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Safety

Safety is about preventing injuries in and around the home.

In a Smart Home, the risk of household injuries, such as falls, burns, scalds, cuts, bumps, poisoning, electrocution and fire, are reduced, especially for children, older people and people with disabilities.

A lockable, child-resistant cupboard will reduce the likelihood of accidents involving poisonous or dangerous items.

Step-free (hobless) showers can reduce the risk of trips and falls. Earth House, Cocoon Design.

Planning ahead for safety can reduce the risk of incidents causing injury in the home. A Smart House incorporates design features to increase safety, ensuring that parents can be confident that their child will be less able to access poisons or medications, reach electrical appliances or access hot water.

Safety is not only important in helping us to enjoy living in our homes, it is also important when it comes time to sell the home, as people are comforted by features that will protect them, their families and visitors.

Smart Housing features that make a home safer include:

• non-slip floors;
• lockable cabinet for storing poisons and medicines;
• kitchen that does not double as a passageway;
• a hard-wired smoke alarm;
• separating the driveway from the play areas; and
• well-designed kitchen including a clear, uncluttered floor space and drawers located away from the stove.

For more information about designing houses to improve safety, see the Smart Housing Safety and Security booklet.

Smart Housing features can also increase security in the home.

For more information

For more information about designing housing to improve safety, contact the department.

Last updated March 2007