Home Economics / Home Management · Lesson 12

Home safety, accidents, first aid, sanitation, waste disposal, pests and pollution

JAMBWAECNECO

What the syllabus asks

JAMB: Safety measures in the home (importance, common accidents, prevention, use of first aid); Sanitation (definition; waste disposal: household waste, drainage system, disposal methods; pollution and health hazards; household pests: types, control). JAMB Home Economics B8 (sanitation in the home) and C8 (safety and hygiene). First-aid content summarised for exams; recommend review by a health…

WAEC: Safety measures in the home (importance, common accidents, prevention, use of first aid); Sanitation (definition; waste disposal: household waste, drainage system, disposal methods; pollution and health hazards; household pests: types, control). JAMB Home Economics B8 (sanitation in the home) and C8 (safety and hygiene). First-aid content summarised for exams; recommend review by a health…

NECO: Safety measures in the home (importance, common accidents, prevention, use of first aid); Sanitation (definition; waste disposal: household waste, drainage system, disposal methods; pollution and health hazards; household pests: types, control). JAMB Home Economics B8 (sanitation in the home) and C8 (safety and hygiene). First-aid content summarised for exams; recommend review by a health…

What you will learn

Explain the importance of home safety and causes of accidents.
Describe common accidents and their prevention.
State the aims and rules of first aid and contents of a first-aid box.
Give simple first aid for common emergencies.
Explain sanitation, waste types and disposal methods.
Describe drainage and liquid waste disposal.
Identify household pests, the diseases they spread and their control.
Explain types of pollution and their prevention.

Key points

Most home accidents are preventable with care, order and supervision.
Child-proof homes with young children.
First aid: preserve life, prevent worsening, promote recovery.
Bleeding: press and raise; burns: cool water 20 minutes; fracture: immobilise.
Poisoning: do not induce vomiting; go to hospital with the container.
Choking: back blows and abdominal thrusts (adults); CPR 30:2 if not breathing.
ORS: 1 litre water, 6 level teaspoons sugar, half teaspoon salt.
Sanitation: toilets, hand-washing, clean surroundings.
Waste: sort, 3 Rs; landfill, incinerate, compost, recycle.
Drainage: keep gutters clear; septic tanks desludged.
Pests: sanitation first; physical, chemical, biological control.
Pollution: air, water, land, noise.

Start here: Safety in the home: importance and causes of accidents

An accident is an unexpected event that causes injury or damage. The home is where many accidents happen, especially to young children and the elderly. Safety means freedom from danger, achieved by taking precautions.

Importance of home safety

Prevents injury, disability and death.
Saves money on treatment and repairs.
Protects property from fire and damage.
Gives peace of mind and security.
Teaches children responsibility.

Causes of home accidents

Carelessness and hurry: rushing on stairs, leaving pot handles out.
Ignorance: not knowing that kerosene in a drink bottle is dangerous.
Poor housekeeping: toys on stairs, wet floors, clutter.
Faulty equipment: frayed cords, leaking gas hoses, broken steps.
Poor lighting on stairs and corridors.
Fatigue, illness and alcohol.
Children’s curiosity and lack of supervision.
Old age: weak eyesight, slower reflexes, unsteady walking.
Poor storage of medicines, chemicals and sharp tools.

Who is at most risk?

Toddlers (falls, burns, poisoning, drowning), elderly people (falls, burns), and people working with heat and tools. Children under five explore by touching and tasting; every home with young children should be “child-proofed”.

Child-proofing

Socket covers; cords out of reach.
Medicines and chemicals in locked cupboards in original labelled containers.
Safety gates on stairs; window guards on upper floors.
Cover wells, tanks and buckets of water.
Keep small objects (buttons, coins, batteries, groundnuts) away from toddlers.
Keep plastic bags away from young children.
Turn pot handles inward; keep children away from cooking areas and hot irons.
Secure heavy furniture and televisions to walls.

Safety habits for everyone

Clean as you go, store things in their places, read labels, switch off and unplug, handle tools properly, keep exits clear, and teach emergency numbers. In Nigeria the national emergency number is 112.

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Practice questions

1. The aims of first aid are to preserve life, prevent worsening and

promote recovery
diagnose disease
prescribe drugs
perform surgery

Show answer

A: promote recovery
The three Ps.

2. Nigeria’s national emergency number is

Show answer

D: 112
NECC toll-free 112.

3. Adult chest compressions in CPR should be at a rate of

200 a minute
30 a minute
100 to 120 a minute
60 a minute

Show answer

C: 100 to 120 a minute
Current guidance.

4. The ratio of compressions to rescue breaths in CPR is

10 : 2
30 : 2
20 : 1
5 : 1

Show answer

B: 30 : 2
For trained rescuers.

5. A burn should first be cooled under cool running water for at least

20 minutes
1 minute
5 seconds
2 hours

Show answer

A: 20 minutes
Never apply oil or toothpaste.

Key words

Accident: Unexpected event causing injury or damage.
Scald: Burn from hot liquid or steam.
First aid: Immediate help before medical care.
CPR: Chest compressions and rescue breaths.
RICE: Rest, ice, compression, elevation.
ORS: Oral rehydration solution.
Sanitation: Safe disposal of waste and hygiene.
Sullage: Wastewater from kitchen and bathroom.
Sewage: Human excreta and flushing water.
Biodegradable: Can be broken down by microbes.
Sanitary landfill: Engineered site where waste is covered daily.
Septic tank: Underground tank treating sewage.

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