Smells in your house you should never ignore – as it could be sign of danger – The Mirror
If you sniff out any of these smells in your, you should absolutely never ignore it, as they can be a sign of imminent danger and should be dealt with as soon as possible
While there are certain common smells that can appear in your home that aren't always welcome, most of them are likely to be harmless, like strong cooking smells that hang around for a long time after the meal is finished or something that needs cleaning in your bins or fridge. But there are other scents that you should never ignore as they could be a sign of imminent danger, or something going seriously wrong in your home that could be costly to fix, experts have warned.
According to a report in the Huffington Post there are certain smells you should be aware of – including rotten eggs or a musty or smoky smell.
Firstly, the smell of smell rotten eggs could be a sign that you have a gas leak. Whilst gas is naturally odourless, companies insert this scent into it to ensure that people have some kind of warning about a potential leak. You should act quickly if you smell this, calling your gas supplier or the National Gas Helpline immediately, and, if possible, turning the gas off in your home.
Ignoring a gas leak could lead to an explosion because it is highly flammable, and being exposed to gas can lead to serious consequences for your health – with symptoms including confusion, nausea, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath, per the NHS.
If you smell smoke in your home, then swift action is also required, especially if you have not just been making food. The experts recommend that you try and find where it is coming from straight away, if you can't find it, then there may be "a fire hazard hidden within walls or in the attic, or nearby the exterior of the home", they explain.
If you discover a fire, or a very strong smell of smoke which indicates one has definitely started, in your home, then you should immediately alert everyone in the property and go outside, the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service advises. Check doors before you open them to see if they are hot to ensure that you aren't going toward the fire and as you leave do not stop for valuables or pets, because the smoke can be deadly – staying low can help protect you from it. Once you are outside, stay there – never going back indoors for any reason – and call the fire brigade.
The experts also recommend that if you notice any burning smell from your tumble dryer or any other appliance, you address this immediately. A common cause of fire from tumble dryers is that people fail to clean out lint filters and any vents, so ensure this task is done regularly in your home.
With burning smells emanating from your electrical appliances, the experts advise "If you smell burning plastic or any electrical odor without an identifiable source, disconnect power and contact an electrician [and] take time to familiarize yourself with the location of the electrical circuit breakers in the home. Each breaker should be individually labeled to designate the area where electricity is being channeled."
A musty smell could mean that you have mould or mildew growing in your home, which can be hazardous to your health – particularly for people who already have respiratory issues.
In your bathroom, there will likely be an unpleasant smell or two present on occasion, but the experts note that if there is a strong sewage smell in there then gas could be filling up in your waste traps – especially if it is a bathroom that gets used less often. They explain that making sure to run water through your pipes regularly can help rid the built-up gas from your waste traps.
Equally, if there is a sulfur, rotten-egg smell coming through when you turn your hot water taps or shower on, then there could be an issue with your water heater, and it is best to get a professional in to examine it thoroughly.
Do you have a story to tell? Email: emma.mackenzie@reachplc.com
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