A safe home is a happy home. Whether you have a family or not, you want to be living in a place that is safe (even if you live on your own). Homes aren’t automatically safe. You need to put a little something into your living situation to make a safe home.
When was the last time you check your smoke detectors? When was the last time you heard from your city about the conditions of the water being pumped into your house? These are part of your safety, on a day-to-day basis, as a homeowner.
Talk To Your City About Water And Waste
City water can often have some pretty scary things in it, from lead to arsenic. You can look at the recent history of the water system in Flint, Michigan, to get an idea of how bad a city’s water system can really be. Towns and cities of all sizes have water treatment places and testing they do on drinking and waste water, and you have a right to know what they are doing and what they are finding, as a resident.
If you live in a town with a dump, you may be at risk for groundwater contamination and even air contamination. Do some research and know what you’re risking by living in such a place.
Have Lead And Asbestos Inspections Done
Before you even buy a home you should find out if it has any lead or asbestos in it. These things don’t really pose a threat unless you’re ingesting them, or in the case of asbestos, breathing them in. But it is still wise to know that they exist in your home.
Invest In A Radon Detector And A Carbon Monoxide Detector
Your walls, floors, and ceiling aren’t the only things that pose a risk when it comes to things that could be poisonous to you and your family. If you don’t have a radon detector and a carbon monoxide detector you could be risking your life. It’s also important to get your heater inspected every year before it’s time to kick it on for the winter.
Check Your Smoke Detectors
There are many things that can cause a house fire, and one fire can destroy your home, everything you own and even risk your life, and that of your family members. This is why it is important to have smoke detectors throughout your home. Don’t just hook them up and forget them, check them every six months to do a test and make sure they work. Change out batteries yearly.
It also pays to have a fire extinguisher as well. When you purchase one (a small one is good for an apartment or one bedroom home, but you may need a bigger one or a couple for a larger home) it will come with information on how often it should be inspected.