The home hazards many homeowners don’t notice until it’s too late
Home hazards ranging from poor or poisonous insulation and water leaks to fall hazards can turn your home from a sanctuary into an unsuspecting threat. Wildfire risk can increase if you’re not careful about removing dried vegetation in summer, and poor electrical use can increase risk indoors. With cleaning, anchoring, and regular home inspection, you can mitigate potential safety risks.
The Insulation Institute reported that a whopping 40% of American homes have some kind of health or safety hazard. Before being banned, lead paint and asbestos were once prominently used in many homes, but some older homes may still have them if they were never updated. Even in a new construction, issues from water leaks to outdoor fire risk can occur, so stay on top of prevention steps.
What Are Hidden Home Hazards Indoors to Look For?
Like many Americans, you may have several appliances and electronics in your home. Common household dangers lie in how people route their wiring; daisy-chaining extension cords or using old, damaged, ungrounded wiring can trigger electrical fires. An electrician can inspect old wiring and test circuit breakers while installing arc-fault circuit interrupter outlets.
Slow water leaks behind walls and under sinks can rot your drywall and floors, while endangering your health through mold growth. Regularly inspect any exposed pipes, which are often outdoors, and check beneath the water heater for water pooling. Install a smart water sensor in your high-risk areas, so you’re always alerted to leaks.
Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous as you can’t see, smell, or taste it. It can leak from appliances or vehicles in your attached garage. In addition to your fire alarm, install a CO alarm on every livable floor and keep them tested.
Heavy items that can tip and fall over can cause serious injuries or fatalities, especially to children, so be aware of tipping/tripping hazards, which include unanchored heavy furniture.
If you have bookshelves, heavy dressers, or TVs, anchor them directly to wall studs, and look out for those frayed rugs that can slip beneath your feet. Keep clutter off of stairways and use nonslip mats in your bathroom.
Where Are Undetected Safety Threats Outside?
From beauty, natural shade, and oxygen production, trees add life to any property, but a massive tree can become a threat if its roots overgrow and get too close to your home. Those roots can lift the foundation or puncture your sewage, creating a major health hazard.
If you have a problematic tree, call on affordable tree services across Atlanta for trimming and inspections.
Learn Preventive Home Safety
Staying aware of home hazards means knowing how to prevent the threat of water leaks, indoor and outdoor fire risks, and falls. Some issues can also lead to mold or make it easy for pests to invade. If you suspect a problem, call upon specialized inspectors who can check for and repair air leaks, overgrown tree roots, water leaks, and so on.
Learn more about home improvement and personal safety by reviewing other articles on our website.
