While we may think of the Victorian architecture as a style, this era also saw a wide range of improvements in such areas as household sanitation and safety. Plumbing, ventilation and drains were all areas of concern in new building projects. Another concern was the development of new materials, or methods of protecting traditional materials, to reduce the risk of fire. This section looks at domestic improvements in such areas as health, sanitation and safety.

Domestic Inventions & Sanitation (Illustrated London Almanack, 1850)

New inventions, including ventilation devices for homes and fireplaces, water sanitation and filtering devices, and a patented chimney-sweeping machine.

Sanitary Reform, by James Walker (Cassell's Family Paper, 1860)

Why improved dwellings are needed by the working classes, and the importance of cleanliness to morals.

"Something Wrong with the Gas!" (Leisure Hour, 1868)

On gas leaks and how gas is often wasted, even before it reaches the consumer.

The Sanitary Drainage of Houses and Towns, by George W. Waring Jr. (Atlantic Monthly, 1875)

How to Build Cities of Health (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1877)

On the need to improve light, ventilation, drainage, and water quality in Britain's cities.

Electric Light (Demorest, 1879)

From Candles to Gas, by J. Munro (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1880)

Though not technically about electricity, this leads to the article below...

From Gas to Electricity (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1880)

The Art of Purifying Houses, by A.A. Strange Butson (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1880)

On the Sanitary Arrangements of the House (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1881)

Home Construction: Foundations, by George Martin Huss (Century Magazine, 1882A)

Home Construction: Precautions Against Fire, by George Martin Huss (Century Magazine, 1882B)

Home Construction: Sanitation, by Charles F. Wingate (Century Magazine, 1882B)

Sanitary Assurance (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1882)

Issues of household sanitation and health.

Household Electricity (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1883)

The Principles and Practice of House-Drainage, by George E. Waring Jr. (Century Magazine, 1885A)

Fire Prevention, by Charles Barnard (Century Magazine, 1886A)

How fire-fighting and volunteer fire-fighting associations work; new inventions for fire prevention, including the fire-extinguisher, the automatic sprinkler, hand-pumps, and the chemical grenade.

Sanitary Legislation in American Cities (Century Magazine, 1888A)

Slow-Burning Construction, by Edward Atkinson (Century Magazine, 1889A)

Ideas on reducing fire risks in new construction (and consequently to reduce the high costs of fire insurance).

Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Methods of Sewage Disposal, by George E. Waring, Jr. (Century Magazine, 1894A)

"The Public Safety is the Supreme Law" (Century Magazine, 1895B)

The enforcement of sanitary laws in cities.

Ventilation and Airing (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

Ventilating Parliament, by Frank Foulsham and A.C. Banfield (Strand, 1901A)

A Friendly Microbe, by J.E. Muddock (Sunday Strand, 1902)

On the use of microbes to develop septic tanks and sewage treatment systems.