Take These Measures To Keep the Home and Family Safe!
August is National Wellness Month here in the U.S. – a month dedicated to practicing healthy habits, reducing sources of stress, and improving general health and well-being. A big part of Wellness Month is raising awareness of things that can pose health risks, many of which are in people’s homes.
A few of the most prominent - yet often overlooked - health risks in the average home include fires, carbon monoxide, and faulty electrical systems (which can lead to fires and electric shock). So this article will offer a few tips to help homeowners stay safe from these potential health threats – and enjoy greater peace of mind!
Check Smoke Detectors
Having working smoke detectors installed is one of the most important things homeowners can do for the safety of their families. A smoke detector is an early warning system to alert everyone in the house of a fire – and the earlier everyone evacuates, the better. After all, in a house fire, it’s not an overstatement to say that minutes and seconds can make the difference between life and death.
Smoke detectors should ideally be installed in every room (except the kitchen to reduce the likelihood of false alarms) or at the very least, right outside every sleeping area. All of the home’s smoke detectors should be interconnected so that when one gets activated, they sound the alarm. Some models must be hard-wired together, but there are wireless smoke detectors on the market that communicate with one another through radio waves. Homeowners should test their smoke detectors monthly and replace them every 10 years to ensure reliability.
Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
There’s a common misconception that smoke detectors can also detect carbon monoxide. This is not the case – only a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector is designed to detect both. Still, regular smoke detectors will not pick up CO. While not quite as common as house fires, carbon monoxide poisoning can be just as deadly. And since CO is virtually undetectable to the naked senses, an early warning system can save lives.
Carbon monoxide can be produced by any appliance or device in which fuel is burned (vehicles, generators, gas ranges, gas water heaters, fireplaces, etc.) and can reach fatal concentrations in minutes. A clogged fireplace flue, a gas generator too close to an open window, or a malfunctioning gas oven can all cause dangerous levels of CO in the home. So carbon monoxide detectors are essential to the health and safety of everyone in the house. As with smoke detectors, CO detectors should be installed throughout the home, tested monthly, and replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Schedule an Electrical Inspection
Last but not least, homeowners will want to make sure their electrical systems are up to code and in good working order. An electrical system that’s outdated, aging, damaged, or rife with shoddy work from well-meaning DIYers will pose the dual risks of fires and electric shock. So to ensure electrical safety, homeowners can schedule an inspection with a qualified electrician.
Electrical safety inspections are typically done before selling a home or when taking out a new homeowner’s insurance policy. But it’s also a good idea to get an electrical inspection after storm damage, before making renovations or new additions to the house, if the home is more than 20 years old (and hasn’t been inspected recently), or if homeowners are noticing issues with their electrical system (flickering lights, light bulbs burning out too quickly, breakers tripping frequently, etc.).
But even without these circumstances, it’s best to get an annual electrical inspection just to ensure everything is still holding up and meets the ever-changing electrical code. This will make for a safer home and greater peace of mind and mental well-being!
About All Services
All Services has handled Crown Point’s electrical, HVAC, and home service needs since 2006. Their licensed, insured, background-checked, and drug-tested technicians always arrive on time in fully-stocked trucks, ready to provide the award-winning service and workmanship they’re known for. They offer transparent flat-rate pricing, financing, a money-saving membership program, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee – so there’s no one better to call for an electrical service in Crown Point, IN!
