- Author
- U.S. Department of Commerce | National Bureau of Standards
- Title
- Safety for the Household.
- Coporate
- Department of Commerce, Washington, DC National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- NBS C 397; NBS Circular 397; Circular of the Bureau of Standards No. 397, May 6, 1932, 105 p.
- Keywords
- safety | home accidents | risk analysis | life safety | statistics | accidents | standards | fire hazards | electrical hazards | lightning | fire resistant construction | public awareness
- Identifiers
- mechanical hazards; gas hazards; miscellaneous hazards
- Abstract
- This circular (SUPERSEDES CIRCULAR NO. 75) considers the hazards which occur in the home and gives suggestions to eliminate them or to cope with them where they can not easily be eliminated. Hazards may be due to physical conditions, to careless habits, or to a combination of both. The former should be dealt with when building the house; the latter are largely a question of housekeeping and hence receive the most attention in this volume. Nearly 100,000 fatal accidents occur annually in the United States, of which from onequarter to one-third occur at home. The loss of property by fire is about a haif billion dollars, of which $160,000,000 represents residences. The importance of the problem is therefore great, and its attack calls for community organization, which is also the subject of suggestions. Hazards are classified as mechanical (falls, machinery, cuts, etc.), fire, gas (fire, asphyxiation), electrical (shock, fire), lightning (shock, fire), and miscellaneous (poisons, etc.). Proper attention to railings, floor coverings, keeping steps clear, lighting, and avoiding substitutes for stepladders will avoid many falls, Power-operated machines require guards. Fires are started by defective chimneys, combustible roofs, defective heating apparatus, matches, careless smoking, gasoline, rubbish, Christmas decorations, electrical defects, and lightning. Attention is given to fire-retardant treatment of materials and what to do in case of fire. Gas leaks, proper choice and installation of appliances, and adjustment, operation and care of appliances are fully discussed. Flexible tubing is a hazard. Carbon-monoxide poisoning occurs from running automobile motors in closed garages. Electrical fuses must be kept intact, standard cords and approved appliances used, and grounding carried out if fires and shocks are to be avoided. Handling of appliances in wet places should be avoided. Do not touch live parts. Do not touch plumbing, etc., while handling appliances. Proper protection from lightning is stated. Poisons should be labeled and kept out of reach of children. Exercise care in use of alcohol, varnishes, polishing and cleansing materials, disinfectants, fumigants, insecticides, and drugs. Methods of first aid are given, including resuscitation, treatment of burns, scalds, and bruises. Suggestions for building a home cover items involving construction and equipment.