How To Look At A House

McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of  

site-built, mobile/manufactured and modular homes

SAFETY

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about “SAFETY":

Does all tempered glass have a label?

What is the best place to install carbon monoxide alarms (CO detectors) in a house? 

Is the door between an attached garage and the house required to have a closer (self-closing device)?

When was a solid wood door first required between the garage and house? 

Can the smoke sensors in a home security/fire alarm system replace the smoke alarms required by the building code?

Should I get a lightning rod system to protect my house? 

What are the "Aging In Place" features to look for when buying a retirement home?

What is aging in place? 

How do I safely remove a dead rodent (rat, mouse or squirrel) from the attic? 

Does pushing the test button on a smoke alarm test the smoke sensor device inside? 

What is the minimum height of a ceiling fan above the floor?

Should a smoke alarm be installed in the kitchen? 

Why is a double cylinder deadbolt lock on an exterior door a safety hazard?

Why are rubber washing machine hoses a safety risk?

What can I do to avoid kitchen accidents and injuries?

Where are smoke alarms required to be located? 

Are carbon monoxide alarms required to be installed in homes in Florida?

Are old vinyl tile floors dangerous?  

How can I use safety checks to limit my tenant liability for a rental house?

Do you inspect for trip hazards around the home? 

When should I replace my smoke alarms? 

• Wishing everyone a happy and safe Holiday Season!

• Why is an anti-tip device now required behind the range? 

What are the hazards to avoid when going into an attic? 

What does it mean when I find buried yellow "CAUTION" tape when digging a hole in the yard?

What are the warning signs of a dangerous deck?

• What is the difference between a handrail and a guardrail? 

Why are window security bars dangerous?

How can formaldehyde gas in a house be a problem?  

Does the Nest Protect system meet current building code standards for a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm system? 

What does the new Florida smoke alarm law require? 

 Is there a Florida law that all older homes must have smoke alarms, regardless of when they were built? 

Which trees are most likely to fall over on your house in a hurricane? 

Why do home inspectors get so picky about calling out minor electrical safety defects? 

• Why are carbon monoxide (CO) alarms required by law for homes in Florida? 

• When were smoke alarms first required to be interconnected?

How can I tell the difference between a smoke detector and carbon monoxide (CO) detector? 

When were smoke detectors/alarms first required in Florida?

What is the minimum height for placement of a CO alarm (carbon monoxide detector)? 

Where does the code require CO alarms (carbon monoxide detectors)? 

• How often does lightning strike a house in Florida? 

What floor level change is a trip hazard? 

• Is it illegal to disconnect a smoke alarm? 

• Where should smoke alarms NOT be installed?

• Does a home inspector check the security alarm system? 

• What are the pool safety barrier requirements for Florida? 

How many children drown each year in a pool or spa? 

Do bathroom mirrors have to be safety tempered glass? 

What is that strange retro-looking smoke alarm? 

• Are smoke alarms required to sell a house?

• What are the signs of an abandoned buried fuel oil tank? 

• Does code require a ceiling fan to be grounded?


Water Heaters

Water Heater Age

"What Are The

Signs Of..."

Septic Tank Systems

Structure and Rooms

Plumbing Pipes

Termites, Wood Rot

& Pests

Sinkholes

Stairs

When It First

Became Code

"Should I Buy A..."

Park Model Homes

Site

Shingle Roofs

Safety

Stucco

Remodeling

Wind Mitigation

Roof and Attic

"Does A Home

Inspector...?"

Pool and Spa

"What Is The Difference Between..."

Radon

Brick

Plumbing

Concrete and

Concrete Block

Metal Roofs

Foundations

Modular Homes

Rain Gutters

Mold, Lead & Other Contaminants

Condominiums

Older and

Historic Houses

Crawl Spaces

Mobile-Manufactured Homes

Building Permits

Life Expectancy

Clay Soil

Insurance

Floors

Insulation

Toilets

Exterior Walls

& Structures

Generators

Common Problems

HUD-Code for

Mobile Homes

Garages and Carports

Flat (Low Slope) Roofs

Electrical Panels

Sprinkler Systems

Electrical Receptacle Outlets

4-Point Inspections

Hurricane Resistance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Home Inspection

Heating and Air Conditioning

Building Codes

Fireplaces and Chimneys

Inspector Licensing

& Standards

Energy Efficiency

Washers and Dryers

Electrical

Kitchens

Doors and Windows

(placeholder)

Cracks

Electrical Wiring

Click Below  

for Links

to Collections

of Blog Posts

by Subject

Plumbing Drains

and Traps

Appliances

Smoke & CO Alarms

Aging in Place

Top 5 results given instantly.

Click on magnifying glass

for all search results.

Bathrooms

Lighting

AFCI, CAFCI,

DFCI, & GFCI

Sinks

Air Conditioner & Furnace Age/Size

Attics

Electrical Switches

Siding

Search

This

Site

Water Intrusion

Electrical - Old

and Obsolete

(placeholder)

Foundation Certifications

Tiny Houses

About McGarry and Madsen

(placeholder)

Wells

Buying a home in North/Central Florida? Check our price for a  team inspection by two FL-licensed contractors and inspectors. Over 8,500 inspections completed in 20+ years. In a hurry? We will get it done for you.

Moisture Problems

Crawl Spaces

Bedrooms

Closets