7 Home Safety Tips That Could Save Your Life (That Nobody Talks About)
We all like to think of our home as the safest place on earth. It is where we lock the doors and finally relax after a long day. But sometimes our home may not be as safe as we think it is. I used to think safety was just about locking the front door and changing a lightbulb. It turns out there are subtle warning signs that your house gives you before something goes wrong. Learning to spot them is easier than you think.
That Weird Fishy Smell
If you walk into a room and smell something that reminds you of fish or urine, do not ignore it. Unless you are actually cooking seafood this is a major red flag. It is often the distinct scent of electrical components overheating and melting the plastic insulation on your wires. It means you could have an electrical fire brewing behind your walls. Call an electrician immediately to track down the smell because this is one scent that air freshener definitely cannot fix.
When The Wall Feels Warm
Go ahead and put your hand on the light switches or outlets in your home. They should always feel cool to the touch. If you find one that feels warm or hot it is a sign that the circuit is overloaded or the wiring inside is loose. This heat build up is often the first step toward an electrical fire. Do not wait for it to spark or smoke. Stop using that outlet right away and get a professional to look at it.
The Color Of Your Pilot Light
We do not look at our water heater or furnace often, but you should take a peek at the flame every now and then. You want to see a crisp blue flame. If the flame is yellow or orange it means the gas is not burning properly. This incomplete combustion can produce high levels of carbon monoxide, which is odorless and deadly. If you see a yellow flame you need to ventilate the area and call for service immediately.
Fighting Grease Fires
We all know not to put water on a grease fire, but in the panic of the moment it is hard to remember what to do. Water will make the oil explode and spread the fire instantly. You need to keep a box of baking soda within arm's reach of your stove. Baking soda releases carbon dioxide when it gets hot which smothers the flames. Flour might look similar but it can actually be explosive, so stick to the baking soda.
Dangerous Cleaning Mixes
It is tempting to mix cleaning products to get a super clean bathroom but you have to be very careful. Mixing bleach with anything containing ammonia creates a toxic gas called chloramine that can cause serious respiratory damage. Even something that seems as harmless as mixing bleach with vinegar can create chlorine gas. It is best to keep your cleaners in their original bottles and never mix them in a bucket. Store them separately to keep any accidental leaks from combining into a dangerous science experiment.
The Limits Of Your Power Strip
Power strips are convenient for lamps and phone chargers but they are not designed for heavy appliances. Plugging a space heater or a toaster oven into a power strip is a huge fire risk. These high wattage devices pull too much current for the strip to handle which causes it to melt or catch fire. Always plug your heavy appliances directly into the wall outlet to be safe. It is a small inconvenience that prevents a major disaster.
Your Smoke Detector Expires
You probably change the batteries in your smoke detectors when they chirp, but did you know the unit itself expires? Most sensors wear out after about ten years. And dust and age make them less sensitive to smoke which gives you less time to escape a fire. Take a look at the back of your detector for a manufacture date. If it is over a decade old, toss it out and buy a new one to ensure your family is truly protected.
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It can feel a little scary to think about these things, but knowing the risk is half the battle. You do not need to be paranoid to be safe. Just keeping these little tips in the back of your mind helps you spot problems before they turn into emergencies. Take a walk through your house this weekend with fresh eyes. A few minutes of checking things out gives you the peace of mind to truly be able to relax in your home.
Bliss Donahue-Power
