Your home should be a haven for you and your family. Unfortunately, many potential dangers can exist in even the most well-kept homes. According to a 2020 report by the National Safety Council, an estimated 78% of preventable injury-related deaths occurred in homes. This figure shows just how important it is to take steps to protect your loved ones from harm.
Luckily, you can take several simple steps to make your home safer for your family. Here are some tips that can help you.
Keep your home clean and clutter-free
Of course, you can’t eliminate all potential hazards from your home. But you can reduce the risk of accidents by keeping your living space clean and clutter-free. In particular, regularly declutter common areas like the kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Not only will this help prevent trip-and-fall, but it will also make your home look and feel more inviting.
Ensure dishes are put away in the kitchen and spills are cleaned immediately. In the living room, keep cords and toys off the floor. And in the bathroom, use mats in front of the tub and shower to prevent slips.
Additionally, don’t forget to declutter often-forgotten areas like closets, garages, and attics. These areas can quickly become cluttered and dangerous, so keeping them tidy is important.
Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
Did you know that home fires kill an average of seven people in the United States daily? Installing smoke detectors is one of the best ways to protect your family from fire.
Homes with working smoke alarms are 50% less likely to experience fire-related deaths. So, install detectors on every level of your home and in every bedroom. And test them monthly to ensure they’re working correctly.
In addition to smoke detectors, you should also install carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that can be deadly if inhaled. But with a sensor, you can quickly identify when there are dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home. This way, you can open windows and get your family to fresh air before anyone becomes ill.
When you have detectors installed, you can be confident that your family will be alerted to any potential dangers in your home. Thus, giving you time to take action and keep everyone safe.
Secure all potential hazards
Another way to make your home safe is to secure all potential hazards. That includes things like chemicals, firearms, and medications. If you have any harmful items in your home, keep them in a locked cabinet or room. Doing so will prevent curious children from getting their hands on them.
Many families also choose to install child safety locks on cabinets and doors. These locks can be an extra layer of protection, especially if you have young children in your home. However, there could be a case where your child needs to access a dangerous item in an emergency. So, teaching your kids how to use the locks properly is essential.
Suppose your child is well-versed in how to use and access potential hazards safely. In that case, they’ll be better equipped to handle any emergencies.
Install safety gates
Gates are simple but effective tools that can help keep your family safe. If you have young children, install these barriers at the top and bottom of your stairs. Doing so will prevent them from taking a tumble down the steps.
You can also use gates for your home exterior. For example, if you have a pool, install a gate around it. Doing so will ensure that small children can’t wander into the pool area unsupervised. Many homes also have a gate leading to the driveway. This method can help prevent children from running into the street.
No matter what type of gate you choose, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation. Or, better yet, hire a professional to do it for you. This way, you can be confident that the gate is adequately secured and won’t fail when needed.
Make your home well-lit
Did you know that nearly half of all accidents happen in dimly lit areas? That’s why keeping your home well-lit is a crucial safety measure.
Not only will good lighting help you avoid trips and falls, but it can also deter criminals. After all, most burglars prefer to break into homes that are dark and hidden from view. But when your home is well-lit, it’s much less likely to be targeted.
There are a few different ways you can add light to your home. For example, you can install solar-powered lights outside. These are great for lighting up dark areas like walkways and driveways. You can also add motion-sensor lights. These will turn on automatically when someone approaches your home, making it more difficult for criminals to go unnoticed.
Whichever you decide, what matters most is that your home is lit up inside and out. This way, you can deter criminals and reduce the risk of accidents.
You can do several things to make your home a safe place for your family. From installing detectors to securing potential hazards, these measures will help keep everyone safe. So, be sure to take the time to implement them in your home.
