10 deadly traps that lurk in your home

The content of the article

• Gas radon
• Water
• Lead and Asbestos
• Mold
• Appliances
• Garden shed
• Carbon monoxide
• Garage Waste
• Cleaning products
• Bathroom

Many people imagine housing as a real fortress. In practice, a house is not always safe for its inhabitants. Often a deadly threat lurks where it is very difficult to suspect, for example, in the paint of walls or a refrigerator.

Gas radon

It is a by-product of the decomposition of uranium and a strong carcinogen. It is formed underground, often penetrates into rooms through basements of buildings, cracks in the foundation, etc. With prolonged inhalation, this natural gas causes dangerous diseases, of which the worst is lung cancer.

The best protection against the harmful effects of this gas is to check the housing with special devices. They will discover its presence. Today they produce various test kits that allow you to control the content of radon in your home. When purchasing such a kit, look at its compliance with the requirements of the federal health authorities (look for a mention of this on the package).

Water

In many cities, outdated pipelines, due to which heavy metal salts (for example, lead) get into the liquid. Even those residents who receive water from wells or wells cannot guarantee that it is free from pollution by radon, oil or fertilizers from the ground..

For those who want to reduce the number of dangers at home, there are several ways:

1. Take water samples from the tap, give them for analysis (such a service is provided by sanitary-epidemiological stations). Ideally, this should be done regularly – every 2-3 years.
2. Buy filter.
3. For drinking, cooking, buying bottled water.

Lead and Asbestos

New houses are being built in compliance with all the latest sanitary standards. If your building is older than 1978, there is a high probability that paint with lead content was used to finish it. Another danger of old buildings – asbestos.

These substances pose a health risk, but if there is a small child in the house, experts advise leaving everything as it is. Removal is an expensive and lengthy procedure that is best left to professionals to prevent poisonous dust from infecting even more space..

Mold

It is not so dangerous when it grows on drying bread or overripe fruits, but one that has settled in the inconspicuous places of the bathroom or basement poses a serious threat to health. There are more than 1000 species of fungi that can settle in residential premises, especially if the house was flooded or the roof leaks.

Such fungi can lead to many ailments – ranging from a runny nose and itching in the eyes to asthma, respiratory infections. As in the case of lead paint, it is better to entrust their removal to specialists who eliminate not only mold, but also possible foci of its appearance.

Appliances

Old devices (especially refrigerators, air conditioners) can put a lot of stress on decrepit wiring, which can easily lead to a fire. Dryers, air conditioners, hoods, which can create problems if you do not periodically clean their dust filters from accumulated dust, also present dangers in everyday life..

To avoid problems, follow these tips:

• Make sure that the wiring in the house has the necessary cross-section, everything is properly grounded.
• If you have an old refrigerator, pay close attention to its operation. If you suspect a freon leak, call a wizard immediately.
• If you need to disassemble the appliance, be sure to unplug it.

Garden shed

A well-kept green lawn free of weeds is the best illustration of how chemistry helps our lives. Do not forget that pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers can pose very serious home hazards. When used improperly, they increase the likelihood of cancer, various genetic abnormalities and lung diseases.

Carbon monoxide

If natural gas is used in the house for heating or cooking, you need to be especially vigilant. Carbon monoxide released during incomplete combustion can quickly cause poisoning. Another name for this danger at home is carbon monoxide. To protect yourself and loved ones from it, you need to keep ventilation in good condition and acquire indicators that will signal a high concentration of toxic substances.

Garage Waste

Car owners need to know that antifreeze, brake fluid, and batteries are serious sources of danger even after they have reached their end of life. In many cities, special recycling points have been opened, and it will be right to go there than to get rid of these reagents on your own, polluting the environment with such actions.

Cleaning products

These substances contain potent chemicals (chlorine, etc.) that pose a health hazard. More than half of the poisonings recorded by doctors occur in children under 6 years of age, which is why it is very important to store these funds in safe places. To increase safety at home, store all bleaches, polishes, fresheners and other products in the basement, garage or barn, where accidental contact with food is excluded.

Bathroom

Cosmetics, personal care products also pose a threat to health if used improperly. Safe-looking products, such as shaving creams or moisturizers, may contain toxic oxybenzone. Even the usual fluoride toothpaste will harm you if swallowed. For this reason, they must be used strictly for their intended purpose, carefully reading the instructions, the chemical composition.