What was a major disadvantage for weavers working from home?

• A. Lack of financial stability
• B. Inadequate machinery
• C. Fire or flood risk destroying homes and equipment
• D. Limited work hours

Answer: (C)

Weavers working from home during the Industrial Revolution faced significant risks related to their domestic environments, particularly concerning disasters such as fire or flood. This risk was a major disadvantage because many weavers operated in their homes where the equipment and materials were stored. A fire in the home could not only destroy the weaver's loom and raw materials but also impact their living space and safety. Similarly, floods could damage homes and the equipment within them, leading to substantial economic losses and disruptions in their ability to work. This precarious situation added to the instability of their livelihoods, compounding the challenges they already faced in a rapidly industrializing economy.