Common Dangers Found in a Single Family Home

Living in a single family home is generally considered to be safe. However, there are dangers everywhere, including in normal residences. Fortunately, there are many things that homeowners can do to make their home safer. Improving safety around the house starts with identifying hazards. These common hazards can be found in any home, whether you live in Barefoot Resort or elsewhere.

Electrical Problems

Wires that have a short, arcing electricity and overloaded electrical boxes can all cause electrical fires. Being able to identify the signs of electrical problems is important. Some of the common symptoms of electrical problems include:

• Hissing and popping noises at the electrical box.
• Soot around electrical outlets.
• Flickering lights.
• Inability to run appliances and electrical lights at the same time.
• Lights dim when electrical appliances turn on.

Homeowners who notice these problems can fix the issue by contacting a licensed, reputable electrician to diagnose the problem and make repairs as needed.

Rotten Decking and Exterior Stairs

Decking and exterior wooden stairs are susceptible to rot if they're not properly maintained. Individual boards that have rot can break when people walk on them. A deck or stair case that has enough damage can even collapse.

Wood that is rotten will get soft. Homeowners can identify rotten wood by poking it with a sharp tool like an awl or a screwdriver. If the point of the tool can easily penetrate the wood, this means that the board is rotten. Other signs that wood is rotting includes dark stains, mold and mildew.

Wood rot can often be found at the base of the structure, where the wood meets the ground. Sometimes wood rot is found underneath flower pots and other large objects that lock in moisture against the deck. Finding these boards and replacing them before the wood rot begins to spread can help protect members of the household.

Poor Exterior Lighting

Exterior lighting is important for preventing accidents around the exterior of the property. Exterior lighting also helps prevent burglars, vandals and intruders from entering the property. Exterior lighting should be located around all outdoor stairs, near doorways and along pathways that run around the house.

Homeowners can identify poor exterior lighting by walking the perimeter of the home and looking for dark pathways and dark doorways. It's also important to keep an eye out for tall shrubs near doorways, and to keep those shrubs well-lit. Tall shrubs can serve as a hiding place for a potential intruder, and lighting the shrubs can help prevent this from happening.

Inspect the Home Regularly for Dangers

Danger can come from many different sources. The best way to identify and eliminate household danger is by inspecting the house regularly and staying on top of basic home maintenance. Homeowners who are vigilant can protect their home and keep it safe for other members of the household.