4 Safety Issues For Tiny Houses (With Solutions)

No matter what type of home you are living in, you want it to be safe.  One concern many people have regarding tiny houses is if they are safe to live.  Yes, tiny houses are safe!  But, like anything new and unique, there is a learning curve.

However, have no fear!
There have been plenty of people before you who have had safety concerns with their tiny house.  Best of all, they have already found creative solutions for these common problems.

Learning from those who came before us is a great way to evolve.  Here are some of the top safety issues for tiny houses as well as the solutions to keep you safe!

1) Fire Safety is an issue

Fires are a concern in any house, not just tiny houses.  However, which such limited space, fires in a tiny house can quickly turn disastrous.  Tiny house kitchens feature close together applianced with little counter space.  When cooking a meal, it is likely that you will have more than one thing going at the same time.

Since space is so tight, this is a breeding ground for common cooking mistakes that can lead to small-scale fires.

But, this doesn’t mean that there are no precautions that you can take to help keep you safe.  The best way to prevent a fire is to plan for a fire.  Here are some ways that you can make sure your tiny house is ready to take the heat:

• Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers may seem like common sense.  But, you may be surprised to know that not everyone has them in their home.  This is because it is not required by law in each state that every home has a fire extinguisher.  But, even if it is not required by law, it is vital that tiny houses have at least one on hand.

You should always keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen.  But, there are other areas of your home you will want to keep safe as well.  If your tiny house has a refillable gas tank, it is a good measure to keep an extinguisher near your tank as well.  The other important thing to note about fire extinguishers is that they do expire.  Make sure to frequently check the tags and replace out-of-date extinguishers.

• Smoke Detector

While some states don’t require fire extinguishers by law, most require that your home has at least one smoke detector.  Smoke detectors are your first alert that there is smoke present in the home.  However, you will be surprised to know about how many people disconnect theirs.

Smoke detectors have come a long way from the obnoxious beeping discs that are constantly running through batteries.  These days you can find some pretty neat smoke detectors that work right with your phone.  This way you don’t even have to be at home in order to get an alert.

A good rule of thumb with smoke detectors is that you should have one of each level.  Depending on the size of your tiny house, will depend on how many detectors you need.  While your house may be two levels, the range of the smoke detector may keep you protected with just one unit.

• Extra Measures

Fire prevention doesn’t just stop with the basics.  Living in a tiny house is unique in the way that it also needs to be uniquely protected.  It always a good idea to consider extra measures when it comes to fire safety.  This is especially true when it comes to the kitchen.

One good thing to keep on hand every time you cook is a box of baking soda.  Even with a fire extinguisher, baking soda is a great tool when it comes to fires.  The most common type of fire in a kitchen is grease fires.  Everyone knows that grease fires should not be doused with water.  But, did you know that you can use baking soda as a quick fix?

While baking soda cannot replace the safety of a fire extinguisher, you can never be too prepared.  Baking soda can quickly help to smother small grease fires.  Plus those little boxes of baking soda are easy to have on hand in small spaces like tiny houses.

 

2) Air Quality Control

Nothing is more important than the air you breathe.  But, how can you tell when the air is compromised?  Dangers that can’t be seen with the naked eye are some of the deadliest.

So, how can you control the quality of your air without being able to see it?  Here is everything you need to know to keep your family, and lungs safe!

• Carbon Monoxide Detector

Carbon monoxide poisoning is also known as the silent killer.  This is because elevated carbon monoxide has no smell and is impossible to detect on its own.  Also, this type of poisoning makes the person feel sleepy so by the time you notice the symptoms, it may be too late.

This is why so many states now require by law that home’s have a working carbon monoxide detector at all times.  Just like smoke detectors, new CM detectors use smart technology to deliver alerts.  This also means that you can feel safe with your kids at home knowing that you will be alerted directly on your phone.

• Air Purifiers

Tiny houses are confined to small spaces.  This isn’t a problem as long as you still allow air flow in the home.  However, keeping windows and doors open is not always an option during the colder months.  This is where a strong air purifier comes in handy.

These purifiers are compact so you don’t have to worry about them taking up too much space.  All you need to do is change the filter out once it has passed its date.  This way you can be sure that the air quality of your home is safe and clean each and every day.

• Dehumidifiers

It’s really important to use a dehumidifier if you are living in a very small space. You can read all our recommendations for dehumidifiers for small spaces here.

3) Mold Growth

One thing that all homes need to worry about is mold.

Mold grows in small dark spaces that are prone to moisture.

Tiny houses are already prone to mold because of the tight amount of space.  Mold has been linked to several health problems like breathing issues and even certain cancers.  But, don’t worry!  There are plenty of ways to prevent the growth of mold in your tiny houses.

• Use Dehumidifiers

Just like we mentioned above, it’s important to dehumidify the space, in order to stop the mold.

• Mold Checks

The best way to prevent the growth of mold is to keep an eagle on the dark corners and spaces in your home that could be a problem.  Just remember that not all types of mold can be seen by the naked eye.  However, if you start to see black dots forming in the back of a closet, it is time to call in the professionals.

• Certified Mold Remover

Getting professional help with mold is always a good idea.  This is because dealing with mold requires safety precautions like masks and suits.  Certified mod professionals will be much more prepared to tackle the problem.  The first step would be to have them do a “sweep” of the home to detect the mold and then they will take it from there.

• Spray Regularly

There are several mold sealant products available on the market.  These help to try out moisture while sealing wood and crawl spaces to prevent the growth of mold.  However, this is a preventive measure that needs to be done frequently.

 

4) Tiny House Structure

A common safety concern among people looking to make the move to a tiny house is how structurally safe are they?  One thing to remember is that even though the size may be small, that doesn’t mean these houses are not mightly.  Just like any other home that was built, tiny houses also have to follow certain precautions to ensure their home is sound.

Tiny houses that are fitted upon trails have to be strong enough to survive.  This is because the constant movement can take a toll on any structure.  However, tiny houses were built to bend and move in the wind so that they don’t topple.

If you are worried about your tiny houses not being structurally sound, you can always get a professional option.  Home builders that specialize in tiny houses will be able to tell exactly how safe your home is.  The first thing they will check is the bones of the home.

Concerned about how tiny houses stand up to big storms?  This article has all the information you need about how even the smallest of homes can weather the storm. 

 

Final Thoughts

Safety is a real concern for any home.  No one wants to live in a house where they need to constantly worry about being safe.  This is why it is so important to take the time to make sure that all precautions are in place.  From having the right detectors to using professional safety services, you have options.

The best way to ensure your home is safe is to put the work in.  So, you can sleep well knowing that there are simple solutions to help prevent disasters.  Take care.