Your loved ones make a house into a home. It's essential to identify and avoid lurking hazards that might put you or your dear ones at risk.

To maintain the warmth, sanctity, and safety of your home, you should check for these five common household hazards that you can steer clear of.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards

WHO (World Health Organization) states that falling is the second leading cause of unintentional injuries globally. To avoid tripping, to slip, and falling, check for:

1. Uneven or moldy flooring: Exposure to moisture, lack of sunlight, and poor concrete mix quality can result in cracked floors and molding in wood.
2. Unsecured bathrooms: Avoid bathtub slips by installing handrails and anti-slip mats. A well-lit source of light and proper ventilation will draw out moisture and odor.
3. Dangerous furniture: Bruises, respiratory distress, and trauma are among a few injuries caused by furniture tip-overs. Look out for defective/ poor designs, toxic emissions of VOC gasses, weak framework. Shopping for anti-tip devices and installation kits will reduce this risk.

Fire and Smoke Hazards

Inattentiveness is the leading factor of fire and smoke hazards. So look for:

1. Faulty gas appliances: Boilers, cookers, or gas fires can be extremely hazardous as they emit carbon monoxide. To eliminate this colorless and odorless flammable gas, check the appliances regularly and get a CO detector.
2. Neglected candles: Candle fires contribute to around six percent of home fire injuries and five percent of the direct property damage. Using candle holders on an uncluttered base, and maintaining a minimum of 12-inch distance, is where you should begin. Explore battery-powered lighting and ceramic diffusers for scent.
3. Kitchen practices: To minimize the risk in the kitchen, start cooking on the back burner and add a protective guard to prevent inquisitive children from fiddling around.

Chemical Hazards

The upkeep of a home requires deep cleaning with chemicals. Here are a few things you should work cautiously with:

1. Cleaning agents: Lye, sulfuric acids, and ‘all-purpose’ cleaners have ammonia, amongst other elements that might irritate your skin, eyes, nose, or throat and even cause burns. Wear protective equipment like rubber gloves, mask, and goggles while cleaning.
2. Paints: The toxic fumes that emit from paints cause nausea, headaches, and even chronic bronchitis. The solution is simple- get some fresh air and moderate the time spent with freshly painted walls. Experts suggest you let the fan run for 48 hours after a fresh coat.
3. From batteries to chlorine tablets, products must be handled with utmost caution and stored in approved containers, away from the reach of children.

Vectors and Pests

Keeping your home safe from vectors and nuisance species is essential as it factors as one of the five common household hazards. Get rid of these unwanted guests by:

1. Diagnosing and exterminating the problem from the root. This would cost you anywhere between $100 and $500, but it’s a one-time investment.
2. Getting rid of pesky rodents by avoiding nesting and eliminating breeding spots. This will cost you nothing.
3. Avoiding damage to the property and contamination of resources using pest-proof material like durable wire mesh and metal. Rats love to gnaw with their curved set of teeth, but a metal screen makes it hard for them to gnaw through.

Choking Hazards

Safeguards for children tend to put things in their mouths. Hence, you must look for chipped wood, plastic pieces, and more.

All appliances at home can be potentially hazardous if not maintained correctly. Make active efforts to make sure there's no risk of it becoming dangerous.