Home Safety

An important part of setting up your house is considering safety matters. Complete home safety plans will differ in various parts of the country due to the types of disasters that can occur in each. Listed below, are just a few of the areas you need to watch.

Lighting

Adequate lighting is one of the major points of concern for your home safety. You should be able to turn on a light without having to walk into a dark room.  There should be a lamp or light switch near your bedside. Even a small “night light” can keep you from running into things in the middle of the night. If you have stairways in your house, there should be light switches both at the top and the bottom. Also, think about outside lights. Are they placed where needed to prevent falls AND to decrease the chance of burglaries?

Fall Prevention

Lamps, extension (and telephone) cords should not be strung out where people will be walking. Remove any clutter from halls and passageways. Make sure carpets and throw rugs are secured with double-sided tape or non-skid backing and that carpets lie flat. DO NOT stand on a chair to reach something in a high cabinet – use a “sturdy” step stool.  Handrails on stairways are a MUST! Is there a non-skid mat or decals in your bathtub and a sturdy grab bar?

Fire/Burn Prevention

Place smoke detectors near your bedroom doors. Put fire extinguishers in your kitchen and garage – learn how to use them! Only use a fire extinguisher for a small fire. For larger fires, call 911 or your fire department. Don’t forget – never leave whatever you’re cooking unattended. Be sure your curtains, towels and furniture are AT LEAST 12 inches from portable and/or baseboard heaters. If you have a fireplace, use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks and have your chimney cleaned every fall. When you light a gas fireplace, strike your match first, before turning on the gas. Have gas appliances, water heaters and furnaces should be checked by a qualified technician annually. Don’t leave your house while your clothes dryer is running. Fires have been known to start from lint igniting or inadequate venting. Burns from hot water can be prevented by keeping your hot water temperature 120 degrees or lower.

Other Safety Matters

Have an emergency exit plan in case of fire. Also keep a disaster preparedness kit where it can be reached easily if there’s an earthquake, tornado, or other disaster. KNOW HOW to turn off gas and electricity, if needed. Keep a list of emergency phone numbers near your telephone. This list should include family members or friends that should be contacted.

 You have to be alert to keep your home, and yourself, safe. Be aware of your surroundings and how you can implement safety measures. It’s your life!