Every day millions of people make simple mistakes at home that endanger their safety without even knowing it.

Lee County Senior Community Health Nursing Supervisor, Glenda Wolnick says that home safety should be a top priority for everyone, and knowing what to do to protect yourself and others is the key. "We know that injuries are preventable. So we know that with education and sharing information with our community partners and getting the message out to all of the community residents that we'll be able to decrease injuries in Lee County even though we're growing by leaps and bounds."

But too often people put themselves at risk without even knowing it. Experts say people make mistakes with small, everyday tasks like lighting candles or cooking. Battalion Chief John McMahon says, "Don't leave pots and pans unattended. We have a lot of kitchen fires; it's one of the major causes of fires in this country. Unattended pots and pans."

Glenda also says that people with children up to age 14 should take extra precaution to ensure their home is safe. Health officials recommend covering power outlets, securing electric cords, and locking away cleaning products to prevent the possibility of injury. "There's outlets that need to be covered, there's wires that they can trip on or wrap around themselves or injure themselves. There may be some electrical force coming from there.

John also says that no matter what the ages of the people in your home, frequently checked safety monitors like smoke alarms should be placed in every sleeping room and at least one fire extinguisher you know how to properly use, should also be present. "Don't get closed in when you're using an extinguisher.that comes out with a pretty intense force and you can actually push the material, the oil or whatever, out of the pot and it actually could spread the fire."

In any emergency event, trying to solve the problem yourself can only make it worse. Remember to immediately call 911 and evacuate.

It's important to remember that every home should have a plan that tells you what to do in the event of an accident.