So you finally saved up enough to buy your very first home. Congratulations. Becoming a homeowner is something to be proud of and a significant milestone in your life. Now that you own a home or are about to own one soon, there are other things to consider.
Home safety and security are important aspects of ensuring the well-being of yourself and your family. There are many steps that homeowners can take to keep their homes safe and secure.
It’s important to learn about what goes into your home. For example, fire extinguishers with AFFF filling are known to have PFAS chemicals that have dangerous effects on your health. This has even led to the Firefighter Foam Cancer Lawsuit, as several firefighters ended up suffering from various types of cancer due to the “forever chemicals” found in the foam.
Despite the outcry over “forever chemicals,” the manufacturer continued to defend its use of PFAS in a statement on December 20, 2022. Even though the lawsuits are starting to pile up, 3M states it will keep producing PFAS up to 2025 instead of stopping its use immediately. Thus, if you’re installing fire extinguishers in your new home, you need to be aware of their potential side effects.
In this article, we will discuss the various aspects of home safety and security, including fire safety, security measures, emergency preparedness, health and environmental hazards, child safety, home maintenance, and storing hazardous materials.
What Aspects Should You Focus On?
While some people believe that the best type of safety is a professionally managed one, there are still a lot of things you can do to up your security with just a few simple additions. These include:
- Fire Safety: Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor, including the basement and outside of sleeping areas. Ensure you routinely check them to see if they work. Creating a fire escape plan with your family and making sure all exits are easily accessible in case of an emergency is a good idea.
Be aware of potential fire hazards in your home, such as improperly stored flammable liquids or overloaded electrical outlets, and take steps to eliminate them. Ensure fire extinguishers are always nearby and that you have had some practice using one.
- Security: Installing a security camera or a set of them can be very useful, even though some raise concerns about the privacy dangers of modern systems. Deadbolts and window locks also protect your home from break-ins as long as all entry points, including doors and windows, are secured.
Keep lights on when you are away, and use timers to control lights and electronics. Consider getting a home security system, which can include alarm monitoring, remote access, and security cameras.
- Emergency Preparedness: Prepare for natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods, by creating an emergency plan and gathering emergency supplies. Keep a first aid kit on hand and know basic first aid techniques.
Keep a supply of non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered radio in case of power outages.
- Health and Environmental Hazards: Test your home for radon, lead, and other potential health hazards. Keep your home free of mold, pests, and other environmental hazards by performing regular maintenance and keeping your home clean and dry.
Properly ventilate and maintain appliances that produce combustion, such as furnaces and water heaters.
- Child Safety: Keep potential hazards, such as cleaning supplies, tools, and medications, out of reach of children. Use safety gates to block off staircases and use outlet covers to protect children from electrical hazards. Keep an eye on children around pools, water features, or other bodies of water.
- Home Maintenance: Regularly check and maintain appliances, electrical systems, and plumbing to prevent accidents and damage. Keep your home in good condition by performing regular maintenance, such as cleaning gutters, inspecting the roof, and trimming trees and bushes.
- Storing Hazardous Materials: Store hazardous materials such as pesticides, cleaning supplies, and fuel in a safe location away from children and heat sources. Ensure they remain in the original packing, and the labels are clearly visible.
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home and in every sleeping area. Test them regularly to ensure they are working properly.
Conclusion
We hope you found this article helpful. Remember that from preventing fires and break-ins to protecting against environmental hazards, there are many steps that homeowners can take to keep their homes safe and secure.
By taking the necessary precautions, you can help ensure that your home is safe and secure for you and your family. Remember that safety and security is an ongoing process, and it is important to regularly review and update your home safety measures to ensure that you and your family are protected at all times.