Home Analysis

I live in a three bedroom single family colonial home in urban Detroit. I reside there with my husband and 11-year-old son. My home has three floors; the main floor that is composed of the living room, family room, and kitchen, upstairs floor is composed of bedrooms and the bathroom, and the basement that has a laundry room and sitting area. The outdoors portion of my home has been for the most part well maintained. However there is a 9 ½ inch long and 3 inch wide crack in the side walk leading up to the front porch. The top step of the porch has a 5 inch long 1 ½ inch chipped section. The front porch has adequate lighting but there is no lighting in the yard. Front porch also has 2 medium sized flowerpots on both sides of the door leading into the house. The grass and shrubbery in the front and back yard are kept short and free from debris. There is a 6-foot wooden privacy fence around the back yard in very good condition without paint. The garage is a single car garage that is never used. The distance from the garage and the house is approximately 40 feet. Unfortunately the garage is used to store heavy plumbing equipment, PVC and copper pipes, pick ax, drop lights with electrical cords attached, lawn mower, rakes, shovels, push brooms, gas can, snow blower, bicycles, and drain cleaners. These items are not always kept neat and orderly which poses a threat for injury in children, sensory impaired persons, or persons with immobility problems. There is an 8X4 feet newly laid cement pad attached to the garage, which is used for my son to play basketball. However, the earth surrounding the pad is uneven. This is a potential risk for falls. The pad contains a very sturdy po...

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...ty into the house. Persons with mobility problems would find climbing the stairs safe but tiresome. Countertops and tables are assessable wheelchair bound persons. One piece of advice I would give myself would be to purchase and install carbon monoxide detectors. Instruct all everyone on how to recognize signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Post emergency telephone numbers for, police, fire, poison control, physician, and family in an area visible to everyone. Make arrangements to make all outdoor necessary repairs that increase the risk for injuries or falls. I would remove or tack down all rugs I have on the floor. When young children visit make sure to remove all glass items and secure cabinets and drawers. If someone in my home were to become impaired purchasing a new home would be likely.