{"id":6817,"date":"2021-06-07T16:25:52","date_gmt":"2021-06-07T16:25:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alternatech.net\/?p=6817"},"modified":"2021-06-07T16:25:52","modified_gmt":"2021-06-07T16:25:52","slug":"11-home-hazards-that-you-really-shouldnt-ignore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/11-home-hazards-that-you-really-shouldnt-ignore\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Home Hazards That You Really Shouldn&rsquo;t Ignore"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>In fact, there are numerous hidden hazards around your house. You probably never thought much about the following home hazards creeping up in your life.\n<h4>1. Ditch the clutter, especially on stairs\n</h4><p><img fetchpriority='\"high\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"size-full' wp-image-6819 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/home-hazards1.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"768\"' height='\"512\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/home-hazards1.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><p>Nearly half of all falling deaths occur on steps and stairways. Keeping the steps clutter-free seems obvious, but take a look at your own steps (especially those leading down to the basement).\n</p><p>It\u2019s easy to use the steps as semipermanent storage, but it\u2019s a very dangerous habit. Odds are that eventually, someone is going to trip over something and break an arm or leg (or neck). Don\u2019t set anything on the steps.\n</p><h4>2. Make windows safe for kids\n</h4><p><img decoding='\"async\"' class='\"size-full' wp-image-6820 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/home-hazards2.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"768\"' height='\"531\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/home-hazards2.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><p>Each year in the United States nearly 15,000 children are injured because of falls from windows. Window screens are not strong enough to prevent falls. In rooms on upper floors, install window guards with quick-release mechanisms (in case of fire) to prevent windows from opening more than a few inches. And keep furniture away from windows so kids aren\u2019t tempted to climb near them. Window guards are available from safebeginnings.com and other online retailers, home centers, and department stores.\n</p><h4>3. Potential gas water heater fire\n</h4><p><img decoding='\"async\"' class='\"size-full' wp-image-6821 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/home-hazards3.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"696\"' height='\"463\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/home-hazards3.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><p>Clothes piled too close to a gas water heater can ignite when the water heater comes on. The protective doors for the gas burners are missing. Appliances (clothes dryers and gas water heaters) cause 7 percent of home fires and 4 percent of deaths. After problems with stoves and heaters, the biggest culprits in appliance fires are lint in dryers and combustibles near gas water heaters.\n</p><h4>4. Antiques\n</h4><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"size-full' wp-image-6822 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/home-hazards4.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"768\"' height='\"512\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/home-hazards4.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><p>The old wiring of antique appliances makes them a safety risk because the wiring dries and becomes brittle, which could fuel a fire. For those who especially love shopping for vintage light fixtures, it\u2019s imperative to know how old the wiring is, if the wiring has been replaced, and whether the wiring is European or from the United States. Look for a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) label somewhere on the wiring for a quick reference to see if it\u2019s safe. UL tests lighting fixtures for safety.\n</p><h4>5. Dryer lint\n</h4><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"size-full' wp-image-6823 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/home-hazards5.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"768\"' height='\"512\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/home-hazards5.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><p>Every year, nearly 25,000 dryer fires cause millions of dollars in damage and hundreds of injuries, some fatal. Dryer fires start when built-up lint near the motor, gas burners, or heating elements catch on fire. This fire can then spread to ignite lint in the vent pipe.\n</p><h4>6. Loose outlets\n</h4><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"size-full' wp-image-6824 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/home-hazards6.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"696\"' height='\"462\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/home-hazards6.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><p>The constant movement of loose electrical outlets can loosen the wires connected to the outlet and create dangerous arcing. Luckily, the fix is simple.\n</p><h4>7. Paper\n</h4><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"size-full' wp-image-6825 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/home-hazards7.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"768\"' height='\"512\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/home-hazards7.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><p>It should go without saying that paper is a huge contributor to home fires, but it\u2019s the location of those papers that people don\u2019t pay close enough attention to at home. Newspaper in the garage near the gas tank for the lawnmower is a common ignition source.\n</p><h4>8. Mirrors\n</h4><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"size-full' wp-image-6826 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/home-hazards8.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"696\"' height='\"464\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/home-hazards8.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><p>While errant papers may seem like an obvious source of home fires, you may be surprised to discover another potential fire starter\u2014mirrors. That\u2019s right, mirrors can reflect the sun, concentrating it on a particular spot, making it a fire hazard. Magnifying makeup mirrors are particularly dangerous. Keep your mirrors away from windows and out of direct sunlight, if possible.\n</p><h4>9. Install low-pile carpet\n</h4><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"size-full' wp-image-6827 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/home-hazards9.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"696\"' height='\"464\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/home-hazards9.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><p>A thick carpet pile over a thick pad is the worst for anyone who is unstable walking\u2014it increases the likelihood of tripping and falling. It also makes it more difficult to push and maneuver wheelchairs and walkers. To make getting around easier, consider installing a low-profile commercial-grade \u201clevel loop\u201d or \u201ccut pile\u201d carpet with a pile height of no more than 1\/2 in. and a 1\/4-in. (10-lb. density) pad.\n</p><h4>10. Exercise equipment\n</h4><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"size-full' wp-image-6828 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/home-hazards10.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"696\"' height='\"464\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/home-hazards10.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><p>Exercise equipment\u2014and their power cords\u2014can be unexpected household hazards. In fact, exercise machines like treadmills and stationary bikes injure more than 25,000 children each year, says CNN. And many of those injuries are related to the power cords of the machines. They can cause tripping and electrical burns, and, for children, can be a strangulation danger. Keeping children out of rooms with such equipment is key, and make sure to unplug the machines and keep the cords safely stowed away when you can.\n</p><h4>11. Poisonous house plants\n</h4><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"size-full' wp-image-6829 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/home-hazards11.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"696\"' height='\"466\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/home-hazards11.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><p>As common as these plants are, certain varieties of lilies, ivies, and other houseplants can be harmful to pets or humans, or both. Stay aware of which plants have the potential to be dangerous, and be sure to keep them out of reach. That way you can take advantage of the benefits of having plants, like air purification and visual interest.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"</p><p>In fact, there are numerous hidden hazards around your house. You probably never thought much about the following home hazards creeping up in your life. 1. Ditch the clutter, especially on stairs Nearly half of all falling deaths occur on steps and stairways. Keeping the steps clutter-free seems obvious, but take a look at your\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6818,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"In fact, there are numerous hidden hazards around your house. 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