Every once in awhile there is a problem within a problem. The main problem is obvious, but the secondary problem might be even more dangerous. In the home below, obviously the wiring was in need of an upgrade. It was a 100 year old home with knob and tube wiring in place and fuses. That was the main problem.
The issue below was even a more immediate safety concern. This panel for 240 volt water heater power was located in the bathroom, right beside the toilet. It was about 3' off the floor. A kid could not only easily, but perhaps we could say "likely" reach out and open the cover. And, on this panel, when the cover was opened all of the wires were exposed. With a modern circuit breaker panel, if everything is in place, you can peak inside to look at or flip breakers but nothing is exposed.
This was an accident waiting to happen.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
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WOW .... talk about an immediate laxative if a child were to do that.
Sean Allen
Sean,
You might be on to a medical breakthrough.
How scary is that. I can see a child just sitting there, and being curious as they are... I certainly hope that was priority number one to fix.
If you are going to be shocked while sitting on the toilet it better be something in the newspaper:)
Charlie,
Bet you are surpised that I posted your bathroom photo, after Nutsy promissed that we would not use it as an example. That squrrel speaks with a forked tongue.
Isn't that the bathroom Nutsy got that "flushed" appearance?
Hey Steve, I just found Nutsy on some one's blog. http://activerain.com/blogs/davidsaks
You'd better go pick him up. The blog won't allow comments so I couldn't tell Mr Saks who the nutty squirrel belonged to. Hurry! There are lots of BIG animals on his blogs!!
Heavens!! I just read the blog. That's a dangerous situation!!
Barbara, seems Nutsy was "Dining Out" while away from Steve:)
It took me a while to respond to Barbara's comment, as I had to contact Nutsy. He is, this weekend, making some extra money in L.A. working as a model. He said that the photo, while it has a resemblance to him, is actually his third cousin Pistachio, who lives in Memphis. He thought it rather amusing that Barbara would think it was him. He said that there are really very different characteristics. He is kind of offended that people think all squirrels look the same. He should be back middle of the week with a roll of cash for his modeling work.
Steve, now you have to admit they all look the same on the grille:)
Charlie,
You would not understand it but it is odd having your accomplishments eclipsed by your assistant. That Nutsy, he is almost like a rock star.
Steve, Talk about Johnnie being on the spot! It is really amazing the things that you see in older houses. I wonder how people managed to survive...
Steve, just a slight warning. That squirrel might fib to you. I think he was taking a walk on the wild side (garbage can and all) and had to make up something when he was spotted. It was a well made up fabrication so we'll still say he's a smartsquirrel. My bet is his money will be limited when he gets back......
Barbara,
I only hope you are wrong on that one. He seems so honest.
Well, if he is truthful and makes it in the modeling profession, he'll be gone for good. You'll have to trap another assistant. I have several unemployed ones (except for burying acorns) in my backyard.
Steven,
Talk about scary! I hope there were no children living or visiting this house.
Steven,
You bring up a good point about those old circuit panels, no inside covers. I have found, as I am sure you have, the homes main electric panel in the bathroom on more than one occasion. I guess the water and electricity do not mix concept eludes some individuals.
Here in the East I have been noticing Nutsys cousins are on a rampage lately. All regard for safety has been shucked in the quest for nut gathering for the impending winter. I am sad to report a large increase in the amount of PSDs.
For those of you who are not familiar with what a PSD is, it stands for Poor Squirrel Decision. PSDs may be best described using an alternate term you may all be more familar with, Road Kill.
When one of ol' Nutsys cousins venture into the two lane black top they invariablly panic when a large four wheeled vehicle begins to close the gap between them. They begin to run back the way they came, then stop go back into the road, agiain switch directions and by this time its too late. They end up a PSD gathering nuts in the big acorn tree in the sky.
Such a shame how nuts can make them focus on one thing only.
James,
Fortunately with Nutsy's logical thinking, the result of his home inspector assistant training, he does not think about saving his nuts as much as some others might. He, on a daily basis, reads the PSD obits in the online squrrel newspaper "Gatherers World." He has, so far, only lost a second cousin this season.