Owning a home can be exciting, especially during those first few years. You have a comfortable space for you and your family to connect and retreat to. This property is also an investment as you build equity for the future with every payment. The home can also be customized to suit your exact preferences and needs.
As with anything, however, there are some risks that come along with the benefits of homeownership in Portland, OR. Safety and security are critical components of a positive living experience in a residential property. As the owner, it is your responsibility to prioritize safety for yourself, your family, and the property itself.
While there is no reason to be terrified as a homeowner of these potential risks, it is important that you at least understand what safety and security concerns exist when you own a house. Let’s discuss some of the risks you should be aware of.
House Fires
Homes contain many elements that could create a spark and initiate a house fire. Ovens, dryers, and electrical outlets are often the biggest culprits for house fires, but other simple things like candles can be just as dangerous. Even if a house fire is contained quickly with a sprinkler system, this may result in severe damage that can only be handled by a firm that does water and fire restoration in Portland, OR. Rather than face these costs and the danger to your lives, research the most common causes of house fires so you can take precautions.
Break-Ins
Burglaries are more common than you might expect. Unfortunately, most burglaries occur when the family is not home or the perpetrators are known by the homeowner. You can take steps to discourage would-be burglars by investing in better security. New locks on the doors, an alarm system, fencing, surveillance cameras, and automatic lights can scare off these perpetrators and prevent break-ins from happening whether you are home or away.
Mold
Mold is present at some level in most homes. It is almost impossible to have completely dry environments throughout the property, especially with areas like crawlspaces, basements, and attics. A mold problem can become extensive, putting residents at risk of allergic reactions, itchy throats, itchy eyes, and even more severe respiratory issues. Paying for mold remediation services to remove the problem and find the source of the moisture can ensure the long-term health of your family by preserving air quality.
Unchanged Locks
When you first move into a new home, the former owner would have turned over all the keys they have to you. However, there is no way to know if any copies were made or if they gave the keys away to other parties. Those people now have access to your home. It is a wise practice to change all the locks on your exterior doors when you move into a new home. That way, you do not have to worry about any copies of old keys that are out there with strangers being used to access your home without permission.
HVAC Systems
Controlling the temperature, humidity, and purity of the air in your home is an ongoing task that is handled by your HVAC system. However, these systems require electricity and other resources to operate properly, which makes them vulnerable to malfunction. Depending on the type of malfunction, you and your family could be in danger from electrical shocks, flooding, or other safety concerns because of the HVAC system. Preventing these dangers can be as simple as routine maintenance and inspections of the HVAC systems by experts to ensure they are working properly.
Sewage Backups
The most toxic kind of water that can enter your home is sewage water. The chemicals make it dangerous just to breathe the air nearby, let alone come into physical contact with the water. Backups can be caused by flooding, drain blockages, or even a failed sump pump. You can protect your home from the worst damages from sewage backups by investing in flood-tight floor access doors to prevent flooding, maintaining your sump pump, keeping trees away from underground pipes, and ensuring all drains are cleared.
Prioritizing Safety as a Homeowner
You could go down a deep rabbit hole trying to consider every possible safety concern that comes with owning a home in Portland. Rather than go crazy worrying about the number of risks, it will be better for your mental health to simply prioritize the main ones. In particular, house fires, water damage, and break-ins are some of the top concerns that you should take steps to mitigate or prevent. If you have young children in your home, talk with them about being safe in the house, like staying away from water heaters and other big appliances without a parent around. Teach them about the importance of home security when you are in the house and when you are not. Preparation is the key to mitigating the various safety concerns of owning a home.
