When you’re in the process of looking for a new house, there are more things you should consider than the price and the aspect of the building. Safety is perhaps the most important of them. It is one of the things that most families look for when they are trying to find them forever home.
A cheap and attractive house can be tempting, but this will not matter later on if your family’s life is in danger there. Some houses are simply not safe – they may be too old and deteriorated, or they may be located in areas with high crime rates.
How can you choose a safe house for your family in this case? Below you will find a few tips that will help you select a home that won’t endanger you and your family.
1. Check the Condition of the House
When you visit a house you’re interested in, you should pay close attention to the way it looks – and this doesn’t mean just checking the fresh coat of paint on the doors and walls. You should also check out the foundation.
Are there cracks in it? This is a sign that the house isn’t stable. Cracks can generally be seen both outside and inside the house, with some of the most common areas where they can be visible, including sidewalks, floorboards, the siding of the home, and the bricks.
Of course, these are issues that may be solved, at least if the cracks are not numerous or bad. Still, you don’t want to put yourself at risk in the slightest or have to spend money to fix these problems.
2. Make Sure There Are No Strange Smells
If you notice any unusual smells while you are visiting the house, it may be a sign that there is a pest infestation or a gas leak, but it could also point to a different problem.
For instance, a burning or fishy smell could be the result of defective electrical wiring, as well as burns. Meanwhile, an odor resembling that of urine, or a rotting smell could point to a pest infestation or a dead animal.
But a rotten egg smell is usually associated with gas leaks, so if you notice this or any of the other smells, it’s best to refrain from buying the house.
3. See Where the House Is Located
The location of the house is also extremely important. You should find a place where you and your kids can easily get to work and school – but you also need to find an area that is safe.
Some areas or neighborhoods have high rates of crimes, such as burglaries, hate crimes, scams, sexual harassment, and even murder. Although it doesn’t mean you would instantly become a target, you never know what could happen, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If you don’t want you and your family to worry about your safety constantly, make sure the house is located in a secure area. Check the crime rates and see how often crimes take place, but also what types of offenses are involved.
4. Consider the Safety of the Children
If you have children, their safety is the most important thing in the world for you. So, you must get a property that poses no danger and risk for them.
Not only do you need to make sure the home is in a safe location, but you should also ensure that you are not next to a busy road – especially if you are going to let your kids play in front of the house. Sometimes, children may be too invested in their games to pay attention to cars, and they may end up running on the road, putting their lives in danger.
Also, make sure the neighborhood is a friendly one with good people, so you won’t have to worry about the kids being around the wrong individuals.
5. If There’s a Deck, Ensure It’s Even
An uneven deck is not something you want for your future house. It can end up breaking, which can put your life at risk. Look at the deck and see whether it’s unstable or not. Also, check for signs like unsteady railings, unstable boards, and cracked or rotten wood. These aspects would signal that a deck can fail at any time and cause serious injury.
Final Thoughts
Georgia had over 330,000 car crashes back in 2020, with 1588 of them being fatal. Not only that, but many other people died under other circumstances, and all due to someone else’s negligence – such as the negligence of homeowners who didn’t fix dangerous areas of their houses.
If you don’t want your family to have to hire an Atlanta wrongful death attorney, make sure to find a safe and stable house, one that the previous homeowner took care of by fixing problem areas and eliminating risks.
