We usually think of our homes as safe zones, but that’s not always true. Many items carry risks that can affect your health or safety, sometimes in ways you wouldn’t expect. Here’s a closer look at the everyday things that might be doing more harm than you’d think.
Mothballs
If you’ve ever opened a box of sweaters and been hit with that weird chemical smell, that’s mothballs doing their thing. They’re supposed to keep insects out, but they also release dangerous fumes as they slowly release vapor into the air. Store them in a sealed container away from your living space and wash anything they touch.
Pesticides
It is quite common to spray and forget. But once that stuff’s in your home, it lingers on surfaces, in the air, and in places kids and pets can get to. Poison control centers get tens of thousands of calls each year about kids being exposed to pesticides. It’s better to keep them locked up, read the labels, and ventilate the place after use.
Pressed Wood Products
Cheap furniture and old paneling use fake wood held together with glue that releases formaldehyde over time. That’s the same stuff used in labs and embalming fluid. It can irritate your eyes and breathing and might raise your cancer risk.
Bleach
You will find bleach everywhere, under the sink and in laundry rooms. But mixing it with the wrong thing, like ammonia or vinegar, can turn it into a gas that burns your lungs. Even without mixing it, overexposure during cleaning may trigger dizziness or discomfort.
Dryer Lint
This is one of the most common reasons for house fires. Lint buildup in the vent blocks airflow, which makes your dryer overheat and ignite. Modern floor plans tuck laundry rooms deeper and farther from outside walls, so the vent has to run farther, creating greater space for lint to collect.
Flame Retardants
For years, companies added flame-retardant chemicals to things like mattresses and electronics to slow fires, which sounds useful until you realize a few of those chemicals stay embedded in your home environment and mess with your health. It’s tough to avoid them entirely, but you can check labels.
Carpeting Chemicals
New carpet has that strong “new scent” for a reason. It’s a bunch of volatile organic compounds being released into the air. People may get headaches or breathing issues just from being around it. Usually, the smell fades in a few days, but those first days matter.
Laser Printers
If you sit near a printer all day at work or have one at home running constantly, there’s a small risk worth knowing. Some printers give off tiny particles each time they’re in use that can end up in your lungs. The concentration drops off pretty fast, but it adds up if you’re using it a lot in a tight space.
Lead Paint
Many people assume lead paint isn’t around anymore, but if your place was built before 1978, it might still be covered in layers of paint. Lead paint causes developmental issues, specifically when it starts peeling or gets disturbed during renovations. Kids are at risk if they touch or chew on anything painted with it.
Air Fresheners and Cleaning Solutions
A couple of the products meant to make your house smell fresh or look spotless are filled with chemicals that aren’t great to breathe in. The compound mix can become more dangerous when they interact with ozone indoors.
Extension Cords
They’re super convenient until they’re not. Extension cords can overheat, spark, or start fires, especially when run under rugs or used long-term. They also trip people a lot. Thousands of injuries and fires happen every year because someone overloaded a cord or didn’t check it for damage.
Furniture Polish
Most of us don’t think twice about furniture polish, but the substances inside can be rough. If it gets in your eyes or lungs, or if a kid swallows any, it can lead to vision damage, lung trouble, and skin irritation. Even touching it too much can lead to skin problems.
Nonstick Cookware
When overheated, nonstick cookware emits fumes that may lead to flu-like symptoms without warning.The gases are invisible, so you probably wouldn’t notice until you feel off. It happens more than expected, particularly with older or scratched pans.
Pressure Washers
The water from pressure washers comes out with so much force that it can tear through skin, leading to nasty infections. Every year, people end up in the ER with serious injuries. Safer attachments and wider spray settings would be beneficial if you want to stay safe.
Cosmetic Phthalates
These ingredients are found in many products you use daily, such as hairspray, shampoo, and lotions. They help fragrances stick around and keep plastics flexible, but studies suggest they mess with hormones and could affect development, mainly in children.