This month we’ll discuss conditions in and around the home which can cause harm to you and your family.

First, let’s talk about the obvious-smoke detectors. I can’t tell you how many homes we go in where this item is missing, disconnected or inoperative. A fireman friend recently told me that in 15 of the last 18 fatal fires in Austin, the smoke detectors weren’t working. It reminded me of the newspaper articles I see regarding car wrecks, where in the last sentence it says: “driver and occupants were not wearing seatbelts”. Kind of makes you wonder. No one ever thinks it’ll happen to them, but it happens somewhere every day…

Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and snuffs out over 500 people a year in the US. Gas furnaces, water heaters, dryers, ovens and fireplaces (gas AND wood) are the main culprits. If you have an older furnace, consider replacing it. At the very least, get a PLUG IN carbon monoxide detector. If you have gas logs in your fireplace, be sure there is a clamp on the damper which prevents it from fully closing. (keeps someone from lighting it with the damper closed and allowing all the CO to enter the living space…).

If you feel bad during the heating season only (flue like symptoms) and the MD “can’t find anything wrong”, CO could be the problem…

Electricity can be dangerous. The easiest way to protect yourself is to have GFI outlets by all sinks, in the garage, kitchen and outside. They are only $12 and easily installed, no changes to the wiring are needed. They SHOULD be tested occasionally though by pushing on the “test” button as they fail internally over time. If the “reset” button doesn’t pop out, the unit is defective and needs replacing.

Pools: about four THOUSAND people die annually in the US from drowning. Many more have non-fatal drowning injuries which result in brain damage. Almost EVERY pool we inspect has problems related to safety which are easily remedied. Fence gates which lead into the backyard should be self-closing and latching to keep uninvited children out of the backyard. The door on the back of the home leading to the pool area should have an alarm or chime of some sort to notify the adults that the door has been opened. The underwater pool light should be on a WORKING gfi outlet and the pumps and equipment should be in an enclosed area, grounded AND bonded. Lastly, the drain grate at the bottom of the pool or spa should be a modern anti-suction type.

Clogged dryer vents cause a lot of fires every year, if yours is drying slower and slower, it’s probably NOT the appliance but a clogged dryer vent, often on the roof or in the attic ! Also, only use METAL dryer duct, the vinyl type will overheat and catch fire…

The only other obvious safety problem we see, especially in 2 story homes built before 1996, are guardrails which have spacing wider than 4”. Some infants younger than 2 years old can get thru this size opening, believe it or not, and fall down onto the first floor (or the ground if it’s a balcony).