Our homes are supposed to be havens from the hustle and bustle of the outdoors. But, in every home, there are hidden dangers. Here are four of the most common of those dangers, and what you can do about them to keep your home – and those that live in it – safe.
Image by Kenny Louie via Flickr
1: Carbon Monoxide
You won’t see or smell carbon monoxide when it poisons you. You could get very ill and, in extreme cases, it could even take your life. Carbon monoxide occurs naturally in most things that are used for heating in the home, including gas water heaters, stoves, wall heaters, and fireplaces. It also comes from cigarette smoke – so another good reason to kick the habit. A little bit of carbon monoxide is OK, but if it reaches certain levels, then things can get dangerous. All of your heating equipment needs to be working properly and have ventilation. You should also get a carbon monoxide alarm to let you know when it has reached dangerous levels.
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2: Bacteria
E-coli and salmonella are just two of the types of bacteria that are found in the home. Anywhere that has contact with food can become a breeding ground for nasty little life forms that can make you seriously ill. Make sure you are regularly cleaning wherever you enjoy preparing and eating food. Also, think very carefully about your bathroom. You might have the cleanest toilet in the world, but how clean is everything else? Whenever you flush the toilet, the rush of water can splash tiny amounts of whatever was in there up and all over the place. And if you keep your toothbrush near the toilet, that doesn’t bear thinking about.
3: Subsidence
Imagine your home crumbling down around you all of a sudden. The likelihood is that it is subsidence that has caused it. And you may not even realize it before it is too late. Look out for major cracks in your home, and keep an eye on things externally. If you see any evidence at all that your home is moving, then you will need to get in professional help. Find some foundation repair pros in your area that have been trained to carry out the work.
4: Air Quality
Does the area you live in suffer from poor air quality? If so, then some of those nasty pollutants may be getting into your home. And pollution isn’t just a problem for air, either. It ends up in the dust that lands on windows, floors, and anything else that gets in its way. Your best bet to tackle this might seem counterintuitive. A good airflow is required to keep that dust and pollution moving through your house, rather than bedding down in it. Clean your drapes, dust regularly to wipe up the dust as often as possible. And don’t forget to clean the couch, too. A lot of stuff can get in the folds!
Image by Philips Communications via Flickr
With any luck, none of these issues will manifest themselves n your home. But at least you will know what to do if they do turn up at any stage! Don’t forget to share any experiences in the comments section below…