Toxic cleaning goods, candles that are left unattended, and hot water temps that are set too high are examples of potentially hazardous objects. Using common sense, one may steer clear of many of these potential dangers. On the other hand, avoiding some threats in your house may need more ability, while other dangers may simply go unnoticed by you. What precisely do they consist of? Take a look at some of the things that are the most likely to be dangerous that you have lying about your house.
Outlet Power Strips
Power strips with several outlets are particularly helpful in houses where there are a limited number of outlets available due to the proliferation of electronic gadgets. They have certain use, but at the same time, there is a very real risk associated with using them. The Electrical Safety Foundation International warns that "constant use of an extension cord can cause the insulation to rapidly deteriorate, creating a dangerous shock and fire hazard." Although overloading an extension cord or power strip is a no-no, the Electrical Safety Foundation International warns that "constant use of an extension cord can cause the insulation to rapidly deteriorate, creating another no-no." Extension cables are responsible for around 3,300 house fires each year, which result in the injuries or deaths of more than 300 persons. Also, make it a habit to store your extension cords after each use; if they are left unattended in the vicinity of youngsters, they may be a suffocation or hanging danger for the children.
Heaters That Use Electricity
Although space heaters and electric heaters are often less costly than heating systems that warm the whole home, they are also the source of a significant number of house fires each year—more than 25,000, to be exact. The electricity authority recommends only purchasing space heaters that have been safety tested and approved, as well as those that have an emergency tip-over shutoff feature and heating element guards, in order to reduce the risk of a house fire being caused by a space heater. Space heaters should also have an emergency tip-over shutoff feature. And it goes without saying that kids and animals should never be left alone in the same room as a space heater.
Carpeting
Your carpeting may give off the impression that it is safe, but it is really giving off potentially harmful chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOC). These VOCs are generated by the glues and dyes that are included inside the carpet. It is not known very much about the particular chemicals that new carpets may release, and these emissions often decrease after a few days have passed, but it is essential to take this into consideration when you have carpet installed in your house. You should also keep in mind that carpet may trap pollutants such as dust mites, pet dander, mildew, and filth. All of these things can be detrimental to those who have respiratory sensitivities, so it is important to avoid having carpet in your home.
Keep the windows open for the first few days after installing new carpet to allow volatile organic compounds (VOC) to escape, and vacuum your carpeted floors on a regular basis to remove potential pollutants from the fibers. Doing these things will help you avoid potential hazards and keep your home safe. (You may also check out these five ways to save money when purchasing new flooring.)
You should also keep in mind that carpet may trap pollutants such as dust mites, pet dander, mildew, and filth. All of these things can be detrimental to those who have respiratory sensitivities, so it is important to avoid having carpet in your home.
Compressed Wood Products
You undoubtedly have a lot of questions about how the health risks associated with pressed wood might affect you and your family. In brief, we'll talk about formaldehyde. In addition to causing individuals to have watery eyes, burning feelings in the eyes and throat, and asthma episodes, the chemical, according to the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States, may cause people to have watery eyes. There is also evidence that it causes cancer in animals, and there is a possibility that prolonged exposure to it may cause cancer in people. In your house, you could have pressed-wood goods such as particleboard, fiberboard, hardwood plywood wall paneling, and even furniture created from these materials. If you have a plywood wall paneling, it's likely that it's hardwood plywood.
If you have pressed wood in your house and are suffering the health problems that are connected with exposure to pressed wood, you should speak with your primary care physician. However, the easiest approach to prevent these problems is to stay away from goods made of pressed wood or look for pressed wood that is certified for outdoor use. Regardless of how attractive the price may seem to be, you should investigate the item that you want to buy and determine whether or not it will be beneficial to both you and your family as a whole.
Clothes' Driers
There are two dangers associated with using a clothes dryer in the house. The first danger is a risk of entrapment for your children; thus, beginning at a young age, you should talk to them about how to be safe around appliances. The most typical danger associated with clothes dryers is the potential for a fire to break out as a result of a buildup of lint and a reduction in airflow. In order to prevent these dangers, you should always clear out the lint trap after each load of laundry, ensure that there is sufficient space between the dryer unit and the wall so that the vent duct is not blocked, and only use the dryer when you are present in the house and fully conscious. (Also check out: the Top 5 Dryers)
Mothballs
Mothballs aren't seen in as many houses as they previously were, but if you still have any of these little spheres of insecticide in your home, you should be aware of the dangers they provide. Because naphthalene "causes a breakdown of red blood cells in children with a genetic condition known as G6PD deficiency," pediatricians in Australia have called for a ban on naphthalene after it was linked to the death of one baby and brain damage in two others. The primary ingredient in mothballs is naphthalene. Another common component of mothballs is paradichlorobenzene, which has been associated with a variety of adverse health effects, including nauseousness, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and irritation of the eye and nasal membranes in humans, in addition to kidney and liver damage in animals. Before storing your garments, give them a good wash, let them air dry, and then give them a good shake. This will prevent moths from eating your clothing. Another option is to store your garments in containers that are airtight. In addition to this, you should vacuum the inside of any drawers and closets to remove any larvae that may be present.
Humidifiers
It is unclear whether or not using a humidifier as a treatment for a cold would be beneficial, but one thing is for certain: if the humidifier is not cleaned correctly, it will likely cause more problems than it will solve. When the water in a humidifier is allowed to stay for a lengthy amount of time without being changed, the water may get contaminated with mold spores, fungus, and bacteria. If you turn it on without first giving it a thorough cleaning, then all of those germs will be released into the air you breathe. To prevent this from happening, ensure that the water container is always emptied and cleaned after each use, and that you only replenish it with distilled water.
Paint that Contains Lead
Even though paint sold to consumers has not included lead for more than three decades, if your house was constructed before to 1978, there is a possibility that you might be exposed to lead-based paint from older paint that is still present on your walls, doors, baseboards, and window sills. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests arranging a paint inspection and risk assessment to examine your house for any lead paint that may still be hiding in the shadows. Doing so will help keep your family safe.
Polycarbonate plastics and their derivatives
The danger is negligible or nonexistent in the vast majority of applications for polycarbonate plastic, which is used to manufacture many different types of material products, like as lenses for eyeglasses, lightweight baggage, and computer cases. Everything is different, however, when food storage containers are made out of polycarbonate plastic instead of other materials. The fact that the chemical known as bisphenol A (BPA) gets degraded when it comes into contact with water is at the root of the debate. It was discovered via testing on animals that it was responsible for the expansion of the reproductive organs present in female mice. Many plastic food storage containers now include the claim that they do not contain any BPA because of the dangers that may be posed by this chemical.
Flammable Substances
Chemicals known as flame retardants are added to a wide range of goods in order to prevent those items from catching fire when they are exposed to heat or flame. These compounds are often discovered in children's products such as stuffed animals and beds, as well as in upholstery and other home furnishings. The Center for Environmental Health recently conducted tests on children's chairs, couches, and other furniture from major merchants and found that all of the samples, with the exception of four, had pollutants that have been related to cancer, birth abnormalities, reduced intelligence, and other issues. In order to make the most educated choice possible about the items you choose for your family and for your children, it is a good idea to keep up to speed on the debate that surrounds flame retardants, which is still relatively new.
The greatest piece of guidance that can be given at this time is to dust, vacuum, and clean on a regular basis since flame retardant chemicals are included in so many home furniture and goods, making it impossible to prevent their presence. By doing so, we may avoid the accumulation of harmful chemicals in the dust that we come into contact with and in the air that we breathe. (For more information on this topic, see also: Plants That Improve Indoor Air Quality.)
Do you have any more recommendations for potentially hazardous goods that may be found in a house that we might add to the list? Please let me know, and I will investigate them as soon as possible.