforce the immediate surroundings of the

mud houses to secure the houseProtect vulnerable walls with impermeable

plastic sheets

Storm safety solutionsStorms are usually encountered during the

rainy seasonMake sure all roofing structure are properly

securedGrow trees on storm wind direction and have

them trimmed to serve as wind breakersHave branches in close proximity to electrical

lines trimmed by competent personsStay indoor during a storm

Human factor safety solutionsSmall children can be adventurous keep an

eye on them at all timesDo not leave open flames in the hands of

minors without supervisionKeep chemicals and toxic material away from

childrenProperly label all chemicals

Leading causes of death at home

Leading causes of death at homeFallsPoisoningFires and BurnsChoking Drowning

Who is most likely to be hurt?

The very old

The very young

Slips, Trips and FallsKeep floors free of things that can be tripped

over or slipped on

Keep stairs in good shape

Eliminate throw rugs

Slips, Trips and FallsMake certain you can see where you are

going when carrying big loads

Keep your home well lighted

Poison Proof Your Home

Potential dangers exist in all rooms

Look through your home for poisonous products

Store dangerous products out of children’s reach

What Products are Dangerous?

MedicineMouthwashMakeupFirst Aid SuppliesDeodorantCleanersPerfumesCigarettes

Furniture PolishLiquorPlantsBleachAnti-freezeGasolineKerosenePesticides

Here are just a few items. . .

Safety in the houseDO and DO NOT

The following slides were adapted from ESOL Teaching Pack

Fire hazards in the home Kitchens

DO the following to keep safety from kitchen fire

combustible material from heat sources

Keep electrical wire away from fire or water

Keep cooker etc clean from food particle and oil

Keep a fire blanket in the kitchen

Ensure all electrical appliances are switched off before leaving the kitchen

Fire hazards in the home KitchensDO NOT

Leave kitchen unattended when cooking

Leave cooking put handles protruding out (can easily be knocked over)

Use pans to do frying because the can easily catch fire

Fry wet food, allow to drain properly before frying

Do not overheat cooking oil

Fire hazards in the home ElectricalDOCheck plugs and lead are in

safe conditionUse one plug for one socket (no

overloading)Unplug electrical appliance

when not in use

Fire hazards in the home ElectricalDO NOTPlug lots of electrical items in one

socketDo not pass electrical leads under

carpets and combustible materialPut lamps near curtain

Fire hazards in the home Cigarettes and candles

DOPut of cigarette properlyUse ash trays to put off cigarettesKeep matches and lighter away

from childrenBetter still stop cigarette

smoking (it is illegal to smoke cigarette in public places)

Put candles in proper holderPut candles out before leaving the

room or going to bed

Fire hazards in the home Cigarettes and candles

DO NOTSmoke while in bed. It is easy to fall

asleep and set your bed on firePut your candles near anything that

could catch fire such as curtains, wooden furniture

On plastic put and items made from plastic (television, radio etc)

We did not attempt to address all home safety issues

We however hope the lessons learnt will serve as a starting point in ensuring basic home safety

Remember!Keeping our homes safe is a

responsibility and a duty. Always keep your home safe.

We will appreciate your comments about this presentation.

Your feedback will help us serve you better

Please email us on edemba@hotmail.com

Stay safe !