You saved for years to afford your dream home. It has the kitchen you've always longed for, the perfect number of bedrooms, and a backyard that would make any space-loving squirrel jealous. However, lurking inside your home are dangers, hidden like villains ready to strike. Check out these ways your house might actually be trying to kill you and get some ideas for stopping it in its tracks.
1. Beware of Your Window Treatment Cords
One of the most dangerous places in your home is hiding in plain sight. Each month, a child dies due to strangulation from window cords, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
If possible, houses should transition to cordless blinds and window treatments. If switching to a cordless option isn't in your budget, make sure cords are tethered and kept out of reach of children. Install a simple bracket to tie off window treatment cords; make it a habit to keep the ends wrapped up.
2. A Dangerous Oasis in the Desert — Humidifiers
Without proper use and maintenance, your beloved humidifier can turn your home into a breeding ground for toxic mold. If you run your humidifier continuously, the additional moisture can build up on surfaces — leading to accelerated mold growth.
Try to limit the use of your humidifier to a few hours each day and take care to clean surfaces with mold-killing cleaners.
3. Poor-Quality Work and Lack of Permits
"The risk with unpermitted work is that if there is an issue down the road, even years later, and the homeowner files a claim, an insurance company will investigate," says Association of Construction Inspectors Welmoed Sisson.
According to the Center For Disease Control, falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. Sisson recommends any flight of stairs with more than three steps should have a solid, graspable handrail installed at the correct height. It should be firmly anchored so it can take the weight of a person trying to protect themselves from a fall.
4. The Aftermath of Leaking Pipes
"One of the biggest dangers that homeowners often forget about is behind the walls. Those pipes that send water throughout the home are susceptible to freezing or bursting," according to Mitchell Klein, Z-Wave Alliance executive director.
And due to their hidden nature, you may not realize you have a problem with a burst or leaking pipe until a decent amount of water accumulates.
5. The Stuff in Your House
You love the layout and just-so accents of your living room. You painstakingly picked out the hand-woven wool rug that compliments the rugged armchair passed down from your grandparents.
Everything has its place and looks amazing—— until you catch your foot on the edge of the rug and go flying head-first into your perfectly positioned coffee table. Every year, at least 800,000 people are hospitalized due to a fall in the home.
Most falls are preventable with a few simple adjustments:
Secure rugs and carpeting to the floor
Remove clutter and unnecessary items
Store shoes, bags, and coats in a closet
Create proper spacing between furniture and decor
Ensure adequate indoor lighting
