Four home hazards that you may not know about

March 29, 2024 62

4 home hazards that you may not know about — Partner Contributor | Heartland Newsfeed

You should always feel safe in your home, but that’s not always possible. Often, home hazards aren’t always visible. Here are four home hazards that you may not know about and what you can do to stop them.

Poor ventilation

Everyone needs to breathe easily. That’s why you should keep fresh air flowing and going through your home. Air quality depends on adequate ventilation, so take the time to open the windows and doors occasionally to get fresh air indoors. Use fans to keep the air moving, and regularly change your HVAC system’s filters. Otherwise, you can face issues like dust buildup, increased allergens, and even the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. If the air outside isn’t better, invest in an air purifier and keep the humidity at the right levels with a humidifier or dehumidifier.

Radon gas

Sometimes, people call radon the silent killer. The number one cause of lung cancer is smoking, but radon is the number two cause for smokers, and it’s the number one cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Radon gas results from the decay of radium deep inside the earth. The radon forms and rises through the many layers of soil, eventually reaching the surface and dissipating. Usually. Sometimes radon gas creeps into homes, collecting in the basement or other parts of the house. Not everyone who breathes in radon gets cancer, but if it’s in your home, it’s not a good situation. A radon mitigation system is the best course of action if you have radon in your home.

Dryer lint

Dryer lint is mostly harmless on its own, but if it builds up in the dryer’s lint trap, it turns into a potential tinder for a massive fire. Too much lint blocks the vent, causing the heat to rise, potentially igniting it and causing a blaze. Because dryers frequently occupy the basement and other out-of-the-way spaces, you might not catch a fire until it’s too late. After every load, clean out the lint trap. Some dryers have lint alarms that can warn you as well.

Expired fire extinguishers and detectors

Fire is swift, relentless, and unforgiving, especially if you forget to take steps and measures to catch it. Ensure you have smoke detectors installed at every level of the house and at strategic points, particularly around the kitchen and basement. Change the batteries before the detector begins to chirp out a warning as well. Fresh batteries can save lives. And if a fire does take place, ensure your fire extinguishers are full and up-to-date. You don’t want the sinking feeling of seeing a slow dribble from your extinguisher while facing down the beginnings of a conflagration!

Those are just four home hazards that you may not know about. Keep them in mind, and keep your family safe!