Hidden dangers in your home you should be aware of
A home is somewhere you should feel safe, and most of the time, you are. However, it is important to know some of the dangers that you need to be aware of and how to prevent them. That’s not to scare you, of course, but as with all things, it is much better to be safe than sorry.
Hidden dangers in your home you should be aware of
Your boiler and central heating
One thing you don’t want to mess around with is your heating system or boiler. A poorly maintained or badly fitted central heating system, boiler, or gas item can be really dangerous, so you should always go to a reputable engineer. Some dangers include carbon monoxide poisoning, explosions, and fires. High boiler pressure isn’t a major threat in normal circumstances, but it does rely on a pressure relief valve – if this valve jams or is faulty in any way, it could result in an issue. You might be wondering, “is low boiler pressure dangerous,” and in general, it’s not; however, it may lead to a leak, which could drip onto and break electrical parts, which is a big risk. It’s always best to tackle the issue before it snowballs into something worse.
Chemicals – Hidden dangers in your home you should be aware of
You might not think you have a lot of dangerous chemicals in your home, and in most cases, that would be correct; however, there are some items you use everyday that, if mixed, could be catastrophic. Although many influencers will show you them cleaning their houses with a concoction of different products, it can be really dangerous to mix cleaning supplies. For example, ammonia and bleach can cause damage to your throat, whilst vinegar and bleach can cause chemical burns to your eyes and lungs. Stick to using one cleaning product at a time to stay safe.
Falling furniture
This one is especially important if you have curious children. You should always ensure that big items of furniture, from drawers and wardrobes to bookcases and cabinets, are fixed to the wall securely to avoid tipping especially bookcase! Toddlers will climb up anything, and if something like this were to fall on them, it could be utterly catastrophic.
Electrical fire risks
It’s easy to get complacent, but with the risk of fire, it’s vital to stay alert. For example, cleaning the fluff out of your lint drawer in your tumble drier is super important, as it is incredibly flammable and could ignite when mixed with the heating element of the machine. If your charger wires are looking a bit frayed and unsafe, it’s time to throw them away and get them replaced, as this is a huge fire risk. Avoid running cords underneath rugs, and be aware of where you put any portable heaters, or candles, in regards to flammable textiles nearby!
For the most part, your house is a safe space, and many of us will never have an accident in the home. However, there are always risks, and it’s important to be aware of these and know how you can keep your house even safer for you and your family.
Hidden dangers in your home you should be aware of is a feature post – you might also find my post common problems in old homes to be useful
