33 home repairs you need to make before someone gets hurt

With fires injuring or killing more than 20,000 people each year, it’s important to test your smoke alarms to maintain proper safety and change the battery annually.

Find out how to install a smoke alarm.

Radon is everywhere, even in the open sea. However, when it concentrates, radon becomes a problem. It most commonly accumulates in well-insulated office buildings and homes. The World Health Organization (WHO) found 40 case-control studies that have contributed to understanding the link between radon exposure indoors and lung cancer. “Since the pressure in the interior of your home is lower than that of the soil surrounding your home, radon is able to seep into your home through the foundation,” explains S.W.A.T Environmental. The foundation does not have to be cracked to allow radon to enter, although a crack in the basement wall or home foundation can certainly make the problem worse.”

A loose brick can ultimately lead to major problems – even a wall collapse – but the fix is simple.

Find out what it takes to fix a loose brick.

Decks and outdoor stairs can develop wobbly railings, often due to a wobbly bottom post. Don’t delay fixing wobbly outdoor railings because failure to do so could lead to serious falls and injuries, especially from deck stairs.

You might be familiar with the concrete chunk that fell out of a step or the deep crack along the sidewalk but somebody else, like a delivery person, won’t know about it.

A well-built deck will last for decades. But a deck that’s rotting or missing fasteners, or that moves when you walk on it, may be dangerous. Decks built by inexperienced do-it-yourselfers, not inspected when they were built, or more than 15 years old (building codes were different back then!) are susceptible to serious problems. Every year, people are severely injured, even killed, when decks like these fall down. This has usually happened during parties when the deck was filled with guests.

Check out these 3 DIY deck fixes.

For people with limited mobility or who prefer to shower while seated, a handheld showerhead is a terrific help. And even better is a handheld showerhead on a sliding rail that allows for individual adjustment. But because those rails are often flimsy, grabbing one could be a disaster. Look for a top quality grab bar with a sliding handheld showerhead.

Heavy rain and strong winds can wreak havoc on tree branches. So be sure to remove dead or damaged trees and limbs to protect your home.

From an aesthetics standpoint, a non-slip bath mat isn’t great but that’s a tradeoff with safety. Nearly a quarter of a million people suffer injuries annually, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control.

How many times have told the kids to pick up their toys, and how many Legos have you stepped on?