Be Prepared With Home Safety Essentials

As a homeowner, it’s important to be prepared for unexpected situations. Here are a few home safety essentials to have in the house.

1. First Aid Kit

You’ll be better prepared for an emergency when you have a first aid kit on hand. Build one yourself, or buy one that’s already stocked with essential items. Choose a kit that has the basics, plus items like a safety whistle, alcohol swabs, and CPR masks.

2. Create an Emergency Contact List

Have all important phone numbers handy in the event of an emergency. Your list should be easy to access and include contact information for poison control, your family doctor, urgent care, your child’s school, the dentist, your veterinarian, utility companies, family members, and babysitters.

3. Motion Detector Lights

Motion detector lights are an excellent deterrent against burglars on your property. If your yard is illuminated at the first sign of motion, the intruder may be frightened away. Use motion detectors near the driveway, entryways, and in the backyard of your home.

4. Child-Proofing Tools

You can help prevent accidents by childproofing your home. Use outlet covers so kids can’t put toys or their fingers into the sockets. Replace corded blinds with cordless options to eliminate strangulation hazards. Secure heavy furniture to the wall. Use a baby gate to restrict the areas where your infant is allowed.

5. Smoke Alarms

People die in house fires every year due to the lack of working smoke detectors in the home. Test your smoke detectors once a month, and replace the batteries at least twice a year. The devices themselves might become faulty over time and will need to be replaced periodically.

6. Emergency Radio

Make sure you’re ready for a power outage. Your home safety essentials list should include a radio that works via hand crank, solar power, or batteries. It will be useful in the event of an extended blackout for weather updates.

7. Create a Fire Escape Plan

Draw up a plan that helps family members understand how to escape from each room in the house. Buy escape ladders and position them in upstairs bedrooms so no one gets trapped during a fire. Teach everyone how to use them safely.

8. Flameless Candles

Purchase flameless, battery-powered candles for use in an emergency situation. Real candles pose a hazard if left unattended. Flameless candles are safer and reduce the risk of fire in the home.

9. Fire Extinguisher

Keep a fire extinguisher near the kitchen. Learn how to use it and help family members become familiar with the device. Ideally, you’ll have at least one extinguisher on every floor of your home.

The Owners Promise to You

“I’m Troy Thornhill, owner and lead home inspector of Healthy Home Inspections Inc. My promise to you and every client is that my company will always work in your best interests. We’re on your side every step of the way to ensure that our applied skills and experience translate to you being able to make an informed and confident decision when buying a home.”