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Did you know that there are many hidden dangers lurking in your home? You may have spent sums of money beautifying your house, but there are little details that could make it unpleasant and even downright deadly if you overlook them. Here are four red flags that you need to pay immediate attention to at home.

Filthy Carpet

Carpets can do a great job of tying up different elements of a room together. An otherwise cold and dull floor can instantly pop out with the addition of a lovely carpet. However, that gorgeousness can become the breeding ground of molds and mites. Aside from dust mites and allergens, at least 200,000 germs and bacteria could be lurking in the carpet. If your nose has been feeling stuffy and you’re experiencing allergies lately, it might be time to clean the carpet. In addition to the weekly vacuuming sessions, you also need to deep clean the carpet at least every six months. This extends to rugs all over the house too

If you don’t have a steam cleaner, a natural way to deep clean the carpet is to use a mixture of 1-quart water, one tablespoon of dish soap, and ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar. Test apply the solution on a small area of your rug first before cleaning the rest. Deep cleaning can be time-consuming, so if you don’t have the time for it, simply hire professional cleaning services to do the job for you.

Broken Locks

How many times have you had to force open a jammed lock using all kinds of household items? Broken locks are annoying, but they can also be very dangerous especially if you have a child in the house. With their endless reserves of energy and curiosity, children love playing, exploring, and getting into all kinds of trouble. This could spell disaster in a house with malfunctioning doorknobs, locks, and deadbolts as kids could end up getting accidentally trapped. Do regular checkups of the locks around your home, including those on closets that a curious kid can walk into. Immediately replace rusty old locks with new ones. Double-check cabinets and drawers that contain sharp objects and hazardous substances.

In addition to replacing the locks, you should also keep a lockpick gun or similar tools on hand in case of emergencies. Store it in a safe place that children can’t easily access.

Leaks

Your bathroom may be a small space, but it can be one of the most dangerous rooms in your home. In fact, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 235,000 people end up in the emergency room every year because of accidents that happened in the bathroom, and the majority of this is caused by falls. Your family may slip and fall in the bathroom because of a leaky pipe.

Leaks are dangerous, and they can damage other parts of the house. Small leaks can spread and leave unsightly water stains, and replacing drywall or flooring that have been stained is not cheap. The puddles and moisture that form can also cause mold growth, and treating mold growth can cost you between $500 to $3,000. If you notice leaks in your home, immediately check what could be the problem. For a more thorough inspection, hire a professional plumber who can assess the damage and what repairs need to be made.

Emergency Phone Numbers

Do you and your family know who to call in the event of an emergency, like a fire or injury? Make a list of important emergency contacts and family members who can help for situations like fire, theft, injuries, and pest control. Make multiple copies of this list and keep it in visible areas like near the telephone and on the refrigerator door. If you have children, make sure to teach them about these numbers. You can also ask everyone in your home to take a photo of this list on their phone so they have a copy of it at all times.

These may sound like simple tasks, but they can save you and your loved ones a lot of trouble if something unexpected happens. It’s better to imagine and prepare for worst-case scenarios than wait for them to happen.

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