5 Simple Ways You Can Prevent Household Disasters

Last updated on December 29th, 2022 at 10:40 am

Whether you’re renting a studio apartment or have recently settled in a new house with your family, making sure your home is safe is absolutely paramount. Household accidents and disasters are all too common, whether caused by electricity, fire, plumbing, or other issues–and their consequences can be dire.

It’s imperative that you ensure everyone’s well-being for safe, stress-free living, particularly if you have young children at home. In that spirit, this handy guide has five clever ways to help you prevent household disasters.

5 Simple Ways You Can Prevent Household Disasters

1. Regularly Inspect Your Home’s Structure 

For starters, make it a point to check your home on a regular basis or have it inspected periodically, even if you live in a new build. Structural integrity is crucial when it comes to indoor safety, so a routine check will allow you to spot and fix any issues before it’s too late. 

Make sure to inspect the doors, windows, and floors for any cracks or faults. If you live in a house, conducting regular roof inspections will help keep your home safe and sound. Check out the condition of your attic and basement as well for any structural or humidity issues.

2. Check Your Household Appliances

You should keep in mind that defective home appliances are often the cause of household-related accidents. Whether that’s your water heater, refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer, or anything else, it isn’t uncommon for these machines to malfunction and cause short-circuits or even fire hazards.

For instance, although it’s built with strict safety standards, your dryer could start a house fire if lint builds up in the vent or filter. 

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To prevent this, after every use, remove the lint trap to clean it. Use a vacuum hose to make sure no lint remains inside or around the dryer.

3. Learn Basic Plumbing Skills

Residential plumbing problems can be a real pain, and the cost of repairs can add up quickly the longer you let a plumbing issue continue.

Not every homeowner or tenant will feel comfortable tackling a runny faucet, leak, or clogged tub on their own, but knowing how to deal with these issues quickly can help you avoid catastrophes later on, like leaky pipes ruining your floors and furniture as just one example. 

To prevent household disasters like indoor flooding, make sure to address any clogged drains. There are various ways you can do this, but usually pouring boiling water (carefully) down the drain should help unclog it. If the issue persists, you may want to ask a plumber to help take care of it and even advise you on other preventative measures you can take.

4. Ensure Your Products Are Labeled & Stored Correctly

Poisoning and chemical burns are some of the most common causes of household injuries. More often than not, the culprit is a bottle of cleaning product or prescription drugs that haven’t been stored properly. 

Make it a habit to always label all your medications, bug sprays and other chemicals, and cleaning products (e.g. detergent, acids, bleaches) and keep them in separate cupboards or cabinets. Set up a system that allows you to keep things organized; some basic research will point you towards plenty of guides to keep your home safe.

5. Secure Your Stairs

Accidental falls are quite common and often result in emergency trips to the emergency room. So, if you live in a multi-story home with children or seniors, your stairs should be fitted with reliable security features.

Make sure your stairs are well maintained and that you have proper balusters and handrails. This will keep everyone safe and allow you to enjoy some peace of mind while the children are playing.

All things considered, you can’t always prevent household disasters from happening. Problems can strike suddenly or creep up over time, leaving serious consequences in their wake. But, whether it’s a fire, electrical hazard, problems with appliances, poisoning scares, or falls, hopefully these useful tips will help you keep yourself and your family safer at home.

Also read:
4 Plumbing Tips for Homeowners That Will Save You Money
Print Your Free Basic Cleaning Checklist (+ 4 Reasons You Need One)
The 10 Best Books About Decluttering to Get You Motivated

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