Everyone deserves to feel safe, comfortable, and secure in their properties. While the home should serve as a haven away from the world, it isn’t free of hazards and dangers that can impact your health, security, and quality of life.
As you will want to keep your family safe, care for your valuables, and avoid property damage, you must identify and mitigate potential risks. Find out more about the biggest threats to your home.
Water DamageÂ
Water damage is a common problem for US homeowners. Yet, the damage doesn’t necessarily stem from a hurricane or heavy rain, as possible causes include appliance problems or a plumbing-related issue, such as a faulty pipe, blocked drain, or broken valve.
Homeowners can prevent water damage by turning off the water valve during a severe leak or rupture, resolving minor leaks immediately, insulating exposed pipes, caring for appliances, and clearing debris from gutters.
Fire
According to the National Fire Protection Association, 26% of reported fires between 2015 to 2019 occurred in US homes. During this period, US fire departments reported an average of 346,800 home structure fires annually. A household fire cannot only pose a risk to your property and its contents, but it could lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
The most common causes of home fires and casualties include:
- Cooking
- Heating
- Electrical distribution
- Intentional fire setting
- Smoking materials
Prevent a fire in the home by ensuring you never leave a pan unattended, checking your electrical wires are up to code, and removing any flammable materials. Also, you must install a smoke alarm to alert you and your loved ones of a fire and test them once per month to ensure the batteries are working.
Burglary
Burglary was the third most common crime in the US in 2019 and affected all 50 states. While your state will determine your risk level, it is essential to protect your property from trespassers. For example, you can prevent a burglary by installing a security alarm, outdoor lighting, and stronger door and window locks. If you are the victim of a break-in, you would be wise to turn to an experienced locksmith to change your locks to ensure a trespasser cannot re-enter the property.
Pest Infestations
Pests can impact a homeowner’s quality of life, destroy belongings, and damage a property’s structural integrity. Termites are one of the worst pests in the home, as they are hard to detect and cause considerable damage.
Many American homeowners also struggle with bed bugs, which can make a home uninhabitable and require the replacement of mattresses, furniture, and clothing to eliminate the itchy pests.
If you suspect you have a pest infestation, don’t ignore it. Hire pest control professionals to inspect your home and eliminate pests, such as termites, mice, bed bugs, or ants. Also, be cautious when bringing second-hand items into the property to decrease its risk of termites, and seal potential pest entrances, such as small exterior cracks or crevices.
