Our inspectors at Dedant have seen all manner of houses. There are several common safety hazards that we have found through the years that you should watch out for.
These various defects range from minor to potentially life-threatening. We'll go over some of the more prominent safety hazards with you in this blog.
No railing on stairs
In accordance with safety standards, every set of stairs is required to have at least one hand railing.
This is because even a small staircase is considered a major tripping hazard. Serious trips can cause broken bones, sprains, cuts or potentially even death if you strike your head.
With a handrail to hold onto, you can save yourself from minor and major injuries or worse, death.
If you are lacking handrails on any set of stairs, seek to rectify this immediately.
Loose railings
One of the more common safety hazards is loose railings.
Loose railings on stairs or balconies are another safety issue that is all too common in houses. They can potentially break or give way if any weight is put on them. This creates a fall risk.
You should have this addressed immediately by a qualified builder.
Uneven pathway
Uneven tiling or brickwork, where some parts stick out into the air and others remain flat, is another major safety issue.
This is because it creates uneven ground that acts as a trip hazard.
Instead, surfaces should be as smooth as possible to prevent trips, slips and falls.
Lift off hinges for toilets
The Building Code of Australia specifies that toilet doors should be easily removable.
This is because toilets are often very small rooms where accidents are prone to happen.
In the event someone falls unconscious they may fall against the door and make it difficult to push open.
Thus, lift off hinges should be used instead. Such a hinge would allow for someone to lift and remove a door easily, even if it is blocked from the other side.
Leaning fence
Having a fence with a lean is a major safety issue.
A fence that leans could fall at any given time and potentially injure you or a family member.
Fences tend to lean as a result of rot or stumps becoming dislodged from the ground.
You can stop a leaning fence from getting worse by bracing it with wooden posts to hold it up.
However, this is only a temporary measure and you should seek to fix or replace your fence as early as possible.
For building and pest inspections you can trust, contact Dedant today.
We conduct thorough inspections and give you an easy-to-read report that goes over all major and minor issues. To enquire, message us on Facebook, or get in touch via our website or call us on 07 3807 0122.
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