6 Ways Your House May Be Trying to Kill You

Home sweet home may feel like the safest of places, but there are plenty of things around the house that can threaten your safety and well-being if unattended. This Halloween season, make sure you don’t fall victim to any of the following…

• Carbon monoxide. Nearly 200 Americans die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning, and improperly ventilated fuel burning appliances, like gas ranges, water heaters, and furnaces are the most common culprits. Improperly cleaned chimneys can also cause smoke to circulate throughout the home and result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure vent pipes are angled up and free of any gaps or cracks, and have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually. And last, but not least — buy a carbon monoxide detector. They’re inexpensive and easy to install.
• Electrical systems. Home electrocutions kill around 1,000 Americans each year. Does your home have GFCI outlets near water sources? Do light bulbs burn out frequently? Don’t try to fix these issues yourself — you could do damage that results in death or injury to you or your family or causes serious building code violations when you go to sell your home. Call a licensed electrician.
• Mold. All homes have mold spores, but an excess can lead to respiratory problems and a considerable worsening of allergy and asthma symptoms, especially for kids. High moisture areas, like the kitchen and poorly ventilated bathrooms, are the most frequent culprits so keep an eye out in those areas. If you do find mold, figure out what’s causing it and take care of it immediately.
• Paints, stains, and finishes. The “Misty Ocean Blue” you just painted the family room looks fabulous, but if the paint was packed with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), like benzene, you may be in for a world of hurt. Many VOCs found in regular paint can cause not only breathing problems and headaches but are also potentially cancer-causing substances. Opt for low- or no-VOC paints, finishes, and stains when possible, and keep the lids on leftovers tightly closed when not in use.
• Wet bathrooms. Bathrooms are one of the most dangerous spots in the house, and slippery surfaces can result in anything from a nasty bruise to a broken bone.
  Bath mats, grab rails, even those little non-slip ducky stickers that go on the bottom of the tub can make things a little safer, especially for elderly home owners.
• Dryer lint. Don’t let a build-up of dryer lint take you down without a fight. Clean out the lint filter after every load, use a shop vac to clean out the vents (or hire a pro to do it), and replace or patch up any cracks in the vent pipe with foil tape. Lint is extremely flammable so keep excess lint swept well away from the dryer and hot water heater, as well.

Don’t let home ownership get scary — keep an eye out for trouble spots! And if you know someone who’s ready to buy or sell a home, we can make that process a lot less scary too! Just give The Rhoades Team a call at (713) 515-3463, and we’ll help you get started!