Being interviewed by a prospective client I'm often asked whether or not I will be able to tell them if they home they are buying is safe to live in. The most important purpose of a Metro Detroit Home Inspection is in fact to determine whether or not various components are properly installed and safe. Of course properly installed and safe do not always go hand in hand. Outside of building your home inside a protective bubble there are general safety tips every homeowner should follow. Information on home safety tips can typically be found on your insurance provider website.
An example of a properly installed component that is not necessarily safe is a double keyed lock. The intent is to provide the occupants with added security of having to unlock the door from both sides. A person wanting to get in, or out, would need the key. This of course isn't a problem until someone needs to get out in a hurry.
In a fire emergency this could be a problem even for a healthy adult. For a child it would be next to impossible to open this door. The best course of action here is to remove the double keyed lock and to replace it with a deadbolt lock that can be opened from the interior. The above photo was taken during an Ypsilanti Michigan Home Inspection where four entry/exit doors had double keyed locks installed.
Have a safe and happy holiday!
Comments(13)