Home Safety Hazards: How to Identify and Prevent Common Home Safety Issues

Safety is a top priority for every homeowner. Starting by getting a home inspection, ensures that the home is safe enough to purchase. However, hidden home hazards can accumulate over time. Fortunately, the homeowner can take small actions every day to make sure these hazards are kept at bay. Keep reading to learn about ten home hazards that are hard to see but easy to fi

Carbon Monoxide

No one can see or smell it, but carbon monoxide is a lethal hazard. An improperly vented furnace or a malfunctioning clothes dryer or water heater can dump the invisible gas into your home. Keep your furnace clean and change the filter as recommended. Never use outdoor machines, especially gas-operated ones, inside the home. Most important: plug in a carbon monoxide detector. A properly functioning carbon monoxide detector will instantly detect a threat and allow occupants to act quickly.

Fire Hazards

If there's a fire, home safety demands that everyone knows about it in a hurry. People might not move quickly enough if smoke detectors are too far from the fire or too remote to be heard. Have them on every level and in all sleeping areas. Experts suggest wiring them together so that when one goes off, they all do. Test smoke detectors monthly, change the battery twice a year and replace all detectors after ten years. Be sure to comply with neighborhood zoning designations, as many are in place to prevent fire hazards.

Mold Growth

Mold spores cause breathing problems such as asthma, and they trigger allergies. Living in a moldy house for any length of time compromises health. Mold thrives on dampness, so you can prevent it by keeping bathrooms, air vents, and kitchens clean and dry. Proper sealing of the house can keep the outdoor humidity from inciting mold growth, and dehumidifiers will further reduce the potential for growth. Small amounts of mold can be removed, but a significant issue requires professional mitigation.

Potential Poisons

Many cleaning supplies are poisonous. Also, the contents of your medicine cabinet may be necessary for an adult in the family but disastrous for a child; keep all such things locked up. Always store hazardous household chemicals in their original containers or ones marked as poisonous. Don't forget that many common houseplants are hazardous, even something as innocent as daffodils. Check online whether yours are OK.

Sharp Objects

Most people recognize the danger of knives and razor blades, but peelers and graters can also cause severe injuries. Anything that a toddler can stab or poke with should be out of reach. Garden tools in the garage are also objects to be wary of.

Dryer Lint

Dryers cause thousands of fires every year, and the majority are due to lint buildup. Most people remove it from their filters, but some forget that lint can accumulate in the venting tubes, especially those that run out through the roof. They should be cleaned annually. Also, accordion-style bent tubes can trap lint on the folds and should be replaced with modern alternatives.

Falling Furniture

Tall, narrow items, such as bookcases, pose the risk of tipping and injuring someone. Additionally, anything with drawers invites a child to open them and climb. Most furniture sold today comes with wall anchors. Use them, and buy anchors for older furnishings.

Clutter & Tripping Hazards

Clutter isn't merely unsightly; Scattered toys, clothes, and household items are a tripping hazard. If electrical cords are involved, there's a fire hazard as well. There should be a clear path through every room, and never leave anything on stairways.

Bathtubs and Showers

Slipping in the bathroom is a hazard for everyone since tubs and shower floors can be slick. Use non-slip mats inside the tub/shower and on the floor outside. Also, safety rails help everyone make the big step into the shower without incident.

Electrical Hazards

Most families use outlet covers in unprotected sockets. However, some people "piggyback" plugs rather than following a limit of one plug per socket. Use a power strip instead. Keep an eye on appliance cords and replace them if they fray. Limit extension cords to temporary use; don't leave them plugged in for long periods.

Be Proactive For a Safe and Happy Home

Taking a few easy steps to prevent hidden home hazards can go a long way in keeping your family safe. By being aware of the most common dangers and fixing them, you can breathe easier knowing that your loved ones are out of harm's way. Have you checked your home for any of these potential hazards? If not, now is the time to take action!