6 Home Enemies And Essential Safety To Keep Them Away
Many critical safety issues in your home can be easily detected. Some cannot. A broken staircase is an obvious accident waiting to happen and a leaking roof demands attention. But, what about the essential home health issues such as mold, carbon monoxide and other invisible hazards? Your home is the haven of those within it and your environment either supports good health or, unfortunately, it doesn’t. It’s time to check for home enemies, many of them unseen and unknown–until now.
Enemy #1 is Mold: Bleach And Mold Removal
There are numerous issues surrounding mold and the destructive nature of this often unseen menace. Mold is a secretive invader, growing when water collects in your home or the humidity in the air is high. Mold that is visibly seen may be treated with bleach and mold removal on non-porous surfaces, which can be quick and efficient. However, bleach is usually only a temporary fix. What about unseen mold or mold that returns after using bleach products? Mold thrives in places such as interior walls, inside roofing materials, and in dark corners. In fact, it is most often unseen and, typically, unsuccessfully treated by bleach or other household products.
If you observe mold in your home, the best action you can take is to determine where it is growing and how to have it professionally treated. Contact industry experts who know how to treat mold so that it doesn’t return. It is well worth the time to check in order to ensure the air quality of your home.
Enemy # 2 is Carbon Monoxide: Burning Fuels And Unknown Gas
Carbon monoxide is another unknown enemy of homeowners and the families they care for. It is a gas that cannot be seen, smelled or even tasted in the air, which means it can be deadly without anyone even knowing about it. Carbon monoxide is commonly emitted while burning fuels, such as oil, wood, or natural gas. It is most often found in gas-powered or kerosene-powered heaters, stoves or furnaces and portable generators. The presence of carbon monoxide may not be noticed until someone in the home becomes ill.
If you believe there could be a chance that carbon monoxide is present in your home, call a professional who specializes in the removal of carbon monoxide to have your home tested and treated, if needed. This is an essential home health and safety check.
Enemy #3 Is The Dryer Vent: Really? Yes.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, home dryer vent fires caused over $84 million in home damages and loss in 2022. The preventative action is simple: clean the lint from the clothes dryer each time it is used. In this way, lint does not build up in the lint trap, nor does it line the air duct that carries the hot air from the dryer to the exterior of the home. This is a simple fix to a potentially deadly problem.
If your home has not had the air ducts cleaned in the past five years, call a professional home health and safety inspector to examine your home for potential issues.
Enemy #4 Is An Unstable Roof: Risk of Collapse
Although it doesn’t seem likely, an older roof can be a cry for help. Rooftops that have rotten wood or roofing treatments that are more than fifteen years old should be checked for durability and stability. The likelihood of a full roof collapse is small, however, a partial roof collapse, particularly if someone walks on the roof, is much more likely.
Call a roofing professional to check your roof every ten years to ensure hidden leaks or weaknesses are revealed and repaired. This is the healthiest way to protect your family and the life of your home.
Enemy #5 Is Household Chemicals: Children And Pets
Cleaners and chemicals are typically strewn all over our homes because cleanliness and repair are part of owning a home. Children and pets, however, may be exposed to toxic chemicals and cleaners that can seriously injury them if chemicals are not properly stored. All chemicals and cleaners need to be placed in cabinets where children cannot reach them. Lock cabinets if the kids are curious and carefully maintain the locked cabinet even when you’ve removed certain chemicals for cleaning or repair work. All cleaning products should be treated with the utmost care to keep the safety of children and pets in mind.
Enemy #6 Is Kitchen Fires: Stove Safety
Cooking in the kitchen is one of America’s favorite pastimes and most cooks are comfortable using an electric or gas stove and oven. Much like other appliances, however, anything that is heated over an element or an open flame is susceptible to creating a fire that builds up into a severe issue. And, kitchen fires can happen in just a few moments. Most fires occur when food is left unattended on the stovetop until it burns. Fires from a gas stovetop also occur when a dish cloth, apron or clothing is accidentally brushed over the flame. A cook’s hair can also catch on fire from a stovetop flame. All of these accidents suggest that the person cooking in the kitchen can use awareness to prevent fires by paying attention to these small details.