Electrical Generators
Home electrical generators emit toxic exhaust
just as a car engine does, so under no circumstances should you ever try
running a generator inside your house, basement, attached garage, or any
building where humans actually live and breathe – not even if you keep the
doors and windows open. Electrical generators are responsible for most
non-fire-related carbon monoxide deaths.
Carbon monoxide gas is invisible and odourless;
you need alarms to detect it because human senses simply cannot. Get to fresh
air right away if you start to feel dizzy or weak. The Carbon monoxide from
generators can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death. If you are
concerned about theft, secure your generator outside.
Household plants
Plants may be pretty but can be deceptively
dangerous if you have children running around the house. Popular varieties like
daffodil, iris, lily-of-the-valley, ivy, and mistletoe are poisonous when
consumed. They contain toxins or dangerous chemicals to protect themselves from
insects,
animals—and yes, humans.
So play it safe and keep them out of your
home, especially if you have curious children.
Extension Cords
Extension cords are serious tripping hazards and can
also cause residential fires. Fires are mostly caused by misuse or overloading
the system, so just make sure that you are always using them correctly and only
on a temporary basis, rather than keeping every space packed.
Scarves
That scarf can be fashionable but not always
safe.
It can get caught in anything that moves,
presenting safety issues
throughout your home, during the use of blenders, garbage disposals,
lawn
mowers and any other equipment that has a rotating part.
Just remove your scarf
before using those things to stay safe.
Lint/Dryers
Cleaning out the lint filter is easy but can
often be overlooked. That's a mistake, as failing to remove lint from the dryer
is the leading cause of 2,900 annual dryer fires, which results in 100 injuries
and 5 deaths each year, says the U.S. Fire Administration. All the more reason to get back to good habits
and clean the lint filter after each load of laundry (or before you start your
next one), and remove lint from the vent pipe (the tube at the back of the
machine that releases the hot air outside of your home) every three months.
Toothpaste
The warning is right there on the label:
"Seek immediate medical help if you ingest toothpaste." If you
consume too much, the overdose can cause stomach pain and intestinal blockage.
But if the toothpaste contains fluoride, as most do these days, it gets far
more serious—convulsions, difficulty breathing, and heart attack (amongst other
scary side effects), according to Medline Plus.
We're not suggesting that you avoid toothpaste (no one wants stinky breath), but
make sure you and your children are using the designated pea-sized amount, and
thoroughly rinsing with each brush.
Air Conditioners
On a hot summer day, A/C saves the day. But when
it's leaking, it's a setup for refrigerant poisoning, which can cause heart
palpitations, seizures, and can cut off oxygen to your lungs and cells,
ultimately causing death, says Healthline. It is mostly appliance repairers or installers that
are at risk for the poisoning because they're around these cooling devices all
day, which work by using Freon, a refrigerant substance that transforms from a
liquid to an odourless gas (it's responsible for keeping your fridge cool, too).
But they have protocols in place to stay safe, so if you notice a leaky A/C, be
sure to skip the DIY and call a professional to get it repaired.