Making your home safer and healthier
Your family home should be a safe space. It should be a place where you can bring up your kids to be healthy happy adults. Unfortunately, for too many of us, our homes are far from being the safe havens we would imagine. They’re filled with potential dangers like boiling water, toxic substances and dodgy wiring that could potentially make us sick or cause an accident. So, even if you think your home is a pretty safe, healthy place to be, it’s worth doing what you can to make it even healthier. Here are some tips to help you do just that:
Check Your Hot Water Heater
We all know that leaving young children alone in the bath is a bad idea because they could drown, but few of us think too much about the possibility of scalding, Unfortunately, many kids are burned by too hot bath water each year, and although most of them are not too badly affected, some will experience significant injuries. That’s why, if you have a baby or toddler in the house, it’s a good idea to check the temperature of your water heater. 120 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal because temperatures above that could scald a child in as little as 5 seconds!
Secure Your Windows
It’s shocking, but thousands of children each year are injured falling out of windows. That’s why it’s never a bad idea to install window guards on any windows that could be accessed by small children. Of course, you want to be able to open your windows quickly in the case of fire, so you should look for guards that are quick-release, just in case.
Remove Asbestos
It’s unbelievable how many homes and sheds in this country still contain asbestos. Once a popular building material due to its fire-resistant properties, asbestos is known to cause a range of devastating illnesses, including lung cancer and asbestosis. If you suspect you may have asbestos on your property, it’s important that you call in the professionals to remove it safely from your home.
Look Out for Faulty Wiring
Faulty wiring is a disaster waiting to happen. It can cause fires and electric shocks if left unattended to. Tell-tale signs of faulty wiring include flickering lights, circuit breakers, and fuses that go out on a regular basis, switches that give off shocks and burning smells. If you notice any of these things, call in a local electrician to take a look. Better safe than sorry when it comes to your family’s safety, after all.
Decorate with Chemical Free Paint
There’s nothing more satisfying that freshly painted walls that are all clean and new. Of course, the average can of paint contains all manner of toxins, which h won’t exactly do you or your family much good when breathed in. If you want your home to be as toxin free as possible, it is, therefore, a good idea to use eco-friendly chemical-free paint. Sure, they’re a little more expensive, but they’re so worth it, if only because you don’t have to put up with that horrible paint smell for days after decorating.
Install and Test Smoke Alarms
If you don’t already have smoke alarms installed in your home, please, please go out and buy some right now. A functioning smoke alarm really could save yours and your family’s lives at some point. You might think that a fire could never break out at your home, but most people who’ve had house fires think that too. It can and does happen to anyone so take precautions by installing and regularly testing an alarm today.
Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector
While you’re buying that smoke alarm, pick up a carbon monoxide detector too. Carbon monoxide is so dangerous because it’s odourless and it can creep up on you without noticing. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include a headache, dizziness, and nausea and if you are exposed to it for long enough, you could die. Protect your family by installing a detector as soon as possible.
Keep the Place Clean
I know most of us hate doing household chores, but keeping your home clean and tidy is one of the best ways to prevent sickness bugs, food poisoning, allergies and the worsening of conditions like asthma. You don’t need to keep your house spotlessly clean, but don’t neglect it either or it could become a breeding ground for all kinds of nasties.
It might seem like a lot of work, but periodically checking up on your property and making any relevant changes will help you to maintain a safe, comfortable and very healthy home.
