Questions tagged [safety]
For questions generally relating to preventing or avoiding injury in the home or on the job site.
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Door lock detection system [closed]
We have some doors that already have basic open/closed electic loop built in, but these wires are not connected to anything at the moment. I would like to install a unit that detects if each door is ...
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Understanding the risks surrounding empty tanks & containers (propane, natural gas, septic, etc.)
In a quickly upvoted comment to this answer regarding propane tanks, community member crip659 wrote:
I would change "any level" to ever contained. Empty containers can be as bad(deadly) as ...
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Install shower grab bar - 2x2 studs
I need to install some grab bars in the shower. I know where the studs are and I can access the back of two of the three walls to put blocking. The third wall is cinder block, 2x2 studs, drywall and ...
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Is this old house safe?
I bought an old house (built 1960) which had been abandoned for the last 30 years.
There was no concrete used in the construction, the base is made of some kind of white stone until about a meter up, ...
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Was there lead in old wood stain? [duplicate]
Does anyone know anything about interior blue-greenish wood stain? Presumably from 1953, when my house was built. Worried because i have a little one. Would really appreciate any insight. I have been ...
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How to slow closure of a spring-operated chain link fence gate?
Question: Is there a way to slow down the speed a chain link fence gate opens?
Context: Our preschool has a basic chain link fence with a standard entry gate (see photo). We recently installed a ...
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Extension Cord Coming Out of Kitchen Wall Possible NEC Code Violation
In progress remodeling a basement kitchen in a home built 2003.
Current NEC Code for my area is NEC 2017.
When I pulled out the old base cabinet I found an live extension cord coming out of the base ...
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Where to attach extra wires in pull-cord fixture
We have a light fixture box in our stairwell that I’m trying to put a new light on. When our 60+ yo house was wired 25 years ago, the electrician took out the wall switch it was connected to and ...
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Stone fireplace -- how to plaster over / mount TV?
we are moving into a new home an finding ourselves in a bit of a pickle re: living room/fireplace.
Based on the living room’s layout, our tv will need to be mounted above our fireplace. The problem is ...
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Would AFCI protection be required if I added another outlet to an existing branch circuit in a bathroom?
I have some confusion because on the one hand AFCI protection is not specified as needed in bathrooms by the NEC, but on the other hand the NEC does state that AFCI protection needs to be added when ...
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Bathroom smells of paint after a steamy shower, and paint is now peeling. Worried about health. Looking to fix. (Apartment)
Context:
It's been 31 days from this post since I moved into this apartment. I've noticed that if I take a steamy shower, then close the door on the bathroom after I get out, then the bathroom will ...
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Can I clean up after a mouse using 70% alchohol instead of bleach solution? [duplicate]
A mouse got in my cabinet. I got rid of the poop. The CDC website recommends that I clean the affected surfaces with bleach solution or with an EPA-registered disinfectant, and links to a partial list ...
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How should I clean surfaces where a mouse may have walked or touched, but not pooped?
A mouse got into my cabinet. There are a few poops in there; I cleaned those up and cleaned the affected area with bleach solution.
I'm going to improve my food storage situation, catch the mice, and ...
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Why didn't flooded extension cord plug trip breaker?
I had an issue recently where my cat turned on a laundry tub faucet, flooding the basement with municipal water (due to the floor drain being clogged; 1930 house in the Toronto area).
There was a live ...
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How does arcing in an electrical panel cause fires? [closed]
I had a sub-panel with a loose neutral wire that caused substantial arcing between the wire and bus bar. Arcing generates a staggering amount of heat (thousands of degrees in either F or C) and in ...
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How to deal with the mold in kitchen
How do I deal with this in kitchen
Are all these just algae or something else ? Is it really harmful to health ? like we have to make sure it's 100% not there.
Here you can see light grey colour stuff ...
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Replacing old dimmer with a new one
I bought a dimmer on Amazon. The ASIN number is B002DN2PGY. It has two black wires and one green. The old dimmer only has two wires, one black and one red. It is connected to two wires, one orange ...
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Melted electrical outlet
I have an electrical outlet in my home that got hot and melted. My son shut main breaker off and took outlet out of wall and he separated the wires and wrapped electrical tape around the wires. Is ...
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Do I need to install a junction box before installing a LED strip light fixture?
I would like to replace 15 year old Fluorescent 4 foot strip light fixture (electric ballast, T8, two light, 32W), it looked like this. This is in a closet ceiling. I was a bit surprised that when I ...
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Is this two-110-to-one-220 adaptor as fire-hazard as it looks?
I was browsing amazon and found this strange extension cord that takes two 110v circuits and combines them into one 220v circuit. I vaguely understand how two outlets can be on a different circuit/...
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Fridge on same circuit as space heater?
The owner's manual for our fridge specifies that it should be on a dedicated 15A circuit. I understand that this is considered best practice, although not strictly required by the NEC.
However, our ...
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How can the slightly-warped rails of a bed frame be pulled together?
A twin-sized bed frame that I assemble on-demand for guests is made of pine. It hasn't seen that much use, and yet one of the two 75" beams has buckled just slightly. There is still plenty of ...
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is electrical insulated hand glove enough for household electrical work
The circuit breaker panel cover is metal so it might shock if one of the wires inside get damaged and it might come in contact with the panel cover.
The use case is when one of the tripper goes off , ...
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What is the correct name for this "door stopper"?
I would like to mount something on my doors, so they can't slam shut when the wind catches them. When I search for "door stoppers" I never get such.
I have only been able to find on company ...
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Are Marbonite tiles good electrical insulator
I know whenever we handle Circuit breaker or Main Supply lever at home.
We have to wear a footwear which is non-conductive and insulated glove.
My question is , As far as I'm aware a tile which is not ...
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Seal around hvac ac lines [duplicate]
I want to seal outdoor AC lines. I have a gap. Is it safe to use gap filling foams? Is it flameble with the copper tube
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Dealing with recently decarpeted room with generational urine reek
Zinsser BIN primer applied with a paint sprayer, completely covering the floor and probably the baseboards, too. Two coats at appropriate intervals. If it oversprays to the walls, I don’t really care....
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Worried about fumes from caulk
Hey there I just installed caulk due to the baseboards having room under them (the roaches are hiding in there) my question and concern is of the fume smell from this particular one https://www....
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Is it dangerous to put expanding foam in home heater ducts?
My house has a centralized gas heater, that pumps the hot air through metal ducts to vents in each room. I discovered that the past owner had previously had a greenhouse, and so there was a duct that ...
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Is this a safety or fire hazard
My apartment complex recently replaced the disposal in my kitchen that was leaking from the power cord due to a cracked seal. They left the wires of the power cord that attach to the disposal exposed ...
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Are Polybutylene pipes safe & reliable for potable water systems (UK)?
We are having extension work done and noticed the builder has used Polybutylene pipe for all the cold and hot water systems.
I noticed on the label it says "Not for sale in America", and ...
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CAFCI+GFCI protection for 30/40A double pole required?
I have the following double pole breakers in my new PoN Siemens panel:
Heat Pump Water Heater (30A)
Clothes Dryer (30A)
EV charger (40A)
2x Sub Panel feeds (40A)
Heat Pump (40A)
Electrical Stove (40A)...
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In safety guidelines for construction work and/or welding what is "RPE"?
In North America, when you are dealing with safety guidelines, what does the abbreviation "RPE" represent in simple English words?
I was watching a video which explained that RPE is ...
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How to make the septic tank safe for human entry
My septic tank is hard sealed with concrete slab.
My mason and plumber wants to install two Effluent filter inside the septic tank.
So I'll call up the septic tank trucks ,they will suck the septic ...
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Is it risky to have soak pit of septic tank near building
I have series of soak pits connected by pipe and this soak pit takes grey water from Kitchen and bathroom only.
I have to call septic tank lorry frequently to pump out the filled up septic tank. ...
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Covering screws used to mount receptacle boxes
Should screws that are used inside a receptacle box to mount it to a stud be covered by tape or some non conductive material?
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Does this attic insulation look like asbestos or mineral wool? [closed]
My house was built in 1962. I'm trying to replace a ceiling light fixture with a ceiling fan by retrofitting the hole. Unfortunately there seems to be quite a bit of this gray, stringy, slightly shiny ...
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Is a dryer at risk of overheating on a hot day? [closed]
Say around 32 C or 90 F, inside, not in the sun, near an open door. Is there a risk a dryer will overheat? Or does it regulate temperature so it'll just not heat as much use less energy to run (with ...
user173128
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can a used tank water heater be reconditioned for safe usage?
I need to replace an electric hot water tank (it has started to leak). I'd like to replace it with a used one because the property, which has 2 occupied units, is for sale and it is expected to be ...
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is it possible to turn this dumb-waiter into an elevator?
We recently acquired a house that has an elevator-like mechanism. The former owners call the thing a "dumb waiter", suggesting that it's not safe for human use. Although it's roomy ...
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Pros and cons of installing UV sanitizer light in HVAC
I am looking to improve indoor air quality of a home. I have heard UV light can be use to sanitize against certain organisms.
Does it "kill" mold and viruses floating in the circulating air?...
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Where can I find replacements for Oxberg door hinges with a damper? [closed]
I have Ikea Oxberg hinges that my 2yo is slamming heavily. I wonder if there is a replacement that can have a damper? Ikea does not provide such, so maybe anyone knows a replacement?
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How do I fix this light fixture wiring situation?
imagine a light fixture, with no ground wire, this is mounted to aluminum which is painted white, The hot and neutral leaves from the wire are exposed to the open air and connected to exposed Romex in ...
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Limitations of apartment living
I'm disabled and live in a 55+ apartment. I need safety handles in my shower to help me step over an 8" lip to enter the shower.The maintenance manager won't put permanent metal bars for my ...
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How can I identify a HEPA filter?
I'm looking for a HEPA filter for my vacuum. In this case a Dyson V8. There are lots of generic filters in the market place that claim to be HEPA (see here). But I understand that HEPA filters do not ...
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Okay for electrical receptacle and sump pump discharge to be near each other?
We're having an additional sump and pump installed and its discharge has limited options. One of the best discharge options (shortest run to a reasonable place to leave the basement) is already an ...
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What flooring options are there to make a concrete basement safe(r) for falls while retaining wheelchair accessibility?
I have an above ground, sealed, concrete basement that I want to make safer in the event of someone falling, while keeping it easy for someone in a wheelchair to get around. A hopeful side effect will ...
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Burned Outlet and burned and lo frayed wires is this safe to put a new outlet
Me and my dad are fixing a burnt outlet and when we opened it we found out that the wires were frayed and burned is it safe to rewire these to the new outlet.
So apparently the tenant said that he ...
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Has any research been done on stair tread shape?
I'm replacing the treads on a short flight of stairs, and have a CNC router available. Since this is my personal home, and there are only four treads on this stair, I'm considering custom shapes for ...
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What conditions cause issues with bacteria in supply pipes other than copper such as PVC or PEX?
I know that copper is naturally antibacterial, and that seems like an advantage of running copper pipe.
If PEX is becoming more common, how are problems with bacterial growth inside the pipes being ...
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