How to make your house safer

Research from RoSPA has found that the home is the most common place for an accident to happen, with a cost of £45.63 billion to the British economy annually. Home is the place where we expect to be safest, so these statistics may be surprising and unsettling.

However, there are ways we can take safety into our own hands and reduce the risk of these incidents occurring. Here are a few proactive steps you can take to optimise your home for safety.

Make sure walls and doors are fire-resistant

Did you know that it’s possible to make the doors in your home less of a fire hazard by varnishing them and coating them in a special fire-resistant paint?

If you have a timber door that you want to preserve, simply varnishing it will increase its fire resistance without compromising on aesthetics.

For a solution that offers the greatest protection against fire, of course, opt for a fire door.

You can make your walls more fire-resistant too, using fire-resistant plasterboard. GTEC fireboards are a good product to look for. They’re available in different thicknesses; there’s a standard 12.5mm thickness or a 15mm tapered-edge plasterboard that works well for stud partitions, wall linings and ceilings.

Keep alarms in working condition

The official guidance is that you test your smoke detectors once a week by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds. The battery will probably need changing once a year, unless you have a ten-year alarm.

It’s recommended that you have at least one smoke detector on each level of your home, as the kitchen isn’t the only place where a fire can start.

Heat alarms are better suited to rooms that get steamy or smoky so that you won’t have to jump out of your skin just because you’ve burnt the toast. These are triggered when the room reaches a certain temperature. Ideally, these need to be tested every week.

Get a gas safety certificate

Landlords and small businesses are accustomed to acquiring gas safety certificates, but did you know that as a home-owner you can get one, too?

It may not be compulsory for you, but getting a thorough gas safety check will help pinpoint any problems before they become more serious or even, heaven forbid, deadly.

It’ll also come in handy if you sell your house, as potential buyers often want to see such documentation.

Keep the floor dry

Of course, fires aren’t the only cause of home accidents. Slips & trips can result in visits to A&E that you’d rather not have had, so it’s important to maintain a clear, tidy floor which can prevent these occurrences.

Wet floors are a major factor in causing accidents like this. If you can, clean the house when people are out and take measures to dry the floor thoroughly after mopping. Don’t use an excessive amount of detergent as this can make the surface slippery.

By taking a few simple steps and thinking about everyone’s welfare, you can make your house safer for yourself and others around you.

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Designer Desire: Robert P. Gersin

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Health & safety is a necessary but mundane topic. It takes a talented designer to create interesting and eye-catching educational materials in the subject. Frederic H K Henrion was one such person, Robert P. Gersin was another.

We’ve brought together a number of the posters he designed in the 1970s for the National Fire Protection Association – and another – a ‘Plan for New York City’ for the Department of City Planning. They’re all in the possession of the Cooper Hewitt Collection, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York.

I was unable to find any other work credited to Robert P. Gersin as an individual, although I found evidence of logo and branding (e.g. Simon Enterprises, Hackensack Medical Center and the Jamaican government) created by the organisation he founded.

Unfortunately, at the time of writing, none of his designs were available to purchase. In addition, not a lot could be found about the man himself except for this short obituary below:

Robert P. Gersin, an award-winning industrial designer, died of cancer Wednesday at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. He was 60 years old and lived in Manhattan.
Mr. Gersin, a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and the Cranbrook Academy of Art, gained an international reputation through Robert P. Gersin Associates Inc., a company he started in 1959.
He received more than 350 awards for a wide range of designs, including interiors, products and corporate identity programs. In 1984 the company designed the logotype and corporate identity program for Sears, Roebuck & Company, and in 1988 it designed the interior for Casual Corner stores.
Mr. Gersin is survived by his wife, Ingrid; his mother, Belle, of Milton, Mass., and a brother, Barry, of North Cambridge, Mass.

New York Times, 20th October 1989

Six home hazards and how to prevent them

If you’re thinking of renting, building, buying or renovating a home, the first thing you want to do is check for hazards. There are many things inside a house that be extremely dangerous and even fatal. By learning more about them, you can watch for the signs and create a safer environment.

Want to learn more? Then keep on reading. Below, we’re going to look at six of the most common home hazards and how you can prevent them from occurring.

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Mould

Mould is a type of fungus that thrives on moisture. It travels and reproduces with lightweight spores and can multiply rapidly. There are many types of mould, and while some are harmless, others can be extremely dangerous. It’s not always easy to prevent it from growing, but by ensuring that your plumbing is secure, you can reduce it. If you have an existing problem, consider hiring a professional that can remove it in the safest way possible.

Fires

In 2019, the US Fire Department responded to a home fire every 93 seconds. They’re one of the most dangerous hazards; however, you can minimize their risk by following the right safety tips. Some things to remember include:

Testing your smoke alarm
Inspecting heating sources
Properly storing flammable products
Using candles safely
Cooking with caution

Alongside all of this, you want to make sure that your home is in good electrical condition. Speak to the right professionals about getting a panel upgrade or replacement just to be safe.

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Carbon monoxide

An odourless and colourless gas, carbon monoxide is extremely deadly. It comes from appliances that use fossil fuels. When an individual breathes it in, they often experience flu-like symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and weakness. To prevent poisoning from occurring, regularly check your heating appliances and install an alarm system.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a material that was often used in older homes due to its heat-resistant properties. However, it is extremely hazardous and is known to cause cancers and other diseases. If you own a home that is built before the 1980s, it’s essential that you get it tested by the right professionals. If found, they’ll remove it safely so that you can live in your home free of worry.

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Pests

Pests can be irritating; however, they also come with other problems. Certain types such as woodworm and termites can cause severe structural damage to your property, which then leads to other issues. Alongside this, mice can spread terrible diseases, cause allergies and chew through wiring within your wall. A pest inspector can help treat your home to prevent them from entering and can also get rid of any pre-existing infestations. You may also want to check out these natural bug remedies for even more protection!

Falls

While falls aren’t a hazard on their own, certain things around the house can lead to them. In fact, it’s the most common cause of household injuries in the US. To prevent them from occurring, make sure to cover slippery surfaces, keep the floor clean and stabilise any stairs. By being vigilant, you can remain safe.

[disclosure*]

Price Points: Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

This week, there was a sudden, short, high-pitched scream that emanated from behind a chair in our sitting room. No, it wasn’t me thinking I’d spotted a mad axe murderer. It was a signal that the battery in one of our carbon monoxide detectors was dying.

After inspecting the unit, we realised that it was one of those that you can’t replace the battery; it just had to be disposed of… why do they design them like that? Surely it’s a wasteful method.

Our sitting room has a wood-burning stove and is directly below one of the bedrooms in our little cottage. Because of this, we decided to replace it with one of these combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

The Google Nest example is perfect for people that like their gadgets; it can be easily checked and controlled by your smart phone or Google Nest Hub. However, with the iffy wi-fi strength in our house, I’d rather the X-Sense. It has a battery life of a decade and a clear, colour-coded display that lets you know the status of the device and it measures carbon monoxide levels every 10 seconds.

1. Carbon monoxide and smoke combination detector alarm: £12.69, eBay
  Batteries not included. Use a rechargeable 9V alkaline 6LR61 or carbon zinc battery 6F22.
2. X-Sense 10-year battery combination smoke & carbon monoxide alarm detector with LCD display: £29.99, Amazon
3. Google Nest Protect smoke & carbon monoxide alarm – battery: £96.99, John Lewis
  Comes with long-life batteries. Also available as a mains wired product.

shop combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

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