15 Hidden Dangers Lurking in Your Home You Didn’t Know About

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What should be our safe places turns out to be more dangerous than we thought. Yes, your homes may have danger hiding in plain sight than you probably know. These dangers are in the everyday objects you come across and use in your home.

This article reveals some things you never knew were dangerous in your home and outlines the precautionary measures you need to take.

Faulty Electrical Wiring

Old wiring does not have safety features that are common in wiring today. Frayed cords can cause shock and fire hazards for anyone. It is advisable to hire an electrician to check the electrical wiring in your home. Replace any of the older components to provide comfort for your family.

Gas Leaks

Gas can leak even though you cannot see it. It accumulates gradually and may cause explosion upon exposure to an ignition source. Keep a carbon monoxide detector installed in the vicinity of bedrooms. Clean service gas appliances and visually inspect exposed gas lines for wear and tear on a more frequent basis. Preventing catastrophes is possible if a problem is found prior to a leak.

Germs in Sponges

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Kitchen sponges, which are usually damp, foster mold, bacteria, and even parasites. They are moved from surfaces to hands. Clean them and replace them with new ones monthly or as often as necessary, depending on usage. Wash them in the microwave or dishwasher.

Medication Mix-ups

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Unorganized medicine cabinets sometimes trick people into taking the wrong pill container or wrong dosage. Candy coloured pills, could be taken by children, who mistook them for sweets. Store medications systematically and get rid of those that have gone bad. Store prescriptions away from children and toddlers.

Slippery Area Rugs

Throw rugs tend to slide when you try to move them. Stumbling on them leads to severe harm; not good for seniors. Rugs should be installed with the help of double sided tape or non-slip backing at base.

Wobbly Ceiling Fans

That ceiling fan that sways in place as it turns might one day become a ticking time bomb and come crashing on your head. Loosen the blade mounts or balance the blades if the movement is really wobbly and dangerous. Hire a professional for the installation of the more massive models since safety requires the ceiling fans to be affixed on beams.

Faulty Smoke Alarms

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Smoke alarms are an important source of early warning of home fires. So, those with removed batteries or expired ones alongside the ignored alarms won’t save you. Smoked alarms should be tested on a monthly basis. It’s important to replace units that are over 10 years old.

Outdated Fire Extinguishers

That red fire extinguisher is a mere fake security if it is empty or the extinguisher is out of date. Check pressure in extinguishers monthly. Replace those which are over 12 years or even older because the powder hardens with time. Place several newly charged units around your house and make sure that all those who will be using the units understand how best to use them.

Hazardous Household Cleaners

Those bottles of bleach, drain cleaner, oven cleaner under the sink are dangers. Simply put, child-resistant caps and warning labels are not enough any more. All powder, liquids and any product which can be detrimental to the health of children or pets should be locked away. Also, to avoid accidents when using the products, ensure you wear gloves and use the products as explained in the instructions.

Lead in Tap Water

Lead can enter your drinking water, as the toxic metal leaches from old pipes and plumbing fixtures in some homes. According to the National Institutes of Health, people that take in low lead levels over time are prone to long-term health issues. Test your tap water quality. Replace your water fixtures with certified lead-removal filters if needed for your families health.

Blocked Dryer Vents

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Blocked dryer vents do not exhaust hot and moist air and traps lint within the vent. Hence, there is a concern that flows of ventilation progressively decline, which in turn increases fire risks. Clean ducts with the help of the professional at least once a year. The flap at the outside dryer vent should be open when the dryer is on and close on its own after use.

Faulty Garage Doors

Automatic garage doors would stop from closing in cases where the path is blocked by an object. According to accessgaragedoors-cardiff.co.uk, if the sensors are bad, they might wrongfully indicate an obstructionwhich causes the door to remain open. Regularly inspect all layouts of a garage door and any damage or issues should be repaired before resulting in accidents.

Weak Guardrails

Social measures include railing around staircase, landing, patios, and decks to as to avoid terrible falls. Inspection of supports should occur yearly and any questionable or deteriorated railing in support of weight loads should be replaced or upgraded.

Deficient Insulation

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Lack of correct insulation means that heat is freely released in cold seasons, thus incurring more on heating costs. But a bigger danger lies between the four walls. Where insulation is damaged or missing, it allows mold growth to happen out of sight. During remodels of these rooms, check for any signs of material hidden behind wall panels. Improve insulation and bring it to the manufacturer’s standard which will save money and health.

Hidden Clutter

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When clutter accumulates in your home, it can obstruct exits and pathways, posing tripping hazards. It ma also hide some dangerous objects which can cause harm and injuries if you come in contact with them. And don’t get me started on germs and dust that would thrive in those piles, causing disease and allergic reactions.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.