The average modern home depends on a multitude of appliances, electronic systems, and other equipment that keep life going day-to-day. It’s easy to forget about these things when they’re working properly, but the truth is that commonly used equipment could be secretly harming the health of your household. Here’s what all homeowners and property managers need to do to ensure safe living:
Clean out dryer ducts
Dryer ducts gradually fill with lint and other debris over time, and they should be cleaned out at least once a year as a result. If not cleaned, the buildup can block the chute and cause fires. Lint is highly flammable after all, and dryers generate high amounts of heat.
If you’re still unconvinced that this equipment needs to be cleaned out regularly for your health, consider this: the U.S. Fire Administration reports that failure to clean out dryer ducts is actually the leading cause of home fires. About 2,900 of these fires occur every year, resulting in an average of $35 million in property damage, 100 personal injuries, and five deaths.
Upgrade kitchen appliances
Much as we’d all like for our kitchen appliances to last forever, they are usually only designed to hold up no longer than a decade. As these appliances get older, the wiring can wear down and cause fires. Some, like blenders and microwaves, may no longer be as powerful, which can cause people to over-use them and increase the risks of fire and injury. Old refrigerators can likewise lose their cooling power over time and cause harmful bacteria to grow more quickly on food items.
It’s a good idea to keep a journal or a running list of all your kitchen appliances and what year you got them. Inspect each one at least every three years to ensure it’s working properly. Once you notice any loss of power or signs of electrical failure (like sparks or burning smells), it’s time to replace your appliances. It’s also important to clean out all appliances regularly (especially your microwave) to prevent buildup that can increase the likelihood of malfunction.
Maintain your septic system
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that more than 60 million Americans have septic systems (as opposed to traditional community plumbing) in their homes. But while septic systems are common, many people do not know how to properly maintain them. Septic tanks that are too full or wearing down can cause waste to seep into the earth around them, which can contaminate groundwater and expose residents to toxic substances.
Routine maintenance is key to preventing this. The average single-family home septic system should be inspected and pumped at least once every three years by a professional, while households with five or more people will need to do so more often. If you are looking for the best toilet paper to use on your septic tank, then consider Charmin Ultra Strong Toilet Paper.
It’s also important to watch what you’re actually putting into your septic tank. While they are designed to hold liquids and liquid-based waste, they are not equipped for other items. It’s, therefore, crucial to avoid hooking up your garbage disposal to your septic system, as food buildup can clog the pipes as well as quickly lead to trouble with the tank itself. Using water efficiently (i.e., not leaving the water running unnecessarily) will also help to prevent septic systems from getting full or breaking down too fast.
Nothing malfunctioning? Keep following maintenance schedules
Many homeowners let their household equipment maintenance routines slip when previous checks indicated everything was fine. However, it’s important to know that tragedy can strike when you least expect it. When they do, they can cost more than just your health, and that’s reason enough to be concerned as it is.
For example, most people think of car accidents when they think of common injury and damage claims (and indeed, these accidents account for 52% of all such cases), but home accidents are another major cause of personal injury cases. Unlike motor vehicle accidents, injuries that take place in your home are often not covered by home insurance. This is especially true with preventable scenarios — like dryer duct fires.
The solution? Always keep a regular maintenance and inspection schedule for all of your home equipment and devices. While it may seem like a nuisance at times, it could save your life someday.