Vibrant Living For June

Home Safety Tips to Implement Today

When was the last time you paused to do a safety evaluation of your home? Home safety is not something we think of every day, but it's important to revisit now and then to make sure no safety issues go unnoticed. With June being National Home Safety Month, now is a great time to put a plan in place to prevent injuries at home and ensure you and your family are prepared for any situation.
 
Home Safety Tips
Below are some basic tips to incorporate to help you improve the safety of your home.

Fire Safety. Check that smoke alarms are placed in each bedroom and on every level of your home. Set a reminder on your phone to test smoke alarms once a month and make sure they're in working order. The Fire Corps recommends you have a fire extinguisher on every level of the home and that everyone in your household knows how to use one. Keep bulbs and light fixtures away from curtains, bedding, and other fabric. Lastly, prevent electrical fires by checking frayed or worn out cords and testing your outlets to ensure they aren't being overloaded.

Home Security. Make sure your home is protected from unwanted visitors by boosting your home's security. Keep intruders at bay with motion-sensor lights for the outdoors, and join a neighborhood watch program to stay in the know of any suspicious activity in your area. For added protection, get electronic locks that allow you to control access to your home from anywhere, or go a step further and install a security and surveillance system that notifies your family, as well as the authorities, in case of a break‑in.

Emergency Preparedness. Does everyone in your household know what to do in case of an emergency? To make sure they do, create evacuation plans for different types of emergencies, such as fires, tornadoes, or hurricanes, and then practice each plan with your family. Don't forget to create an emergency preparedness kit that includes water, food, a flashlight, first aid, and other supplies. Visit Ready.gov to learn more about how to create an emergency supply kit.

 

Consider Your Situation
In addition to the above steps, think about any special circumstances you might need to consider for your home. For instance, if you have children, identify any areas where they can bump into sharp objects, access medication or cleaning products, or have a potential fall. If an elderly person lives in your home, you may need to make modifications to areas such as the bathroom, stairs, or kitchen to reduce the risk for potential injuries.

While improving your home's safety might take some time and effort, it's well worth it. You can never be too prepared when it comes to protecting yourself and the ones you love.

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