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Safety Hazards around the Home

Everyone should be able to think of their home as a haven. It is a place where you and your loved ones find shelter. Obviously, you want to provide a safe environment for everyone to live in. Keeping your family’s safety as a top priority means being mindful of potential hazards and taking the right measures to resolve them. Below, are some safety hazards that you may or may not be aware of in and around your home.

Slip and Fall Risks

Some of the most common accidents in the home are slips and falls. Adults and children can easily trip and end up hurting themselves badly. Been there, done that. This past November I tripped on my purse and banged my head hard into the wall. I ended up with black eyes and a lot of pain!

There are several areas around the house to check to decrease the likelihood that someone will slip and fall. Here are a couple of the most prominent:

·  Secure stairs – damaged staircases and steps are one of the biggest risks of tripping or falling. Make sure that all railings are intact and broken or damaged steps are repaired. If you have younger children, adding a childproof gate to the top of the stairs to prevent them from falling down the stairs.

·  Secure the bathroom – the bathroom tends to be slippery most of the time. The water from the shower and sink can sometimes find it’s way to the floors making the area slick. To reduce the chance of injury in your bathroom you should invest in bathroom rugs with slip-proof bottoms as well as a non-slip mat or stickers to prevent falling while in the shower. If necessary, install bath bars for support while in the tub or shower.

Fire Hazards

Thousands of house fires happen every year. To minimize the chances of a fire, you should complete the following:

·  Have your chimney serviced – If you live in an area like Connecticut where fireplaces are used frequently, then you’ll want to have your chimney serviced to avoid the risk of fire. Chimney sweeps in the CT area conduct cleanings that reduce the dangerous buildup in the chimney.

·  Unplug Appliances  Having too many appliances plugged in and used simultaneously can increase the risk of a fire. For example having your computer, television, and gaming console on one outlet and then adding your vacuum to the mix can result in an overworked outlet and cause for a fire. To reduce this risk, make sure that you use surge protectors and if necessary upgrade the electrical system to withstand the amount of power you’d like to use.

Environmental Dangers

There can be things present in the home that could cause harm to you and your loved ones. To remove these environmental dangers from your living space, you should consider the following:

·  Asbestos – If your home was built between 1940 and 1970 you may be exposed to an environmental hazard known as asbestos. Often found in insulation and around plumbing, if exposed to it, it can result in a plethora of illnesses and diseases including cancer.

·  Lead – another building material found in older homes is lead. Often located in paint produced prior to 1978, lead can be especially harmful to children. It can result in anemia, behavioral problems, kidney and brain damage, and learning disabilities. You’ll want to remove all paint or surfaces containing lead, if it is large quantities, this may require the help of experts who know how to remove it without causing further harm to your loved ones.

·  Mold – Mold can be present in the home without your knowledge. However, it tends to grow best in dark and damp areas like the basement or attic. If left untreated, mold can worsen allergies, asthma, and cause additional health problems. Treating tiny amounts of mold simply requires some bleach solution. However, larger amounts should be remediated by an expert.

Though you may think your home is one of the safest places to be, truth is, there are a lot of dangers in the home that could harm you, your loved ones, or damage your belongings. To reduce the risk of the above-mentioned safety hazards, it is imperative to either eliminate or minimize the risks whether you’re home, or on summer vacation. This will keep you and those you love safe and sound.