You’ve turned on the alarm. Triple-checked the locks. Left a few lights or the TV on to trick potential intruders into thinking someone’s home. The house is safe now, right?
Yes, it might be. But let’s think outside the box a little: home safety, for the most part, is linked to warding off burglars. While that’s the main reason why homeowners do all of the above, they should also remember that their own home is where the greatest accident risk is—even when there’s no thief visible.
Truth is, there are more great ways to watch out for your home’s security, some of which you haven’t yet considered and could save your family from harm. We’ve listed a few of them below:
Substitute Blind Cords For Motorized Windows
You’ve probably heard: if you have children, blind cords can be deadly. 12 percent of kids can get caught in blind cords and the consequences are lethal. Even if you’re a stay-at-home mom, it’s improbable that you’ll be able to watch your kids without interruption.
In this case, your best alternative is to consider motorized window treatments instead of blinds. They not only eliminate dangers for small kids but also reduce the accumulation of dust, making them an ideal choice for little ones and those susceptible to allergies.
Choose Railings Made Of Stainless Steel
Whether on staircases or balconies, railings are undoubtedly the best way to prevent falls. Depending on the material you choose, you could also be preventing your family from toxin exposure. Let us explain:
When giving your home a paint job (and that includes railings), the characteristic strong paint smell shouldn’t be your only concern. Traditional paints release certain volatile chemicals—also called volatile organic compounds—that remain in the ambient even years after a paint job, contrary to the odor. These compounds can be harmful to the health of whoever’s in the house.
Stainless steel, on the other hand, is durable and rust-proof. That means it’s your best choice for indoor or outdoor railings, regardless of weather conditions. You can do your best research by googling “stainless steel railings company near me”.
Have A Comprehensive Fire Escape Plan
Preventing home fires can be tricky. Even if you have installed smoke alarms, the fact that they’ll work when you need them the most isn’t a certainty seeing that, in a period of three years, 23 percent of fire-related deaths happened in homes where fire alarms didn’t work correctly.
Of course, alarms are essential and so are fire extinguishers in strategic places. Speaking of strategy, you should create an uncomplicated fire escape plan for the whole family and conduct a monthly fire drill—this will make sure everybody knows how to escape in the case of a real situation, especially children.
Automate Your Home
Just like smartphones, we can now have smart locks and smart lights in our homes.
Home automation can put simple yet easily forgettable activities in the palm of your hands. You no longer need to wrack your brain trying to remember if you locked the front door—when in doubt, just check an app on your cellphone. If it’s unlocked, solve your problem with a click.
Noticed suspicious activity in the backyard at night? Don’t put your life at risk by going out there. Simply turn on the lights without leaving where you are. If there’s an intruder, they’ll likely panic and go away.
Learn Everything You Can About Personal Safety
It doesn’t matter how convinced you are that nothing bad can happen in your home; taking some time to learn CPR and the Heimlich maneuver is always a good idea. You need to be prepared for life-threatening situations such as witnessing a loved one choking or drowning in a pool. These kinds of problems require fast thinking and acting, therefore you should already be aware of what to do to save a life.
The only way to create a truly safe household is to see safety issues from all angles. From fending off intruders to avoiding tragic accidents, be sure to prevent all concerns from the inside out.
