HOME INSPECTION
1. Choose a home (apartment, condo) to inspect for safety hazards. It can be your own
home, but ensure there is enough to inspect to make this assignment a worthwhile
learning experience for you. Include the following in your inspection:
Approximate age of the home: 20 years
Style of the home (two-story, one floor condo, etc.): two story
Number of persons living in the home: 4
Ages of the persons living in the home: 3 years, 24 years, 26 years
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Number of working fire extinguishers present in the home: 1
Number of smoke detectors present in the home: 5
Number of working carbon monoxide detectors present in the home: 5
Electrical, gas, or hot water (registers) heating source: 1
Gas or electric stoves and ovens: Electric stove and oven
First aid kit in home: □ Yes " No
!
/10 marks
2. Complete a thorough inspection of each room of the home, including basement,
laundry room, and garage, if applicable, noting the following:
a) physical hazards: shoes in entryways, hanging wires, items stacked poorly,
scattered toys, blind cords hanging too low, etc.
b) thermal hazards: related to hot items such as water temperature, stoves,
curling irons, etc.
c) mechanical hazards: broken items, missing hand rails, etc.
d) bio-hazardous hazards: razors, open garbage, insulin syringes, etc.
Record your findings on the chart included with this assignment.
Note: There is a column to also record what safety hazards have been addressed already.
For example: consider in the bathroom(s): are there anti-slip mats; is there open garbage;
where are hair dryers or hot irons stored; where are meds stored; where are razors stored;
where is the safe storage area for cleaning supplies.
Note which age groups would be particularly impacted by the hazards you uncover in the
home and why they are at risk. For instance, any objects lying on the floor or open outlets
would be hazardous for approximately ages 6 months to 3 years because they are learning
about the world around them.
To the chart, add your suggestions on what improvements should be made for each hazard in
each room that you identify. There will be one mark for each completed hazard per
associated section.
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/40 marks
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Room/area Hazard(s) Target age Safety Suggested changes to
affected measures already in improve safety
place
Example:
Cracked glass All because… Already called
Living room in patio door landlord to replace
glass
Too many cords All because… Purchased large
plugged into power bar
outlet
Area rug not Toddlers, adults Need to purchase anti-
tacked down and seniors slip mat or remove
on hard wood because… area rug
floor
Blind cord Crawling infants Tied blind cord high
hanging and toddlers off the floor
almost to the because…
ground
Cigarettes and 2 – 10 because… Establish a new place
lighter on high up and
coffee table preferably locked to
store when not in use
Room/area Hazard(s) Target age Safety measures Suggested changes
affected and already in place to improve safety
why
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Open garbage All ages, Trash can present Use a covered trash
Bathroom especially can; keep out of
#1 toddlers; risk of reach of children
injury or
infection
No anti-slip mats Seniors and None noted Install anti-slip mats
children; risk of
slipping on wet
floor
Hot water Children; risk of None noted Lower the water
temperature too burns heater temperature
high
Razors left out Children; risk of None noted Store razors in a
cuts locked cabinet
Hot curling iron All ages; risk of None noted Store in a safe area
Bathroom burns after use
#2
Poor lighting All ages; risk of Night light present Add brighter
falls lighting
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Knives on Children; risk of Knife block Store knives in a
Kitchen countertop cuts present locked drawer
Electrical cords All ages; risk of None noted Relocate cords away
near sink electric shock from the sink
Hot stove/oven Children and None noted Use stove guards;
seniors; risk of educate on safe
burns cooking practices
Room/area Hazard(s) Target age Safety measures Suggested changes to
affected already in place improve safety
Bedroom Clothes on the All ages; risk of None noted Encourage keeping
#1 floor tripping the floor clear
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Poor lighting All ages; risk of Bedside lamp Install brighter bulbs
falls present or additional lighting
Bedroom Unsecured Children; risk of None noted Secure tall furniture
#2 furniture tipping to the wall
Blind cords Infants and None noted Use cord cleats to
hanging toddlers; risk of keep cords out of
strangulation reach
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