As a homeowner, you want to keep your home safe and secure for your family. Here are a few easy and effective ways to maintain a safe and healthy home.
Smoke Alarms are Necessary for a Safe and Healthy Home
Each year, thousands of people die in house fires. Once a fire starts, it can spread quickly so it’s important to install and maintain fire alarms. Test your smoke detectors each month. Keep spare batteries on hand and replace them at least twice a year or as needed.
Beware of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that is a byproduct of combustion. This means kerosene space heaters, your gas stove, fireplace, and other fuel-powered appliances can release dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide into your home.
The gas is odorless and undetectable, so make sure to install carbon monoxide alarms and test them regularly. If there’s any sign of damage to a gas-powered stove or heater, call a technician to inspect the appliance and troubleshoot the issue.
Test for Radon
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that forms as a byproduct of radioactive elements decaying in the soil. When it accumulates to unsafe levels in your home, radon can cause lung cancer. If your home hasn’t been tested for radon, call a professional to schedule a test. If high levels of the gas are found, you can install a mitigation system to reduce radon and keep your family safe.
Prevent Water Damage to Keep Your Home Healthy and Safe
A hole in the roof, leaky plumbing, and clogged gutters can cause serious damage. Not only does water damage undermine your home’s value and structural integrity, but it can also lead to mold growth. Mold causes allergy-like symptoms and severe respiratory distress in some people. If you notice discoloration, dampness, or a strange smell, then you may have water damage in your home.
Home Security
Even the nicest neighborhoods aren’t safe from burglars and other criminals. To keep your home safe, get in the habit of locking doors and windows anytime you leave the house. If you go on vacation or leave town for an extended period, contact the post office to hold your mail and packages. A mailbox full of mail and a pile of packages on the front porch is a telltale sign that nobody is home.
Watch for Pests
Roaches, termites, mice, and other pests are a threat to your home. These pests can damage the structure of your home and lower the property value. To keep pests at bay, regularly clean household surfaces, store your trash in sealed containers, and check your home for cracks and gaps where animals might intrude.
North Point Home Inspections offers inspections to customers in Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Contact us to request an appointment.