Stairways, due to their inherent dangers, as well as unsafe patterns of use by homeowners, are the sites of a surprising number of injuries. A careful assessment of the risks posed by stairways can prevent unnecessary injuries. Facts and Figures 1,638 people died from falls on steps and stairs
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06/26/2010
The Number One hazard for children under the age of 19 is falls, which are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries in the U.S. for this age group. About 8,000 youngsters wind up in emergency rooms every day for injuries related to falling, adding up to almost 2.8 million per year. With those st
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06/24/2010
Bed bugs are small, wingless, rust-colored parasites that feed on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. Inspectors should learn the telltale signs of these pests and be capable of providing information to their clients. Bed bugs were diminished to an historical footnote after thei
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06/20/2010
"A TV can be a child's best friend, but it also can be a parent's worst enemy," says the mother of a 3-year-old who was crushed by a television, according to a 2009 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) study. The watchdog organization recently published an 18-year study on the dangers of fu
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06/20/2010
In a growing trend that many say will save even more lives than smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, fire sprinklers are now available for residences. Residential fires destroy an alarming number of lives and property. In 2007 in the U.S., there were 414,000 residential fires that caused
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06/20/2010
Pressure-assist toilets are water-efficient alternatives to standard, gravity toilets. As they become more common, especially in newer and updated homes, inspectors should know how they work. The first pressure-assist toilet was developed in 1984 in response to concerns over water shortages, a
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06/19/2010
Termite baits, also known as bait stations, are capsules that contain paper, cardboard or other acceptable termite food laced with a slow-acting poison that is lethal to termites. Baits are sometimes called "termite traps," although they do not actually trap termites. Baiting is an alternative
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06/19/2010
With barbeque season already here, homeowners should heed the following safety precautions in order to keep their families and property safe. Propane grills present an enormous fire hazard, as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is aware of more than 500 fires that result annually from
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06/19/2010