Homes should be safe places for all the family. But sometimes they aren’t.
Home safety statistics are actually quite scary. Each year, tens of thousands of people die in home-related accidents. Burglars invade the average home once every 23 seconds. And around 2,600 people die in home fires every year.
Fortunately, a lot of these incidents are preventable, so long as you take on the right strategies. In this post, we look at some of the ways you can make your home safer and more secure. As you will discover, there are many things that you can do.
Keep Your Pool Covered
Pools are one of the most dangerous features in family homes. Kids can often stumble into pools and then drown. So if you have one, be sure to cover it with something rigid while not in use. Also, if you have young children, surround it with a fence so that they can’t accidentally fall in.
Be Lawnmower Safe
Lawnmowers are extremely dangerous pieces of equipment. They house a blade that spins at high speeds, designed to cut grass. Unfortunately, it can throw up rocks and sticks which can harm both you and your children.
If you have a lawnmower, be sure to choose one with plenty of safety features. Don’t allow young children to mow the lawn as this can put them in danger.
Grill Safely
Be sure to place your grill at least 10 feet away from anything flammable, such as your landscaping.
Install A Sprinkler System
Commercial enterprises almost always install sprinklers in their premises to combat fires. Strangely though, homeowners don’t use them.
That’s a shame. It turns out that sprinklers can put out more than 95 percent of home fires (or bring them under control so that the fire department has an easy job).
Usually, when sprinklers don’t turn on, it is because the homeowner has left them switched off. So if you decide to install a sprinkler system, make sure that you have it on standby the whole time.
Install A CO Detector
CO detectors are wonderful pieces of equipment that can tell you whether you have a fire brewing or not. They can also let you know if you have any leaks coming from appliances that emit CO, such as your boiler.
CO is a dangerous gas and if you inhale too much of it, it can eventually kill you. If you ever feel woozy in your home, open your windows and check the CO levels immediately.
Install Cameras
With burglary being such a major problem these days, it is imperative that homeowners install spy cameras. With cameras, you can catch thieves in the act. You can also use speakers on cameras to issue warnings to people in your home. Just telling a burglar that you are watching them is often enough to deter them.
Lock Up Drugs And Weapons
Each year, dozens of people die in instances of friendly fire. Children will often pick up weapons and point them at themselves or other people in the household. They may also consume medications, thinking they are food or sweets.
Always lock up dangerous home items in a lockbox. If possible, use a keycode, not a key, so that nobody else can access them except for you.
Use Ground Fault Interrupters
Electrocutions are a common home hazard, but you can prevent them with ground fault interrupter units. These special devices cut the current to your appliances the moment they detect a short. It happens instantaneously, preventing electrocutions in their tracks.
Put Down A Anti-Slip Mat In The Tub
Falling over in the tub is dangerous even if you are a young adult. It can lead to broken bones.
Experts recommend, therefore, that you put down an anti-slip mat. Make sure that you get a product that won’t slip itself, as this can make getting in and out of the bath even more hazardous.
Cover Your Outlets
Depending on where in the world you live, electricity outlets can be exceptionally dangerous for kids.
If you aren’t using an outlet, cover them with a sliding cover. Sliding covers are better than standard versions because they remain in the wall socket at all times. Static covers are a potential choking hazard.
Invest In A Quality Home First Aid Kit
You never know when somebody might cut themselves, so having a good first aid kit on standby is a great idea. Make sure that it contains scissors, disinfectant wipes, plasters, and bandages.
Keep A Supply Of Drinking Water In Your Basement
If the water supply stops working in an emergency, you’ll want to make sure that you have a backup plan. Always keep large bottles of drinking water ready to go in your basement should a disaster strike.
Join The Local Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood watch schemes help deter criminals and bring members of the local community together to improve security. If there isn’t a neighborhood watch in your area, then you can start your own Facebook group where people can report crimes and issues they notice.
Change Your Locks
When was the last time you changed the locks for your home? If it was a long time ago, then there is a good chance that your security is at risk. Criminals may have copied keys and now have access to your home any time they want.
Changing the locks can be a big job, but it is worth it. It is particularly important if you live in rented accommodation. You never know who might have copied your keys.
Add Security Stickers
Security sticks don’t have any function at all, but you might be surprised by how effective they can be. Adding stickers to your porch window can deter criminals and make them think twice about entering your property. The larger the sticker, the better.
Add A Decoy
Many burglars adopt the “smash and grab” principle. The idea here is to quickly enter your home, take something valuable, and then run. Smart homeowners, therefore, create a decoy – valuable-looking box criminals can snatch the moment they bust through your door.
