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Celebrate Home Safety Month by Improving Your Home!

CELEBRATE HOME SAFETY MONTH BY IMPROVING YOUR HOME!
 June 1, 2021 |  Home Maintenance, Safety |  summer, radon, mold, electrical, kids, pets, foundation

With June being National Home Safety Month in both the United States and Canada, it’s a great opportunity for you to give your house a thorough checkup! Even if you just moved into a new build, there could still be any number of hidden issues with its components. Take some time over the next month to protect you and your family from some of these commonly overlooked problems.

Radon Reduction
Radon is very common in both the U.S. and Canada, and it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer. It’s an odorless and colorless gas which makes it practically impossible to detect without some sort of monitoring device. Homes both old and new are susceptible to radon, so you shouldn’t assume you’re completely free of it. The most effective way to know how much radon is in your home is to buy a tester. Consistent testing lets you keep an eye on accumulation levels so that you can act quickly to stay safe.

Check Wiring
Electrical fires account for nearly 24,000 home fires each year. Your home’s wiring is one of its largest components, so you need to be certain it’s in top condition. Loose outlets should be repaired or replaced to avoid creating an arc that can spark a fire. Use surge protectors to prolong the lifespan of your valuable electronics. Any loose or frayed wires should be swapped out for new ones. To get the full picture of how your wiring is holding up, it’s best to call a professional inspector.

Managing Mold
Mold can begin to grow anywhere there’s excess moisture. It’s estimated that around 50 percent of U.S. and Canadian homes have some form of mold infestation, and that number could be as high as 70 percent. There are a wide variety of molds, with the most common allergenic strain being Alternaria that causes asthma-like symptoms. However, dangerous Stachybotrys or “black mold” can cause severe physiological and neurological problems especially in pets and young children. Your bathrooms, HVAC system, crawlspaces, and other areas where water can seep in should all be checked for mold growths.

Fire Prevention
We like to believe that we’re ready for a home fire, but the opposite is more likely to be true. It can take as little as 30 seconds for a small flame to spread. However, it’s the toxic smoke and gases produced by burning that pose the biggest threat. Having working smoke and CO2 detectors at the minimum on every floor will alert anyone nearby to potential danger. Also, storing a fire extinguisher on each level of your home will give you a better chance of stopping a fire before it grows.

Fix Your Foundation
Time, the elements, and even poor construction are all reasons for cracks and gaps forming in your foundation. Noticing the early early warning signs of a foundational issue will help prevent a larger issue from popping up down the road. As you notice them, use a caulking agent to seal up splits in your foundation. For larger breaks, it’s best to call in a professional to correct the problem.

Call in Help!
A professional home inspection is an invaluable preventative step you can take to guard yourself from other unseen dangers. Your inspector will be able to examine the different parts of your home to give you a detailed report of their findings. You’ll have the confidence and peace of mind you need to make an informed purchasing decision. Contact your local NPI inspector to schedule your professional inspection today!

Start a home inspection business with National Property Inspections.
Are you interesting in starting a home and commercial property inspection business? Visit npifranchise.com for more information, or call 1-800-333-9807.



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