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Preventing Home Disasters with a Safety Checklist

Our homes should be sanctuaries for our families, but they are not intrinsically harm–free: effort is required to ensure they are safe environments. To help keep yourself and your loved ones out of harm’s way, I am going to provide you with a 20–point safety checklist that you can perform throughout your house to prevent the most common causes of catastrophe.

Each item on the checklist is a question you should be able to answer in the affirmative. If any answer is "no," then you should take immediate steps to rectify the problem.

Water and Leaks

1. Do all your faucets stop running after the taps have been shut off? Leaking water is costly, damaging, and contributes to dangerous mold growth.
2. Has your hot water been manually tested to ensure it does not exceed 120 degrees? Water that is any hotter than that can scald skin in less than one second.
3. You have found no evidence of leaks? Evidence includes moisture, water staining, and rust.
4. There are no wet spots, stains, odours, or discolouration anywhere?

Valves

5. Are all shutoff valves easily accessible and operating smoothly? Stopping the flow of water, electricity, or gas will prevent most plumbing or electrical emergencies.
6. Are hose bibs and irrigation valves equipped with backflow preventers or air gaps? These devices will prevent backpressure from drawing contaminants into your drinking water.

Gas

7. Does your gas meter stop running when appliances and pilot lights are turned off? If not, there is a leak somewhere in the line.
8. Are combustible gasses a safe distance from flames or sparks?
9. Is there proper circulation around all gas devices? There should be good airflow to, through, and away from any gas units.

Electricity

10. Do all your fuses and circuit breakers properly match each circuit’s amperage ratings?
11. You have not bypassed any fuses or circuit breakers?
12. Do all your plugs match their outlets, and are unaltered?
13. Do all your light bulbs match the recommended wattage for each fixture or lamp?
14. Are outdoor fixtures weatherproof, and do outdoor outlets have weatherproof covers?
15. Does each circuit have no more than one high–amperage appliance plugged into it?

Cords

16. Are extension cords being used only for temporary and immediate use?
17. Are all electrical cords a safe distance from heat–producing appliances?
18. Are traffic paths and play areas free of exposed electrical cords?
19. No cords have been pinched behind or underneath furniture?
20. Electrical cords have not been covered with carpets or run across doorways?

Safety Lessons for the Whole Family

I would recommend bringing the entire family along when you perform this 20–point safety checklist, because every member of your family should be aware of these possibly life–saving electrical and plumbing tips.

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, be sure to resolve the issue, or call a ClearView Calgary Plumber if you require professional inspections, maintenance, installations, or repairs.