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How To Prevent Accidents In Your Home

Since we spend most of our time at home, it stands to reason that we are prone to having an accident there. It’s simply a numbers game. From slips and falls to burns to just about any other injury you can imagine, our home is where it is most likely to happen.

As they say, prevention is the best medicine, so rather than just have a first aid kit ready for an injury, it’s best to try to avoid the accident to begin with. It’s easier said than done, of course, but with the right idea you can make your house an injury free zone.

In this article, I will give you several ideas on just how to keep your home safe from injury.
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1 - Keep a safe pool

Homes with pools are especially prone to injuries and they can be quite serious. If you have a pool then you need to pay particular attention to safety and have some protocols in place to make sure everybody knows how to stay protected.

The first line of defense is to have a fence around the pool that has a lock on the gate. This way kids or dogs can’t wander in and get into trouble by falling into a pool. You can research more at pool safety melbourne for details about pool fencing options and to better understand what safety features might be necessary for your home. This is actually required in some municipalities if you plan to have a pool anyway.

It’s a good idea to have a camera in the pool area so you can monitor what is happening there so there are no surprises. A home automation system will have motion detecting cameras that turn on when something comes into frame. Then you’re alerted on your device so you can watch remotely.

Then, have a non-slip surface on the deck area around the pool so there are no slip and falls that could be really bad. Also, make sure that you have signs for no diving and other types of rough activity that can result in an injury.

2 - Have fire extinguishers

It is a good idea to have several fire extinguishers around the house. Fires are very common and not just in the kitchen. Of course, it makes sense to have one within reach in the kitchen in case of a grease fire. But, you should also have one in the laundry room where fires can happen from lint build up in the dryer exhaust.

In fact, make sure that you are cleaning out your dryer exhaust occasionally so it is less likely to happen.

Then, keep some others scattered around as you never know where a fire can break out in the house. If you have a barbecue area in your garden, then this is another location that should definitely have a fire extinguisher.
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3 - Keep appliances maintained

Some appliances like the dryer being dirty with lint as was already mentioned can be quite dangerous if they are not maintained. Especially appliances that get hot like a water boiler or heater.

If your water heater is overheating, then this could spell danger in two ways. One is that it can send scalding hot water to your fixtures that can burn you. And, young children are susceptible to burns from hot water with their sensitive skin.

Secondly, they can explode or cause fires if they overheat. Sometimes it’s the electrical work that is old on these older water heaters that can cause fires, as well.

Make sure that you are having your appliances inspected and serviced on time so that way at the first sign of danger, you can have it fixed or replaced. If you have old appliances then this is a good time to replace them with something more efficient and even safer.

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The Benefits of Gutter Splash Blocks on Your Home

Owning a home requires a lot of maintenance and upkeep. From indoor cleaning to yard work, the list of chores seems never-ending. Certain home-improvement projects are crucial to protecting your home from further damage in the long run. For example, failure to clean and maintain your gutter system can cause leaks and cracks in the gutters, damage to the siding, and even mold, fungus, and rot. Splash blocks are key components of the gutter system and play a key role in protecting the home from serious damage. 

What Are Splash Blocks?

Gutter systems require regular cleaning to avoid build-up and water overflow from the gutters. When gutters overflow, it can lead to damage to the gutter system, siding, and foundation of the home. However, splash blocks are critical pieces of gutter systems as well.

Splash blocks lie at the base of the gutter downspouts. Gutters collect precipitation, which flows into the downspouts and out onto the splash blocks. The purpose of placing splash blocks at the bottom of downspouts is to guide water away from the foundation of the home. Splash blocks allow water to be distributed evenly across the yard.

Splash blocks are made up of various materials, such as rubber, concrete, granite, or plastic. Most splash blocks have narrow entries for the water to flow down from the gutter. The shape widens at the base with a slight angle, so that the water can continue to flow down away from the house. The appearance of splash blocks is usually not noteworthy; however, some homeowners select ones that add to the decorative landscape of their yard.
Although splash blocks are small and simple structures, without them, your home could be at risk for serious damage that could cost you hundreds of dollars to repair.

What Are the Benefits of Splash Blocks?

The benefits of splash blocks are countless. The most obvious benefit of splash blocks is that they eliminate water pooling around the foundation of your home. Without splash blocks, the water will have nowhere to go, and it will grow into a puddle. Water can cause cracks and mold in the foundation of the home, which can be incredibly expensive to reverse.

Without splash blocks, the water buildup can lead to damage similar to that of a clogged gutter, including rot, fungus, mold, drywall damage, and soil erosion. The pool of water can become so large that it eventually ruins the yard.

In addition to home protection, splash blocks evenly disperse the water across the yard. This provides natural irrigation to the landscaping. Despite all these benefits, splash blocks should be directed away from gardens or new grass. The streams of water can be too much for the vulnerable areas of the yard. You will also need to make sure the splash blocks are pointed in the correct direction. Otherwise, they do more harm than good.

Where Can You Buy Splash Blocks?

Most garden supply and big-box retailers sell splash blocks. They range in prices depending on the material as well as how simple or complex the splash blocks are. You should purchase the same number of splash blocks as the number of downspouts in your gutter system. Splash blocks come with a slight angle but can also build a natural ramp of mulch or rocks for quicker distribution of water, which will slow erosion of the area. Splash blocks are a necessity for all homes and must be replaced regularly to remain effective.
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What to Do if Your Furnace Short-Cycles

You most likely already need to use your furnace, at least occasionally. Hopefully, you performed the annual furnace maintenance. This kind of maintenance is very important for proper functioning of the heating system throughout the heating season.

Your furnace was dormant for the better part of the year, so it definitely needs some attention prior to everyday use to prevent breakdowns. If, however, you do experience problems with your furnace, you need to act quickly. You don’t want to be left without heating when proper winter sets in. Contact a professional and experienced heating service like https://www.actionac.net/heating-system-furnace-repair-san-diego/. One of the most common problems with furnaces is short-cycling. So, what is short-cycling and how do you recognize it?

Short-Cycling 

Chances are you have heard about this problem associated with air conditioning units, but it can just as easily happen to the heating systems and for the same reason. Namely, short-cycling happens when your furnace starts and stops too quickly and too often.

There are several possible reasons why this could happen. In most cases, you should able to identify the problem, but fixing it is probably out of your hands, and you will probably need professional help.

Your Furnace Is Oversized 

This problem should be evident from the first time you turn on our new furnace. You may think that bigger is always better, but it doesn’t really apply to furnaces. You don’t want the biggest thing on the market, you want something appropriately sized for your home. If you have miscalculated and gotten a furnace which is too powerful for your home, the result is short-cycling.

Essentially, your furnace is too effective at heating your home. However, that comes with a drawback. It means that your furnace will not be as economical doing it. It will expend too much energy in a short time, then stay inactive for a period, and then repeat that process. A more economical setup is an appropriately sized furnace which will work continuously. Not only will it be more economical, but it will also help with reducing the wear and tear, so your furnace will serve you longer and it will be less likely to break down.

Overheating Issues

Another reason why your furnace keeps turning on and off so frequently may be due to overheating. Your furnace may be shutting down automatically to prevent any more severe damage. One of the biggest concerns with this issue is carbon monoxide leaking into your home. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, so the only way to figure out whether it is in your environment is to have a carbon monoxide detector close to your furnace.

The main cause of overheating is the restricted airflow, whether it is a dirty air filter or a blockage in the vents. This will trap very hot air near your furnace and cause some physical damage to your heat exchanger, leading to the problems listed above.

Thermostat Issues

Maybe your furnace is not to blame, maybe it is getting confusing inputs from your thermostat. The thermostat tells the furnace when to start and how hot it should run, so if the problem lies in the thermostat, your furnace can experience a whole range of problems, including short-cycling.

You can test this by setting your thermostat to different temperatures and monitor the changes. However, ultimately, you will need a skilled professional to come and take a look at the problem.

Short-cycling is not only a nuisance, it could be an indication of much more serious problems, which is why you should treat it seriously and consult your heating technicians as soon as you determine that there is a problem.

To contact Action Air Conditioning & Heating of San Diego
4455 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite 100–5,
San Diego, CA 92123, USA
800-400-4152
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