There is so much to think about for someone who is doing their best to protect their family. If there are children in your family, this is something you have often thought about. Observances have been set up at certain times of the year to encourage people to think about how to keep their families as safe as possible. Home Safety Month is in June each year. For all you fellow parents out there, here are what I believe to be the top five hidden home dangers, along with my stay-safe solutions.
Invisible and deadly, carbon monoxide is the silent killer. You can't see it, and you can't smell it, but carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning. This gas can be produced in many ways, from a car running in a garage seeping into the home, to fireplaces, and also appliances that are malfunctioning.
The only real way to protect you and your family from this danger is to get a carbon monoxide alarm. These should be installed on every level of the home, including the basement, and outside each sleeping area. Check with your fire department to see what local and state laws require in terms of placement. Have all of your appliances inspected periodically.
Fire extinguishers are essential. Unattended cooking is the main reason behind home fires, so start by staying in the kitchen when you're using the stovetop, checking food frequently when it's in the oven, and keeping the range clear of anything that can catch fire.
Foundation cracks don't sound scary but they can be deadly. Radon is something that most homeowners have no idea about, but it is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. Radon is also odourless, and it is a radioactive gas that can move through the ground and seep into the home through the cracks in the foundation. Even if you don't have a basement, radon can still enter your home through cracks around service pipes and construction joints.
It's invisible and has no scent, but it can be tested for with a kit that can be purchased.
Most people have no idea how quickly fires can spread in the home. If a smoke alarm is beeping, there can sometimes be only around 2 minutes to get your family together and exit the home before it spreads too far to exit safely. The smoke alarm will typically provide you with some time to escape, but you must also have a plan for your family to follow in such an emergency. In a recent survey, it was indicated that only 29 percent of families have gone over their emergency exit strategy.
Home theft is something that's frequently overlooked. You might think it'll never happen to you, but the reality is that a home is broken into every 14 seconds. There are basic ways to deter burglars from getting inside your home: install solid core entry doors with sturdy deadbolt locks; entries that are well-lit; basement windows should be fitted with metal grates; also, bushes outside the home should be neatly groomed to reduce hiding places. But you'll enjoy extra piece of mind by storing your most valuable possessions in a safe.
Invisible and deadly, carbon monoxide is the silent killer. You can't see it, and you can't smell it, but carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning. This gas can be produced in many ways, from a car running in a garage seeping into the home, to fireplaces, and also appliances that are malfunctioning.
The only real way to protect you and your family from this danger is to get a carbon monoxide alarm. These should be installed on every level of the home, including the basement, and outside each sleeping area. Check with your fire department to see what local and state laws require in terms of placement. Have all of your appliances inspected periodically.
Fire extinguishers are essential. Unattended cooking is the main reason behind home fires, so start by staying in the kitchen when you're using the stovetop, checking food frequently when it's in the oven, and keeping the range clear of anything that can catch fire.
Foundation cracks don't sound scary but they can be deadly. Radon is something that most homeowners have no idea about, but it is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. Radon is also odourless, and it is a radioactive gas that can move through the ground and seep into the home through the cracks in the foundation. Even if you don't have a basement, radon can still enter your home through cracks around service pipes and construction joints.
It's invisible and has no scent, but it can be tested for with a kit that can be purchased.
Most people have no idea how quickly fires can spread in the home. If a smoke alarm is beeping, there can sometimes be only around 2 minutes to get your family together and exit the home before it spreads too far to exit safely. The smoke alarm will typically provide you with some time to escape, but you must also have a plan for your family to follow in such an emergency. In a recent survey, it was indicated that only 29 percent of families have gone over their emergency exit strategy.
Home theft is something that's frequently overlooked. You might think it'll never happen to you, but the reality is that a home is broken into every 14 seconds. There are basic ways to deter burglars from getting inside your home: install solid core entry doors with sturdy deadbolt locks; entries that are well-lit; basement windows should be fitted with metal grates; also, bushes outside the home should be neatly groomed to reduce hiding places. But you'll enjoy extra piece of mind by storing your most valuable possessions in a safe.
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