New Homeowner Safety

New Homeowner Safety Check

Purchasing a new home?  Make safety your top priority.

If you are purchasing a new home, then you've likely got a list of things to do that seems like it will last a lifetime. The best thing you can do is set your priorities and make sure that safety issues are at the top of the list. Home inspectors will remind you of this, but it's a challenge to not get side-tracked by all of the items on an inspection report in addition to your wish list.

For this reason, the ETS team researched dozens of common home safety concerns to identify a checklist of priority action items for new homeowners. Keep in mind that every family has unique needs, so this is not a comprehensive list for everyone. Nevertheless, it's a great place to start to make sure you've addressed the primary concerns before moving in.

Test for Lead:  "deadly lead" is at the top of the list of Bob Villa's Eleven (11)  Home Hazards to Know and Avoid, and the following video is pretty clear about its severity. According to the CDC, lead generally affects children more than adults. Exposure to high levels of lead may cause anemia, weakness, and kidney and brain damage. Lead can cross the placental barrier, which means pregnant women who are exposed to lead also expose their unborn child. Even low-level lead exposures in developing babies have been found to affect behavior and intelligence. Lead exposure can also cause miscarriage, stillbirths, and infertility. 
Test for Radon:  radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the USA. It is caused by decaying uranium in the soil and can enter a home through cracks in the foundation. Radon tests are an important part of your new home inspection. The EPA is a great source of information to learn more about Radon and how to deal with it.
Install WORKING Smoke Alarms:  about two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms or non-working smoke alarms. Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher on each level of your home as well.
Electrical Check-Up:  it is important to protect your home and family by replacing faulty wiring and outlets, and installing AFCIs. AFCIs are devices designed to protect against fires caused by arcing faults in your home's electrical wiring.
Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors:  carbon monoxide is a toxic gas and is the number one cause of poisoning deaths in the USA.  Installing a carbon monoxide detector will alert you to the presence of carbon monoxide in your home. Detectors should be installed within ten feet of each sleeping room in every home or building with a fossil fuel burning heater or appliance, fireplace, attached garage, or other feature, fixture or element that emits carbon monoxide as a byproduct of combustion.
Check for Asbestos:  asbestos is commonly found in insulation in walls and attics, vinyl tiles, shingles, siding, material to protect hot water pipes and fabrics that resist heat. The fibers that form asbestos separate very easily into tiny pieces when they’re handled or damaged. They’re too small to see, but they’re easy to breathe in. They can build up in your lungs, cause health problems, and increase risk for diseases like lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Get Rid of Mold:  exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. It's important to get rid of mold and make sure you've done the work that is required to prevent it from growing back. A quality dehumidifier or two are a great investment.
Child-Proofing:  make sure medicines, matches, plastic bags and other potentially dangerous items are out of reach. Stow away sharp objects, knives and scissors; lock up any guns and be sure they are unloaded and separate from ammunition. Install padding on furniture with sharp edges and place plastic safety covers over unused electrical outlets. If you have a pool, then fence it in with a childproof gate. Teach your children their address and how to dial 911 in case of emergency.
Home Security:  Install a sturdy deadbolt lock on every door to the outside. Install motion-sensing floodlights in the backyard. Keep your house looking lived-in when you’re away. Arrange for the lawn to be mowed, stop mail delivery, install timers for selected lights, leave a car in the driveway, and leave drapes or shades open at least a bit. Advertise prominently any home security system you have or put up a sign as a deterrent even if you don’t have a system. Purchase a metal bar or a solid-wood dowel to insert in the tracking of sliding glass doors. Thieves know all about fake rocks and other key hiding secrets, so leave your key with a trusted neighbor or friend.
Pest Control:  children are especially susceptible to harm from pesticides, because their bodies and immune systems are still developing. They are also more likely to be exposed to pesticides by crawling on the floor and putting their hands and other objects in their mouths. For this reason, prevention is your best place to start for addressing pest control. The best way to control pests is to make your home unappealing to them. Just like us, pests need water, food, and shelter to survive, and if they can’t find these in your home, it’s likely they’ll go elsewhere. Pick up all food spills and crumbs right away. Keep your counters, tables, sinks, and floors clean. Clean and dry dishes after having meals or snacks. Clean under large kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators and stoves. Food debris can often collect in these spaces and attract pests. Store food in containers with airtight lids or in the refrigerator. If food is stored in cardboard boxes, make sure the boxes are sealed. Cockroaches like cardboard and can get into opened boxes easily. Keep your trash in a container with a tight lid, and take out the trash often. Place outdoor trash bins as far from your house as possible. Fix household leaks and clean up any excess moisture on counters or sinks right away. Cockroaches like water and can swim.