As a homeowner, you want your home to be safe for family and guests. To keep your living spaces comfortable and free of hazards, here are a few tips to make your home healthy and safe.
1. Maintain Working Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors to Make Your Home Healthy and Safe
Smoke detectors save lives by alerting you in case a fire breaks out in your home. Carbon monoxide detectors sound the alarm if the device detects a buildup of this deadly gas. Change the batteries in your devices every six months and test them every month. Most alarms will have a test button you can use to make sure the alarm still sounds. It’s a good idea to replace your detectors after 10 years of service.
2. Test For Radon
Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the soil. However, it can seep into a home and accumulate on lower levels of the building. Radon is odorless and tasteless, but poses a significant threat to the health and wellbeing of your family, as it is a leading cause of lung cancer. Test your home for radon every two or three years. If high levels of this gas are detected, hire a professional to install a mitigation system to make your home safer.
3. Keep Bushes and Hedges Trimmed
Bushes, hedges, and other plants that grow tall can impact your home’s security. Unchecked, excessive growth provides cover for potential intruders. A burglar may hide in the bushes waiting to access your house via a lower floor window. Shrubbery can also serve as a breeding ground for insects and other pests.
4. Have the Water Tested
The quality of your drinking water is affected by environmental pollutants and residue from aging pipes. Request a water quality report from your local municipality to learn about the contaminants in your tap water. You can also have your drinking water tested by a professional and sent to a lab. To improve the taste of your drinking water, purchase a water filtration system. There are many available that are specialized to remove certain types of pollutants.
5. Keep Your Home Healthy and Safe By Cleaning
Dirty homes cause more problems than just being unsightly. This is especially true if anyone in your household has allergies, but it can negatively impact the health of everyone living there. The buildup of mold, dust, and other irritants can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and even digestive upset. Keeping a clean house will improve your mental health as well, so be sure to clean regularly.
You don’t want your health to suffer due to an unclean, unsafe home. With just a little vigilance, you can keep your home healthy and safe.
Danny Inspections offers home inspection services and radon testing to the Chicago metropolitan area. If you’re buying or selling your home, contact us to schedule an appointment.