Michigan Stay at Home Order and Home Safety

Governor Whitmer late yesterday signed Executive Order 2020-42, clarifying and extending  Michigan’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” requirement through April 30.  Generally speaking, the order prohibits or severely curtails any out-of-home travel except for life-sustaining tasks, certain essential or necessary work, and outdoor activities (as long as non-family members are more than 6 feet apart).  As a practical matter, Michiganders are spending a lot more time in their homes these days.

The “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order is an important step in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and “flattening the curve” in Michigan, which has been hit hard by the virus.  Still, staying at home does not mean you should let your guard down.  Serious and fatal accidents occur with alarming frequency within the household.

Lists of the type and number of injuries vary considerably, but some of the major types of unintentional at-home injuries involve falls, poisoning, fires, choking or suffocation, and drowning.  Although it may be too early to tell, it seems likely that with more people staying at home, there will be an uptick in these types of injuries.  A few common-sense measures can help reduce the risk of an accident in your home – make sure handrails are sturdy, clean up spills, store poisonous substances and sharp objects in a safe place, and have a working fire extinguisher readily available in the house.

Violating the Stay Home, Stay Safe order is a crime, and it puts yourself and other people at risk of contracting COVID-19.  Do your part by staying in unless absolutely necessary, and while you’re home be sure to take care to avoid unintentional injuries.