Care And Caution Before Calamity! Common Household Dangers We Have To Be Savvy About

Are you doing everything you can to protect your family? This may seem like a very loaded question, but what with the various security devices we have nowadays, we can feel that we are looking after our family and protecting them from thieves, as well as protecting our home, but as any parent knows, there are so many little dangerous that can cause numerous headaches on a daily basis. As well as this, there are a few silent killers that we've all got to be aware of. So let's run through some of the essentials we all need to know about in the home.

Carbon Monoxide

Truly one of the biggest silent killers we've all got to be aware of, carbon monoxide has no odor or color, making it incredibly difficult to detect. If the gas is inhaled over a long period of time, it can cause death or serious injury like brain damage, known as carbon monoxide poisoning. The causes of carbon monoxide poisoning can vary, such as gas fires, a cracked boiler, or even a kitchen unit that has been poorly installed. Symptoms of exposure include headaches and dizziness, but the more you are exposed to it, nausea and convulsions, and eventually, death will occur. Carbon monoxide detectors are an essential component of any modern home, but we can all be a bit lax when it comes to replacing the batteries of these items. And this is where a smart detector could make all the difference. You can have a look at this website for more information on carbon monoxide detectors that automatically get in contact with the fire department for help. As there are more than 20,000 emergency room visits in America every year due to carbon monoxide poisoning, you need to ensure that you've got a working carbon monoxide detector.

The Numerous Fire Hazards

It's the usual culprits when it comes to fire hazards, such as electrical wires that have been overloaded, sparks from the fireplace, as well as older appliances. But unattended cooking is one of the most dangerous. When we've got children demanding our attention, while we are hovering over the stove, all it takes is for our concentration to lapse, especially if we're cooking with oils, to cause a fire. And this is where we've got to be strict with regards to the dangers of cooking. We need to make sure that our children know that the cooking areas are out of bounds. You might have seen that picture of Pink cooking with her children by the stove? This is a key example of what not to do. And if you don't have smoke detectors in every room, this has to be priority number one. But as well as this, you need to test the smoke alarms on a regular basis and change the batteries every year.

Salmonella And E-Coli

If you handle a lot of raw food, especially when preparing evening meals, you can run the risk of these two bacteria affecting your intestinal tract. While salmonella and e-coli usually result from contamination before you buy the products, you still need to ensure you've got safe practices when it comes to handling raw meat. For example, washing your hands before and after handling food is the bare minimum. And always remember to cook meats to the safe temperatures as described on the packages. If you are exposed to these bacteria, symptoms can range from diarrhea to dehydration.

Mold

If you have any damp areas or poorly ventilated rooms, mold will most likely grow. It's important for you to conduct an adequate inspection of every wall in your property just in case, but if you have left it too late, getting rid of mold needs to be a priority. Exposure to mold can cause various allergic reactions, from congestion in the sinuses, a terrible cough, or even eye irritation. And if there are individuals in your house that are prone to asthma or respiratory problems, mold can trigger extreme reactions. To remove mold, you can use a non-ammonia cleaner or just dishwashing soap and water. When cleaning, be sure to protect yourself from any spores, and use an air cleaner afterward, such as one with a HEPA filter, to remove spores from the air.

Numerous Poisons

There are so many potential poisons in the home; not just household cleaners, but vitamins, pesticides, or even antihistamines! Since 1999, childhood deaths resulting from poisoning have doubled. To ensure that children don't get at these poisons, we've got to practice the art of keeping things locked up and safe. Pesticides, especially if you use them on a regular basis, need to be locked away from little hands. And when it's necessary, pesticides have to be used in a well-ventilated area. Be sure to use the products in accordance with the instructions on the label. If you use pesticides on a regular basis, exercise care and caution, and always wash your hands thoroughly afterward.

Appliance Mishaps

It's not just in relation to the electrics, but items like televisions and furniture, if they aren't anchored properly, can cause accidents or even death if they tip over. If you have a large flat screen television, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and mount it, and furniture should be attached to the wall with safety straps where necessary. While we cannot watch our children every single second, if they are prone to climbing, then we've got to identify which appliances and items of furniture are likely to tip over.

You don't want to think of your home as a deathtrap, but if you know the dangers, you can prevent them from happening. It's understandable because we're so busy, we can forget to look after the essential items in our home that can potentially cause danger. But the real solution is all about getting into the practice of assessing the potential dangers with every product. Now, you don't want to be constantly on edge, but if you have a better idea of what could happen, it will, at least, prepare you.