5 Top Danger Spots Around Your House

Home can be a dangerous place to live. Many areas of the average house pose dangers that rarely receive the respect that they deserve. Most of these areas are not a major threat to those who exercise a little caution. a few of these danger zones are obvious, but some may not be.

Stairs should always be considered dangerous.

It does not take much of an error to result in serious harm happening on a stairway. A simple distraction as a person starts to descend can send him or her catapulting the entire length of the staircase. For those who have physical weakness or an uncertain gait, stairs may offer a tremendous hazard. The stairs can be inside or outside. In times of inclement weather, porch stairs can become extremely treacherous with ice or snow. freely employed.

Accidents occur due to carelessness in the bathtub or shower.

Just the presence of water on the surface of a tub or shower can make it slippery. When you factor in soap, shampoo, or bubble bath, it can be all but impossible to stand or step safely. Because bathtubs and showers have a hard surface, a fall can easily do significant bodily harm. Whether stepping into or out of a bathtub or shower, you are at risk. Just a minor mistake can cause a serious accident to happen.

One of the biggest dangers in the home is the kitchen stove.

Stoves produce damages to humans and property everyday of the year. Burns from touching the hot surfaces can range from minor to quite severe. Not only is the cooking surface hazardous, but so are the pots, pans, and hot liquids. Items that are forgotten while they cook lead to kitchen and house fires. In extreme cases, homes and lives have been lost. Even smoke inhalation and smoke damage are factors in the danger. Grease and electrical fires make their way into this mix. It is important to have a properly rated fire extinguisher available in the kitchen or nearby.

The kitchen sink has its own brand of dangers inside of the house.

When using the sink to clean up dirty dishes or other objects, hot water is often freely employed. Unless the faucet is equipped with some type of scald guard feature, the risk of a burn exists. Although many families now turn their water heater temperature down to conserve energy, not all do. Water coming from the tap at 160 degrees Fahrenheit or higher can damage human tissue. Plunging your entire hand into a sink filled with such hot water can produce severe skin burns quickly.

Kitchen sinks are usually equipped with a disposal unit.

When a kitchen utensil or other object falls into the disposal, people are tempted to shove their hands into the opening and retrieve the lost item. As long as the unit is safely turned off, there is little danger. If the disposal somehow comes on, the harm to the fingers and hand will be swift and extensive. A second risk is to turn on the disposal without the cover in place. Objects and debris can fly out and be menace to the eyes and other body parts.

Any electrical outlet in the house is a potential source for danger.

Electrical outlets pose a threat because people view them as inert unless something is plugged into them. The reality is that electricity at a high enough voltage to stop a human heart is lurking within that benevolent looking socket. Some outlets have slots large enough for a toddler to stab little fingers into and touch the contacts. The end of this experience can be tragic. Installing covers into any outlets within reach of toddlers may keep them alive.

In any part of the house where water is present, the possibility of electric shock is real.

Electricity can easily flow through water. This is why special outlets are need to be correctly installed in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. These outlets will cut off the flow of electricity when a short circuit is present. This device can mean the difference between life and death.