Your home should serve as your safe space. Yet, a household problem could pose a serious or even fatal risk to you or your loved ones.

While you likely understand the importance of turning off an iron or unplugging devices, there could be issues lurking beneath the surface.

Don’t leave your loved ones’ well-being to chance and instead learn about the secret health dangers inside your home.

Radon

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after cigarette smoke.

Tragically, 20,000 people die every year from breathing in radon gradually. The odorless, invisible gas can enter homes and workplaces through cracks and holes in a foundation.

Test your home for radon using a simple plastic detector, which you will need to place in a room for three months.

Next, ship the test off to a laboratory that will measure and calculate the radon level in your home.

If your home has a high level of radon gas, remediation work can reduce the levels in your home.

Mold

Mold is an obvious warning sign your property is struggling with excess moisture.

The problem isn’t only visually unappealing, but it can pose a health risk for those living with respiratory issues and compromised immune systems, and can trigger allergic reactions.

If you notice damp spots or experience a musty smell, it is a sign you’re living with mold.

For this reason, you must improve ventilation in the home by opening windows and doors, drying clothing outdoors, and using an extractor fan when cooking or showering.

Also, it is important to be aware that mold can grow in hidden areas in the home.

For example, it is a common issue in attics across the country, as excess moisture can make its way to your property’s crawl spaces.

Find out why loft ventilation is important for stopping a build-up of condensation indoors.

Carbon Monoxide

Similar to radon, carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can prove deadly if high levels leak into poorly ventilated spaces.

The gas is produced from various everyday objects and appliances, such as cars, stoves, furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and more.

Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include:

  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness
  • A loss of consciousness

A CO detector can alert inhabitants of a carbon monoxide leak in a home.

It will ensure you and your loved ones can flee the property and then call 911 to report the problem immediately.

Remember, prolonged exposure can pose a serious risk to your health.

Asbestos

If you live in an older property, you might be at risk of asbestos. Once used as insulation, fireproofing, and in textiles, it was declared a carcinogen during the 1970s and banned for use.

Yet, many older properties may still contain the fibrous minerals, and it will likely only pose a health risk if it is damaged or disturbed.

Asbestos fibers are dangerous, as you may inhale the tiny particles when handled, which can lead to various health issues, such as tumors, a loss of lung function, or lung cancer.

It is impossible to tell if your home has asbestos by looking at it. Organize for a professional to inspect your property for asbestos if it was built before the 1980s.