9 Health Hazards In Home

We feel safe and secure in our snuggled homes, surrounded by loved ones. But unfortunately, every year, millions of seemingly safe homes become the scene of preventable accidents, causing injuries and even fatalities. Shockingly, in the U.S. alone, 18,000 lives are lost, and 21 million injuries occur annually, costing a staggering $220 billion in healthcare. The culprit? Often, it's the very things we consider harmless – common household hazards.

This might seem alarming, but the good news is that prevention is power. By taking a closer look at your home environment, you can identify and address hidden dangers, transforming your haven into a truly safe space. Remember, we spend a whopping 90% of our time indoors, making proactive measures even more crucial. So, let's read our guide about 9 health hazards in home so once you know about them, you can take precautionary measures.

3 Potential Health Hazards In Home

Arsenic

Arsenic is naturally available and formed in the earth's crust, but that doesn't mean that it is not harmless. It is cancer-causing and present in water, soil, and air. In some areas of the United States, like Alaska, Northwest, Southwest, and Northeast, arsenic is present in the highest concentration in natural groundwater. 

Mainly, it is used in making glass, paper, textiles, pigments, wood preservatives, and metal adhesives. The most dangerous levels of arsenic are found in water and food.

Immediate and common symptoms of arsenic poisoning include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and sometimes, in severe conditions, it leads to death. It is also best known for causing skin cancer, lungs, and bladder. You can reduce arsenic exposure by removing wood treated with arsenic-containing preservatives ACZA or CCA. Install an arsenic removal system after testing the water in the home.

Formaldehyde

Another odorless and colorless chemical that can become a health hazard in the home is formaldehyde. This chemical is frequently used in household products such as building materials. Products that produce toxins at home are pressed wood, gas stoves, tobacco smoke, and cosmetics. Formaldehyde is dangerous after inhalation from air, ingestion, and absorption through your skin.

National Cancer Society states that formaldehyde can be a significant cause of cancer like Leukemia. Other less severe reactions include irritation of the eyes, nose, skin, and throat. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims its toxicity is reduceable. They recommend purchasing exterior-grade pressed wood, using air conditioners and dehumidifiers, and ventilating the home.

Asbestos:

Asbestos is a dangerous material that becomes a severe health hazard in the home. It is a naturally occurring mineral fiber whose severity was well-known in the 1920s. Despite its severity, it was heavily used in various industries due to its insulating properties in the 1940s and 1980s. As it is affordable and widespread, asbestos was common in homes built then.

Asbestos fiber inhalation becomes the major cause of mesothelial cancer, as it can enter and embed in the internal organs. The common one is pleural mesothelioma, which directly affects your lung lining. Pleural mesothelioma's common symptoms include persistent cough, chest pain, fluid around the lungs, swelling of the face and arms, trouble swallowing, and shortness of breath. Mostly, mesothelioma is incurable, but early detection can save lives and improve life expectancy.

Despite being dangerous, asbestos is still available in the United States, and the country also imports it. The reason for its import is its usage in the production of different items. The most common are automotive materials, cement, roofing materials, flooring, and tiles. People who are concerned about the health hazards due to asbestos should hire a professional to inspect its presence. Like asbestos, we should be cautious about different toxic materials in our homes that impact our lives and families.

6 Other Common Health Hazards Which Lead To Death In Homes

In addition to the potential health hazards discussed above, some other common health hazards lead to death in homes; let's read them.

Falls:

Another common health hazard that causes death is falls. Falls are one-third of all fatalities. These types of accidents are common in elders. Set aside other fatalities; when an elderly person falls, the other associated problems become more serious. Young people suffer from broken bones, but broken bones are much more severe in elders because of the slow healing process.

Above 75 years of age, hip fracture is a common and severe problem that needs long-term care and creates serious mobility issues. Although falls occur without any reason, some reasons for falls are broken stairs and hoarding stuff, so in that case, restoration of the home and hoarding cleanup services are essential to hiring.

Fire Hazards

Fires are another common danger we experience as health hazards in the home. It may occur due to faulty electrical wiring inside the wall or malfunctioning electrical outlets. Sometimes, using candles at home or burning flames is also risky. 

Approximately 3,000 Americans are affected every year by fire hazards, and that is an alarming situation. Due to the large number of affected, fire is the third biggest killer in in-home accidents.

Poisoning (Accidental & Suicide):

Poisoning is also a major cause of fatalities, leading to 5,000 deaths a year in the U.S. These results of death are heartbreaking, and the calamity is most of them are young children who accidentally intake poison. To protect your children from this most common health hazard at home, be cautious about the statistics and follow the safety tips.

Poisoning is also common in adults and elders, and there are many causes why they get poisoned, but most of the time, the primary reason is stress and anxiety. Suicide rate is higher in adults than in younger ones. Try to keep your loved ones away from suicidal thoughts, but in unfortunate situations like after suicide, a suicide cleanup company is essential to hire to make your homes and vehicles clean to protect you and your loved ones from biohazardous bodily fluids.

Burn & Injuries

Injuries and burns are also one of the most significant health hazards at home. These injuries include burns, ingestion of foreign objects, drowning, smoke inhalation, cuts and collisions with objects, fractured bones due to structural collapse, and much more. Candles, hot ovens, and fireplaces are the biggest health hazards in your home. However, electrical cords, appliances, and faulty outlets can cause burns in the home. Death as a result of burns and injuries requires a biohazardous cleanup or odor removal if it involves bodily fluids like blood. 

Mold:

Mold is the biggest reason for damage to the home. Sometimes, the damage is increased so much that it needs to restore the house. Therefore, controlling the mold and restoring the house is essential. Remember that sometimes abandoned or neglected houses are more prone to mold and structural damage; in that case, a distressed property cleanup service is essential to hire.

Electrical hazards

Electrical hazards, such as old, worn-out, and defective electrical wiring, are dangerous. These electrical hazards result in power surges and electrical fires. People also get electric shocks and burns from faulty live wire contacts.

Whom Should You Call For Cleanup Service?

Health hazards in home are so serious that they can be fatal in many cases. Whether it's natural or homicide, everyone recommends that natural death and crime scene cleanup services are essential to hiring to keep away further damage to houses and those living in them.

We wish you and the people around you a happy and safe life, but God forbids it; in case of the sudden demise of a person due to health hazards, 911 Bio & Trauma Cleaners are here for your help. From a professional team to the right and certified methods, we are a whole package to manage such tragic situations without passing any judgment.

We know that life is unpredictable and sudden deaths are so traumatic that scars take months and years to mend. In such a situation, cleaning isn't possible for a family, so we offer our services 24/7/365 without any holiday for society.

From blood to decomposition cleanup, we clean your home and restore it to its normal condition with the right methods, equipment, and safety gear. So, call us anytime when you need our services.