You want the best for your family. You bought a home to ensure that there’s a roof over your family’s head, one that can provide them sanctuary. That makes you a responsible parent. But your sense of responsibility should not end there.
Your place of residence can also be a potential site of danger. That means you must be extra wary. There’s no room for complacency. After all, one minor mistake or negligence can send one of your loved ones to the emergency room.
To prevent that from happening, be aware of the common threats to your family’s safety at home. Here are practical preventive measures you need to follow routinely.
Pest control
Ideally, your family is the only family living under your roof. There should be no unwelcome presence in your house. And no, we’re not talking about ghosts. We mean pests.
Pests such as rodents and cockroaches carry bacteria and viruses that can easily compromise your family’s health. The same goes for mosquitoes and garbage flies. As soon as you spot these pesky visitors, call your trusted pest control provider to get rid of the problem. Also, remember that cleanliness is your number one ammunition against pest infestation. So keep your house tidy.
Clutter management
There’s a psychological ailment that affects many people without them knowing it. It’s the disease of hoarding. Basically, you shop more than what you need. And you have a hard time disposing of stuff you no longer have a use for. The result is the piling up of all kinds of stuff in your house.
Such a situation is a huge red flag safety-wise. And you’re putting the rest of your family in danger. So do something about the problem if you can. If you need counseling to address the condition, sign up for one. Soon you’ll have the courage to get rid of all those unnecessary clutters and reclaim the space vacated for your loved ones.
Asbestos removal
Asbestos is mostly present in older homes. But if you suspect that your relatively new home has asbestos, do not try to remove it yourself. Reach out to professionals for asbestos removal because it’s a potentially risky endeavor. Usually, asbestos appears in floor tiles, insulation, acoustic materials, and fireproofing.
Breathing high levels of asbestos exposes your family to a horde of health risks. These include increased susceptibility to lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. The worst part is you do not immediately feel any symptoms after exposure. It might take years before you finally feel its health impact.
Management of asthma triggers
If a member of your family experiences frequent asthma attacks inside the home, chances are there are triggers there that are out of sight. And though you cannot see these triggers, you can definitely do something about them. For example, vacuum often. Replace bedding and curtains weekly and wash them in hot water. Keep your HVAC system clean and properly maintained.
Carbon monoxide poisoning prevention
Make sure that you hire a trained professional to install any fuel-burning equipment you introduce into the house. And twice a year, have your fuel-burning appliances serviced by an expert. Get your heating or cooling systems inspected at least once a year as well. They should be clog-free at all times. During winter, routinely check if snow or ice buildup are blocking your house’s vents and exhausts.
Fire prevention
If you can afford to, install smoke alarms in strategic places in your home. Every month, check if they are still functional. That’s one of your safest bets when it comes to fire prevention.
Educate the members of your family, especially the young ones, about proper electricity usage. Ideally, multiple gadgets are not charged simultaneously. Plus, come up with a fire escape plan. Practice it with the rest of your family.
There’s nothing wrong with being a fastidious parent when it comes to your family’s safety. Sure, your kids might find it a bit irritating. Your partner, if they’re not on the same page as you are, might think you’re overly paranoid. But it’s better to be sure than sorry.
So, every chance you get, roam the house from outside in. Your goal is to spot anything that’s not in order. If you see something problematic and deem it a health or safety hazard, do something about it ASAP. Inform the rest of the family about the situation so that every member of your brood can avoid whatever it is that’s potentially risky. Making this a habit is time well spent.
