3 Ways Your Home Can Kill You

We love our homes because they keep us warm, safe and sound. But the same forces keeping us happy can turn on us and cause us harm--whether it's creating a hospitable environment for dangerous predators, or leaky gas lines that turn lethal. Here are five dangers to look out for. See all 10 Ways Your Home Can Kill You at thisoldhouse.com

• 1. Deadly Odorless Gas

  

  We all go to sleep at night, but each year 170 of us never wake up thanks to this silent killer. Carbon monoxide poisoning caused by malfunctioning fuel burning appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water and room heaters poses a dangerous threat to you and your family. One way to protect yourself is to make sure you vent the exhaust of these appliances properly, angling pipes up, not down, as these folks have done. Hot air rises, you know—and checking that vents are free of cracks and gaps is another good way to be sure the pipes aren't the problem. Most importantly, install a standard carbon monoxide detector. They only cost 20 bucks and are the best way to protect your family. See all 10 Ways Your Home Can Kill You at thisoldhouse.com

• 2. Death By Dryer Lint?

  

  Though you might not imagine innocent fuzz as a serious killer, give especially flammable lint in the basement a second look. Too much lint build-up inside your dyer can lead to a dryer fire. And too much lint outside this appliance can do the same thing, especially if it's piling up next to, say, a water heater with a pilot light, like it is here. Keep a radius of several feet around water heaters and make sure combustible materials, such as paints, solvents, and, yes, dryer lint are out of reach of furnaces. If you notice lint build up, make sure your dryer vent pipe isn't cracked. If it is, replace it immediately, or patch it up with some foil tape. See all 10 Ways Your Home Can Kill You at thisoldhouse.com

• 3. Bats

  

  Not only are they fearsome to deal with--those nasty bats in the attic can spread rabies and, worse, contaminate the air with their foul feces, the fumes of which can lead to deadly histoplasmosis. Then there are the snakes that go hunting after them for a good meal. So what are they all doing in your attic? They found a way in—through a hole or crack in your house's skin. If you find a gap even as small as a finger's width, just assume something awful has taken advantage of the easy access. Then deal with it. See all 10 Ways Your Home Can Kill You at thisoldhouse.com