As a homeowner, you want to be prepared for any type of scenario so that your family and home are safe. Here is a list of recommended safety essentials for the home. Keep these items on hand and you’ll be ready for emergency situations.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors are Safety Essentials for the Home
Smoke detectors often give the first warning of a house fire. Install smoke detectors throughout your home, including in every bedroom and on every level of the house. Test the devices monthly and replace the batteries at least twice every year.
Carbon monoxide detectors are also important devices for the home. They detect carbon monoxide, an otherwise tasteless, odorless gas. Install a CO detector on every floor and in areas where heat sources are present.
Fire Extinguisher
You can often stop small fires before they get out of control with a fire extinguisher. Place an extinguisher that is ready to use and easily accessible on every floor of your home. Keep an extinguisher in the garage, too. Learn how to use it and instruct family members. Some local fire departments will recharge your fire extinguisher and teach you how to use it.
Create an Escape Plan
Fires are more likely to be deadly at night when everyone is sleeping and less alert. To prepare for a house fire, draw up an escape plan. Decide on a nearby meeting place outside and away from the home.
Teach children to check doorknobs before opening a door and crawl underneath smoke if it fills a room. For upper-level bedrooms, install collapsible escape ladders. You can attach ladders in the window wells for basement rooms.
Safety Essentials for the Home Include a First Aid Kit
A well-stocked first-aid kit is important for every home. Include items that treat minor injuries as well as materials for more severe injuries. The kit will help keep a situation under control until emergency medical help arrives.
Some of the items for the kit Include a first aid manual, a splint, antiseptic solution, adhesive bandages, gauze, medical tape, an elastic bandage, and pain medications.
Disaster Kit
You hope you won’t need it, but it’s important to have one on hand. A disaster kit is one of the most valuable and most overlooked home safety essentials. You can purchase them online or make one yourself.
Basic items include water purifying tablets, at least three days worth of food, flashlights, batteries, a hand-crank radio, solar-powered phone charger, matches, prescription medications, pet supplies, basic tools, a whistle, and any needs for a baby or toddler.
Secure Locks are Important Safety Essentials for the Home
Install new, secure locks when upgrading your home safety essentials. They’ll help keep you safe from break-ins while you’re at home and protect your property when you’re away. A deadbolt is a good option to use along with a standard door lock. For premium home security, invest in a monitored home security system.
Motion-Detecting Lights
Police departments recommend motion-detecting lights as part of your home security plan. They don’t use a lot of energy, and they’re a great way to deter nighttime intruders. Shop for floodlights that fully illuminate outdoor spaces. When they’re installed at front and back entrances, motion lights also keep family members and guests safe who arrive or leave after dark.
Emergency Phone List
No matter how careful we are, accidents can happen in the home. Add a list of emergency contacts to your refrigerator or another easily accessible location. The list will help you find the numbers you need quickly in a stressful situation. Include your doctor, the police, the fire department, poison control, your veterinarian, a neighbor, and a family member.
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