What should a home inspector do when encountering safety hazards?

When a home inspector encounters safety hazards during an inspection, their primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of all parties involved. The correct approach is to report the hazards to the appropriate authorities and inform the client. This procedure is crucial for several reasons.

First, safety hazards can pose immediate risks not only to the occupants of the home but also to the inspector themselves and other parties on the property. By reporting these hazards to the relevant authority, the inspector contributes to a larger effort to rectify potentially dangerous situations in the home, ensuring that the issues can be properly addressed by qualified professionals.

Informing the client is also essential, as they need to be aware of any conditions that might affect their safety or the condition of the property they are considering purchasing. This transparency helps the homeowner or prospective buyer make informed decisions based on real and immediate risks that need to be managed.

Choosing to only document the hazards and continue with the inspection does not prioritize safety and might leave the client unaware of critical issues. Therefore, taking proactive steps by reporting and informing creates a safer environment and demonstrates professionalism and responsibility in the inspector's role.