Home safety
Encyclopedia
Home safety refers to the awareness and education of risks and potential dangers in and around a home which may cause bodily harm, injury, or death to those residing in and around the physical structure of a home. It includes mitigating or preventing the unwanted dangers through testing, research and accepted standards of applications and practices.
, radon
is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, or number two when smoking is included. Radon is believed to be responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year, approximately 2,900 of of which occur among people who have never smoked.
Radon is a radioactive gas that cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, and can be found in any home, or building throughout the U.S. High radon levels can be found in every state; however, problem levels vary from area to area. Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium which is found in nearly all soils and comes into a home or building through the air or water supply. Testing is the only way to know if radon exists in a home or building.
include headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and in large doses death. Carbon monoxide detectors in all areas inside the home are a preventative measure against CO poisoning.
s are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. They have the potential to cause health problems because they can produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Allergic reactions to mold are common. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). The mycotoxins can create toxic air that can cause damage to the nerves and respiratory system. Toxic mold symptoms include headaches, skin rashes, memory loss, and mood swings. For individuals with asthma, molds can also cause asthma. Other mild reactions to mold exposure include, irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs which can affect both mold-allergic and non-allergic people.
, the United States has the highest fire death rates per capita, with the number of home fires increasing by 8 percent since 2000.. The leading cause of home fires is cooking, which is the subsequently the primary source of home fire-related injuries. Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, while heating related fires are the second leading cause of home fires. An estimated 1,800 fatal residential building fires occur annually in the United States, the leading cause of which is smoking. Lack of preparedness is a reason often cited for the high death rate - only 26 percent of families report having actually developed and practised a home fire escape plan.
Maintaining, repairing and taking necessary safety precautions of residential dwelling in accordance with building and inspection codes and mandates.
Carbon monoxide detectors – Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors located in key areas inside the home is a preventative measure against CO poisoning. For multi-level homes, it is recommended having a minimum of one carbon monoxide detector per floor. For added protection, put a CO detector in each room and in a utility/furnace room.
Toxic mold - Preventative steps include drying water damage and moisture control in the home. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Burns/Fire:
Poison - Always have the number of your local Poison Control Center
available and familiarize yourself with what to do in case of poisoning . Know which plants are poisonous and remove them from your home. Keep all medications, including over-the-counter medications secured and out of the reach of children. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.
Radon
According to the United States Environmental Protection AgencyUnited States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
, radon
Radon
Radon is a chemical element with symbol Rn and atomic number 86. It is a radioactive, colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gas, occurring naturally as the decay product of uranium or thorium. Its most stable isotope, 222Rn, has a half-life of 3.8 days...
is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, or number two when smoking is included. Radon is believed to be responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year, approximately 2,900 of of which occur among people who have never smoked.
Radon is a radioactive gas that cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, and can be found in any home, or building throughout the U.S. High radon levels can be found in every state; however, problem levels vary from area to area. Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium which is found in nearly all soils and comes into a home or building through the air or water supply. Testing is the only way to know if radon exists in a home or building.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas, which is why it is often referred to as the "silent killer," and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, can kill you before you even know it's in your home. This poisonous gas is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. A problem arises when the appliances that burn the fuel are not working properly. This causes the gas to enter a home or building through the non-working appliance such as a leaking chimney, wood burning fireplace, furnace, unvented space heater, gas water heater, or gas stove. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoningCarbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs after enough inhalation of carbon monoxide . Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas, but, being colorless, odorless, tasteless, and initially non-irritating, it is very difficult for people to detect...
include headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and in large doses death. Carbon monoxide detectors in all areas inside the home are a preventative measure against CO poisoning.
Toxic mold
Molds are microscopic organisms that thrive in damp environments. They can be found on tiles and fabric, in bathrooms and kitchens, nearly any damp, warm place. MoldMold
Molds are fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. Molds are not considered to be microbes but microscopic fungi that grow as single cells called yeasts...
s are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. They have the potential to cause health problems because they can produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Allergic reactions to mold are common. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). The mycotoxins can create toxic air that can cause damage to the nerves and respiratory system. Toxic mold symptoms include headaches, skin rashes, memory loss, and mood swings. For individuals with asthma, molds can also cause asthma. Other mild reactions to mold exposure include, irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs which can affect both mold-allergic and non-allergic people.
Fire
Among the Western worldWestern world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
, the United States has the highest fire death rates per capita, with the number of home fires increasing by 8 percent since 2000.. The leading cause of home fires is cooking, which is the subsequently the primary source of home fire-related injuries. Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, while heating related fires are the second leading cause of home fires. An estimated 1,800 fatal residential building fires occur annually in the United States, the leading cause of which is smoking. Lack of preparedness is a reason often cited for the high death rate - only 26 percent of families report having actually developed and practised a home fire escape plan.
Key elements for home safety
A home or other residential dwelling such as an apartment, condominium, townhome, etc, that has been built in accordance with existing building codes.Maintaining, repairing and taking necessary safety precautions of residential dwelling in accordance with building and inspection codes and mandates.
Home safety measures
Radon testing and mitigation – The two types of radon gas testing devices are, passive and active. A person can set up a kit in their own home or hire a professional to perform the test. If the test result comes back with high concentrations of radon there are ways to reduce radon gas and bring it to acceptable levels. There are proven methods to reduce radon in a home or building . One method uses a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it to the outside. This system, known as a soil suction radon reduction system, involves minor changes to your home.Carbon monoxide detectors – Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors located in key areas inside the home is a preventative measure against CO poisoning. For multi-level homes, it is recommended having a minimum of one carbon monoxide detector per floor. For added protection, put a CO detector in each room and in a utility/furnace room.
Toxic mold - Preventative steps include drying water damage and moisture control in the home. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Burns/Fire:
- Family safety plans – Family safety plans are an essential tool in fire safety because the plan helps family members to identity a fire escape plan. Components of a family fire safety plan include, marking two ways out of every room, a safe place for members to meet outside of a burning home, and essential emergency phone numbers. It is important to practice fire escape plans.
- Sprinklers – Fire sprinklerFire sprinklerA fire sprinkler system is an active fire protection measure, consisting of a water supply system, providing adequate pressure and flowrate to a water distribution piping system, onto which fire sprinklers are connected...
s offer a layer of protection because the sprinkler can respond to a fire while it is still small. Fire sprinklers respond only the sprinkler closest to the heat source. Smoke alone will not set a fire sprinkler to discharge.
- Fire extinguishers – There are five different classes of fires; A, B, C, D, and K. Class A consists of burning paper, wood, cloth or other combustible solids. Class B consists of liquids and gasses such as propane. Class C fires consist of electrical fires. While class D fires (which is less common) consists of burning metal and class K fires (the most common) consists of kitchen type materials, i.e., grease and oil.
- Fire extinguisherFire extinguisherA fire extinguisher or extinguisher, flame entinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations...
s use a variety of substances to put out fires; dry powder, dry chemical, water, halogenated, carbon and foam. Since different substances burn differently, fire extinguishers are labeled (and often color coded) according to the type or class of fire they can extinguish. It is therefore necessary to choose the correct fire extinguisher for home use.
- Fire alarms– Fire alarms monitors the environmental changes associated with combustion. Once the alarm has been triggered by fire or smoke, a loud sound emanates to warn of danger and sends a message to a central monitoring center, which then notifies the local fire department.
- Smoke alarms – Smoke alarmsSmoke detectorA smoke detector is a device that detects smoke, typically as an indicator of fire. Commercial, industrial, and mass residential devices issue a signal to a fire alarm system, while household detectors, known as smoke alarms, generally issue a local audible and/or visual alarm from the detector...
also known as smoke detectors, generally sound an audible and/or visual alarm. Smoke alarms are usually housed in a disk-shaped plastic enclosure about 6 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick and are often powered by a disposable battery.
- Heat detectors – Heat detectors are a device that responds to changes in ambient temperature. Heat detectors are not meant to replace smoke detectors. They are often placed in rooms where standard smoke detectors are not suitable, such as laundry rooms, garages, and attics.
Poison - Always have the number of your local Poison Control Center
Poison control center
A poison control center is a medical facility that is able to provide immediate, free, and expert treatment advice and assistance over the telephone in case of exposure to poisonous or hazardous substances...
available and familiarize yourself with what to do in case of poisoning . Know which plants are poisonous and remove them from your home. Keep all medications, including over-the-counter medications secured and out of the reach of children. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.
Standards organizations
There are a number of organizations in the United States and other jurisdictions that release or maintain standards on the topic of home safety, including:- Home Safety CouncilHome Safety CouncilThe Home Safety Council is the only national American nonprofit organization solely dedicated to preventing home related injuries that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year....
- United States Environmental Protection AgencyUnited States Environmental Protection AgencyThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
- National Fire Safety Council
- National Safety CouncilNational Safety CouncilThe National Safety Council is a 501 nonprofit, nongovernmental public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. Headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, NSC is a member organization, founded in 1913 and granted a congressional charter in 1953...