Common Household Hazards
Not Enough Smoke Detectors
- You might not be alerted to a fire if you have too few of them or they're too far away.
- They should be on every level of the house, inside every bedroom & just outside any
bedroom areas as well. - It's best if you connect them so that when 1 alarm goes off, they all go off.
- Test them once a month to make sure they still work, change the batteries every 6
months & replace each device every 10 years.
Batteries
- Small kids might swallow tiny 'button' batteries used in electronics so get to a hospital
if that happens. - Nine-volt batteries, when out of the package, are a fire hazard because the connection
points are close together. - If they touch metal like paper clips or steel wool, the battery can heat up & catch fire.
- To stay safe, cover the connection points with electrical or duct tape.
Lint in Your Clothes Dryer
- Dryers cause 3,000 fires every year.
- The leading culprit is Lint.
- Remove it from the filter before each load of laundry.
- Once a year, clean the vent tube that sends air outside.
- Hire a service if you're not sure how.
- Replace your vent tube if it's an 'accordion-style' because lint can build up in the folds.
Tipped Over TVs
- It's a problem for everyone, but especially kids.
- It makes sense when you learn that a 65-inch flat-screen weighs around 70 pounds.
- Don't put your TV on furniture that feels unstable.
- Avoid TV stands with drawers, which kids can pull out and climb up.
- To be extra safe, mount the TV with bolts into the studs of the wall or secure it with
special 'anti-tipping' straps.
Gas Furnace
- A healthy furnace makes a little carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas you can't see or
smell, that leaves the house through a vent. - A poorly-kept furnace is a fire hazard & can put deadly amounts of the gas into your home.
- Change the filter regularly & keep the furnace area clean.
- A certified technician should check your unit every year, especially for cracks that you
may not be able to see with the naked eye
Missing a Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Gas furnaces aren't the only source of carbon monoxide.
- Clothes dryers, water heaters, fireplaces, gas stoves, cars, grills & lawn equipment all
make it. - Get to a hospital if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Symptoms can seem like the flu. Install a carbon monoxide detector & properly vent
anything that burns fuel inside. - Never use outdoor equipment in your house.
Too Much Clutter
- Kids & grown-ups alike can easily trip on things you leave strewn around the house.
- So make sure you tuck away cords, rugs, toys & pillows.
- Keep stairs & hallways well lit & outdoor walkways clear of puddles & ice.
Swimming Pools
- A pool without a fence is a drowning hazard for children.
- Put up a barrier that's at least 4 feet high, along with child proof latches.
- Alarms on all doors that lead to the pool can also help.
- Pool covers give another layer of protection, but keep the controls hidden away.
Space Heaters
- It pays to get newer models, which have more safety features.
- Pick one that has a 'UL' label, a safety certification that's recognized by the U.S.
government. - Make sure it's the right size for the room that you want to heat.
- Get one with a safety switch that turns the machine off when it's knocked over.
- Put it on a level surface away from areas where people often walk.
Guns
- Tragic accidents can happen when you don't store a gun safely.
- Kids can get hold of them & so can a family member with suicidal thoughts.
- Keep all your weapons unloaded & put them in a locked vault, cabinet or storage case.
- Lock up the bullets in a separate place & keep the keys well hidden.
Furniture Upholstery
- A lot of house fires start out on a comfy couch.
- Smoking while you're lounging around is a common cause.
- Take care with cigarettes, pipes & cigars, as well as candles, space heaters & lighters, especially when kids are around.
Opioids
- The painkillers in your medicine cabinet can be risky.
- There's a chance you or someone in your family can get addicted or have an overdose.
- Never take more than your doctor tells you & don't share with other people.
- Keep your pills locked away & hidden from sight.
- Ask your doctor about the right way to get rid of extras.
Radon Gas
- You can't smell it or see it, but it can lead to lung cancer.
- It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock & water & can get into your
house through cracks in floors & walls & gaps made by plumbing pipes & electrical wiring. - About 1 in 15 homes has high levels.
- You can check for radon with a home test kit or ask a professional.
Ladder
- If you don't follow safety tips, you can easily fall & get seriously hurt.
- Choose the right ladder for the task & learn how to use it properly.
- Place the base on firm, solid ground & avoid wet, slippery, or soft surfaces.
- No matter how often you use it, pay attention to what you are doing with every
single step. - If it's windy, rainy, wet, or muddy, don't climb.
- Put off your work until the weather is safe.
Mold
- This fungus puts tiny spores into the air that can cause breathing problems, asthma &
other allergies. - It loves fresh foods, plants & damp areas like basements, sinks, toilets & bathtubs.
- Clean the kitchen often, especially refrigerator bins & seals.
- Quickly fix any leaks in your home.
- Wash fresh fruits & veggies before you put them away & throw them out before they start
to get moldy.
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