As a home owner, you make it your job to ensure the safety of everyone that occupies and visits your home. No matter how careful you are, there are hidden dangers lurking inside of your dwelling that you need to know about. Here are the top five:
1. Your Clothes Dryer
Have you ever stopped to consider that your clothes dryer could kill your family or burn down your house? According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC, tells us that the clothes dryer is one of the most dangerous appliances in the home. Always make sure that your lint trap is cleaned out before you start drying a load of laundry. Also be sure that your clothes are free of any flammable or combustible materials before you toss them in the machine.
2. Your Roof
A roof that is in ill-repair is not only in danger of collapse, but it can ruin your home. Inspect your roof periodically or have a professional do it for you. Inspect your roof at least once a year, preferably at winter’s end. Leaks left unchecked can damage your walls and structure before you’ve even noticed. By the time that you do, repairs are incredibly costly. Not to mention that mold growth can cause illness to run rampant throughout your home.
3. Your Fireplace
Fires are lovely on crisp fall evenings and serve to warm the house on cold winter days. However, many people neglect to have their chimneys serviced on a routine basis. The Chimney Safety Institute of America suggests that, along with cleaning your chimney regularly, you only burn fires using dry, seasoned wood. Resist the temptation to burn boxes, wrappings and other trash in your fireplace. These items do not burn as hot and cause build-up in your chimney much faster that dried woods.
4. Your Stove
Do you have good cooking habits? Wearing loose-fitting clothing while cooking is dangerous. Placing flammable items near hot burners is asking for disaster. Stoves and poor habits are one of the leading causes of house fires and related injuries. If a fire does break out on your stove, only use a chemical fire extinguisher to put it out. Pouring water on an open flame on your stove, especially one involving grease or oil, will only cause the fire to spread.
5. Your Garage
If you don’t have a garage, you can easily translate this danger to your shed. These areas of the home quickly become junk rooms for many home owners. Instead of storing those “I don’t know what to do with it” items inside of the home, many owners toss them in the garage where they will be out of sight. This causes a pile-up of junk that can easily catch fire or injure an unsuspecting child. Keep your garage, or shed, organized and tidy to prevent accidents.
You may think that you have the safest house on the block, but if you haven’t considered these hidden dangers, you’re wrong. Take a good look at your house and your habits. If you’re guilty of neglecting your roof, garage or chimney, get into a routine of checking, cleaning and repairing. If you don’t have the best safety habits in the kitchen or laundry room, start practicing better ones. You’ll not only help to prevent injury to yourself, but you’ll keep anyone inside of your home out of harm’s way.
Author Morton Jarvis is a blogger who writes articles about safety. Find ideas on keeping your family and home safe at http://safesoundfamily.com.
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