While many don’t realize this, your house may also have numerous health hazards that can eventually make you sick. For instance, construction companies around the 20th century used asbestos in building materials.
Asbestos is a microscopic fibre that can accumulate in your body. While you may not feel the effects immediately, this mineral is immensely detrimental to your well-being, leading to an aggressive cancer known as mesothelioma. Such was the case in Ohio. According to data, Ohio ranks 9th out of the 50 states with total deaths related to asbestos exposure. For this reason, it’s essential to explore what health hazards are in your house and how they can impact you in the long run.
Let’s get started:
- Asbestos
Asbestos is a microscopic fibre used in construction, especially in older houses. So, anytime you decide to renovate your space or accidentally scrape your walls, tiles, and ceiling, you risk getting exposed to these fibres. Once this mineral builds up in your body, there’s a high chance you may end up contracting mesothelioma. It’s concerning since, in states like Ohio, mesothelioma is a significant health concern, resulting in more than 2,400 deaths. But if you get diagnosed with mesothelioma, you can seek legal assistance to attain financial compensation. Mesothelioma is recognized as a personal injury by the legal system. If you contract this disease, you can sue the company that built your house and got you exposed to asbestos in the first place.
To start the process, you need an attorney by your side. In this case, it would be best to look up a mesothelioma lawyer Ohio who can help you process paperwork and hold the company accountable for your illness. To stay on the safe side, get your house inspected and figure out when your home was constructed to narrow down if there is asbestos within your walls.
- Slippery Surfaces
Your house may have numerous slippery surfaces, such as staircases or polished wooden floors, that can easily cause you to fall. While it may not seem much, falls are hazardous. If you trip from a height, there’s a chance you can get a concussion or a fatal head injury. Following this explanation, you must minimize your chances of falling.
Tripping can also cause fractures and muscular injuries, which are painful to deal with. If you have children, the last thing you want is for them to trip, fall, and get hurt. Hence, if you have a staircase at home, you may want to install safety gates to ensure your children don’t accidentally fall. Likewise, you may want to line your staircase with rubber to increase the friction on these surfaces and minimize falling.
On the other hand, if your bathroom is slippery, change the tiles. Generally, ceramic and porcelain floors are notoriously slippery, so if you have these in your restrooms, you may want to get rubber mats to minimize falling. Identify the slippery areas in your house and reduce the chances of anyone falling.
- Sharp Tools
Sharp tools like knives, graters, and lawnmowers are a significant health hazard. If you’re not careful while handling these tools, you can end up with a severe injury. For this reason, you need to be cautious as you work with these tools and how you store them. Always ensure that when you’re working with knives or any sharp tool, you are not recklessly using them. If you have children around, you may want to ensure they’re at a safe distance from the sharp tool so they don’t get hurt. When you’re not using any of these tools, always put them away.
If you’re working with knives or graters, make sure they are safely locked away in a designated drawer once you’re done with them. Other tools like rakes, saws, and lawnmowers should be kept away in a garden shed, and never leave them in a position where their sharp side points to you. If you’re unsure how to keep your tools safe, you can look up online tutorials to guide you on safely using sharp tools.
- Fires
A fire can break out anytime. Not only are these dangerous, but fires can spread rapidly, engulfing your house and its people. So, installing a working smoke alarm is your best defence against fires. Furthermore, you can also minimize the risk of a fire breaking out by being more vigilant. For example, when working in the kitchen, don’t leave your cookware unattended or the burner running when you’re not using the stove.
Additionally, it would help if you reduced clutter that can easily catch fire, such as boxes and paper. If you plan on storing these items, take the time out to organize them instead of piling them into the garage where there’s a chance they can catch fire. Areas like your chimneys and fireplaces should also be cleaned regularly, along with frequent inspections, so you don’t accidentally set your house on fire. Electrical systems and faulty connections can also short circuits, which can cause a fire to break out, ultimately engulfing your home.
- Poisoning
Cleaning products contain chemicals that are poisonous to your well-being. Certain medications and maintenance supplies can also pose a severe risk to your health. So, when using any cleaning products, always read the instructions and understand that certain chemicals should not be mixed since they can release toxic fumes that are hazardous to your health. If you have younger children, always store cleaning products away from their reach and never leave any chemicals around.
If you have old appliances that use gas, you may want to routinely get them inspected, as these appliances can release carbon monoxide. This gas is highly poisonous and once inhaled, you may need to get rushed to the ER. Hence, it serves your best interest to handle these chemicals cautiously.
Conclusion
Your house should be your safe space. But this space can often get compromised if you’re not careful about your environment. Your house may contain numerous hazards that are detrimental to your health. Identify these hazards and work actively on removing or controlling them. While the list is exhaustive, common health hazards include asbestos in your house’s infrastructure, slippery surfaces, and fires. Furthermore, other health hazards include poison and sharp tools that can also pose a danger to your well-being. The only way around this situation is to be more vigilant about your environment, mind how you interact with these harmful items, and when needed, get your house inspected to save yourself from added harm.