You can invest in a home security system, install bright lights on the perimeter of your property, and use a baby gate in every doorway of your home, but you’ll still need to practice some commonsense to really make your home safer.
It’s a good idea to install a home security system and fire and life safety equipment to help protect your family and home. However, many homeowners often forget to go the extra mile, which is putting safety into practice.
Do you want to learn how to make your home safer without spending money? Keep reading to learn some easy tips to practice around the home.
Test Your Fire and Life Safety Systems Regularly
Many homeowners have fire and life safety equipment installed to help keep their families safe, but are they working? The only way to know is to test. Test your smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and flood sensors on a regular basis to make sure they’re working properly. Test your flashlights too to see if they need new batteries. It’s a good idea to ensure all of your fire and life safety equipment is working properly in case you need them to work in the future.
Use Caution When Cooking
Accidents frequently occur in the kitchen, but many of them are preventable. Practice common sense when cooking, and you’ll have a better chance of avoiding anyone being injured by cuts or burns. All you have to do is make these kinds of things a habit, so you are always doing them. Some common tips include:
- Staying in the kitchen while something is cooking on the stovetop.
- Pointing pot and pan handles in.
- Keeping sharp knives out of reach of little hands.
- Cleaning up spills immediately, especially spills on the floor, to prevent slips and falls.
- Skipping the tablecloth if you have little ones or even pets who could pull on the cloth and thereby cause hot foods or liquids to fall on and burn them or others.
Lock Up Cleaners and Medicine
If you have kids, keep everything locked up any time it’s not in use, even if you’re going to use it again in a little while or the next day. We mean all of your household cleaners, soaps, and medicines inside of the house. This also includes your yard care products, paints and chemicals outside of the house.
But it’s not just the chemicals and cleaners that pose a threat. Even alcohol, matches, lighters, and, of course, guns should be locked up whenever they’re not in use. Obviously, what’s considered dangerous in your house will change as your kids get older, but it’s still a good habit to get into.
Check Security Systems on a Monthly Basis
It’s a good idea to check your home’s security systems on a monthly basis to ensure they’re working properly. This includes your security cameras, door and window sensors, and door locks. According to ADT, you should also test your system if you’ve changed your phone or internet service, or had any home renovations performed. If you notice any issues, contact a security company such as SafeStreets.
Additional Tips to Keep Your Home Safer
Other things you can do to make your home safer without spending any money include:
- Keeping shoes under your bed in case you should have to get up and get out in a hurry.
- Avoiding hanging anything dangerous such as glass over your bed or your kids’ beds. This will prevent anything dangerous from falling on you or a family member while sleeping.
- Having a family emergency plan and going over it on a regular basis, like monthly or quarterly. (Get ideas here.)
- Practicing common sense in everything you do around the house and always paying attention to the things that could go wrong.
Contact SafeStreets for all of Your Home Security Needs
SafeStreets is the country’s only ADT Authorized Provider. We take pride in installing state-of-the-art home security systems and home automation products to help keep homeowners across the country safe from threats such as burglaries and natural disasters. To learn more about our products or to schedule an appointment, contact SafeStreets today.
