It’s safe to say that every single one of us needs a place to live in. Our living spaces—whether it’s a house, an apartment, a condo, or any place where people choose to live—play a key role in our lives. They are considered a basic human need for that very reason.
Our living spaces provide us with protection against the harsh weather of the outside world. It is where we can feel safe and secure. Our homes are also where we rest and recuperate in our privacy. Apart from that, there are also societal dangers that our houses and living spaces protect us from.
While we recognize how our houses protect us from external peril, it is only fair to question our safety and security inside our homes. Are we potentially in danger inside our homes? And what can we do about it?
Can Your Own House Be Dangerous?
Unfortunately, yes, our houses can be dangerous. But this is not always the case. Do note that wherever you go, there is a potential danger. It’s just that some places have a lower risk of harm than others.
Accidents can still happen inside your house. To recognize that a potential danger inside your home exists is the first step into making it better and safer.
Home Accidents
Your house can still be a place for accidents. Some of these accidents are caused by human error, while others are caused by problems because of the house itself.
House Fires
One of these incidents is house fires. Fires can be fatal and can cost you a huge sum of money. What makes house fires very dangerous is their ability to spread to all rooms of the house, endangering everyone living in it. These fires also have fumes that can damage your lungs.
House fires can be caused by plenty of things. One common cause is errors in cooking. Stoves are essentially open fires that can be dangerous when uncontrolled. Forgotten ovens may also be as dangerous when unattended.
Appliances and wiring can also cause house fires. Faulty or outdated wiring is at a higher risk of causing fires. Appliances such as space heaters can also cause fires when left unattended for long periods.
Gas leaks can also cause fire when ignited. These are more dangerous forms of causes since gas is virtually invisible.
Risks of Falling
Accidents that involve falling can also happen inside your home. Fatal falls can happen to anyone. This typically happens on stairs and platforms. Around a million Americans sustain injuries from stairs.
Stairs are already a risk, given their ascending nature. With that, the staircase and the areas near it must have precautionary measures to lower the risks of accidents.
Drowning
If you live in a house with a swimming pool, there will be a risk of drownings. Around 3960 Americans experience fatal drowning each year. This is also one of the leading causes of death for children outside of congenital disabilities.
With that, it is imperative to practice swimming safely, especially in residential swimming pools that are highly accessible to homeowners.
What You Can Do
While some of these accidents can be fatal, they can also be avoidable. There are things that you can do as a homeowner to lessen the risk of these accidents.
Home Maintenance
Similar to how the human body would work, a house needs to be well-maintained to remain functional. This means keeping up with the repairs of the house and the general cleanliness of the structure.
To make sure that all house functions keep running, you have to keep up with its regular repairs. Always be on the lookout for anything that needs fixing. If you spot an area that needs repair, attend to it as soon as you can. Fixing these damages while they are still small can prevent them from worsening.
The good thing about repairs is that some of them can be done by the homeowners themselves. But for bigger and more crucial repairs such as roofing or electric wiring, it is best to work with professional contractors to ensure that the job is done right and that no further complications can arise.
Safety Habits and Precautions
You may also practice safety habits and precautions that avoid any accidents in the house. This includes installing guard rails around the stairs second floor. You can also change your flooring with less slippery materials. Also, practice covering the pool when not in use and avoid any reckless behavior that may lead to injury.
Homeowners should always be wary of fire dangers. This means not leaving stoves and ovens unattended and turning off appliances that may cause fires such as heaters and flat irons.
Safety inside your safe space must be upheld. With that, you must make sure your house is as safe as it can be. Always remember that the best home is a safe one.
