There are certain things you should keep in your home make it safer for family and friends. Here is a list of the most important safety essentials to have on hand.
Motion Sensor Lights
Install motion sensor lights to keep your family safer at night. Place them near the garage, at the front door, on the sides of the home, and on the back porch. Motion sensor lights turn on automatically when they sense movement, and will help ward off potential intruders.
Night Lights Make Your Home Safer
Plug night lights into outlets in dimly lit hallways, bathrooms, the kitchen, and anywhere family members may need to see better at night. Night lights throughout the home help prevent accidents and falls if someone needs to move around in the dark.
Smoke Alarms
Test your smoke alarms each month to make sure they’re working properly. Install them in each bedroom, the basement, and near the kitchen. Replace the batteries at least twice a year to make sure the devices will alert you immediately in case of fire.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon Monoxide detectors are safety essentials that are often overlooked. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. There’s no way to know whether it’s present in your home unless you have detectors installed.
Make Your Home Safer With Handrails
People can get seriously injured by falling down stairs. Install handrails on all stairs, indoors and out. If you have a basement, make sure the stairs leading there have sturdy, well-secured handrails.
Step Stools Make Your Home Safer
Keep a step stool in an easy-to-access area so you aren’t tempted to use tables or chairs when you need to get something out-of-reach. A step stool will come in handy in the kitchen and in the garage.
Deadbolt Locks Make Your Home Safer
Make sure all exterior doors are protected with a deadbolt lock. Deadbolt locks are much stronger than door knob locks. You’ll also want to have sturdy exterior doors for the best protection against intruders.
Grab Bars
Hardware stores sell grab bars that you can install to assist as you get in and out of the tub. Grab bars need to be secured by screwing them into wall studs. Tile, wallboard, or plaster aren’t sturdy enough to support the weight.
Flashlights
Buy a few flashlights and store them throughout the house. They will be useful during power outages. Stock up on extra batteries so you’re never without a functioning flashlight.
Fire Extinguisher
You need at least one fire extinguisher on every level of the home. There are various categories that put out different kinds of fires. Typically, a residential home needs an “ABC” fire extinguisher. Store the extinguishers in easy-to-reach locations and teach family members how to use them.
First-Aid Kit
Every home needs a well-stocked first-aid kit. Create your own or buy one that’s stocked with essential items. A first-aid kit should include the following things.
- Adhesive bandages
- Antiseptic ointment
- Cold packs
- Gauze pads
- Adhesive tape
- Tweezers
- Eyewash
- Scissors
- Disposable gloves
- Rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide
Your Emergency Contact List
Make sure each family member knows where the emergency contact list is. This list will have numbers for doctors, vets, urgent care, poison control, the babysitter, and other emergency contacts.
Anderson Home Inspections offers home inspection services in Central Ohio. If you’re buying or selling a home, contact us to request an appointment.