Identifying Dangers in Your Albuquerque Home
As they say, your home is your castle. It’s a place where you feel safe and secure. As such, homeowners tend to overlook the very things that can make their home unsafe. Many accidents occur in the home that can seriously injure or even kill people. And it’s not just children or the elderly. Accidents in the home claim 18,000 lives each year in America alone, accounting for 21 million medical visits annually. Many of these accidents are preventable.
Here are some trouble areas to keep an eye on in your Albuquerque home to make your life safer.
Dryer vents
Thousands of house fires start each year because of neglected dryer maintenance. You may clean out the lint screen, but the lint that accumulates in the vent is more dangerous. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) recommends cleaning or having a professional inspect your dryer vent's lint every two to three years. It’s also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher near your dryer in case a fire breaks out.
Falls
A third of all fatalities that occur in the home are from falls. Old age plays a large role in many of them, but people of all ages are also affected. Safety gates are an obvious safety precaution with little ones, and grab bars will provide a safety boost for older individuals. Keeping an eye on wet areas, such as the shower and bath, and particularly in front of the sink, can help with slips. Installing non-slip rug pads under area rugs to keep them in place is key to preventing falls.
Blinds
It is horrifying to think that a young child could be strangled due to blind cords. But it happens. By choosing cordless blinds, you can eliminate the worries without having to give up the look and room-darkening features you want.
Fire alarms
When was the last time you changed your fire alarm batteries? If you can't recall, it's time to do it. Make sure every level of your home has smoke alarms, and check and change the batteries at least once a year. Consider a smart smoke detector such as Nest Protect, which uses Wi-Fi to provide real-time updates and remote monitoring right on a smartphone or other mobile device.
A dirty oven
Most ovens nowadays have a self-cleaning feature. While it is not pleasant to endure the smell as it works, it far outweighs the alternative given that 40 percent of fires begin in the kitchen.
Make sure to clean your oven regularly and always watch what you're cooking. Always check to make sure burners are turned off after cooking on the stove top.
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer because it can cause serious health problems if not recognized until symptoms occur. It is an odorless, tasteless, colourless gas. You cannot see it or smell it.
Smoke detectors are prevalent in homes, but even though a carbon monoxide alarm can assist in the prevention of death, owners are often left to purchase and install them. Each year in the United States, more than 200 accidental deaths are caused by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. It is considered the leading cause of death from poisoning in the United States.
Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.
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