It can sometimes be difficult to remember all the little things we should be doing to keep our families safe. As a mother of three boys, I know this all too well. Observances have been set up at certain times of the year to encourage people to think about how to keep their families as safe as possible. June is Home Safety Month, for instance. For all you fellow parents out there, here are what I believe to be the top five hidden home dangers, along with my stay-safe solutions.
Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer for good reason. It is invisible and has no odour, and it is actually the leading cause of accidental poisonings. This gas can be produced in many ways, from a car running in a garage seeping into the home, to fireplaces, and also appliances that are malfunctioning.
A carbon monoxide alarm is the only way for you to protect your family from poisoning. Each level of the home should have an alarm installed, especially outside the sleeping areas, and don't forget one for the basement. Your local fire department should be consulted so you can find out what the state laws are for where to place the detectors. And be sure to have your appliances checked regularly.
It's crucial that you have fire extinguishers. The biggest cause of fires in the home is when people walk away while cooking, so always be in your kitchen when using the stove, check the oven often when you're baking, and be sure that there is nothing flammable near the range.
Cracks in your foundation may seem harmless, but they could lead to deaths in the home. If you're like many homeowners, you're probably unfamiliar with radon: the second leading cause of lung cancer (behind smoking). Radon is also odourless, and it is a radioactive gas that can move through the ground and seep into the home through the cracks in the foundation. If a home has no basement, it's no guarantee that radon isn't present, since it can seep into the house through construction joints or service pipes connected to the home.
It's invisible and has no scent, but it can be tested for with a kit that can be purchased.
The speed that fires can spread in the home is very fast, and most people aren't aware of this. If a smoke alarm is beeping, there can sometimes be only around 2 minutes to get your family together and exit the home before it spreads too far to exit safely. Escaping from a home that is on fire safely is dependent on having a fire alarm warn you, but for all residents to exit in time, you should have a plan worked out with your family. In a recent survey, it was indicated that only 29 percent of families have gone over their emergency exit strategy.
Home theft is something that's frequently overlooked. Many of us believe that it's not something we need to consider, but the sad truth is that every 14 seconds there is a break-in somewhere. Here are a few simple steps to take to prevent break-ins to your home: have heavy-duty deadbolt locks installed on solid core entry doors; entries that are well-lit; basement windows should be fitted with metal grates; if there are bushes in the yard, keep them trimmed neatly so they can't be utilized by thieves to hide in. A safe will keep your most valuable belongings secure, so getting one will help you feel safer.
Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer for good reason. It is invisible and has no odour, and it is actually the leading cause of accidental poisonings. This gas can be produced in many ways, from a car running in a garage seeping into the home, to fireplaces, and also appliances that are malfunctioning.
A carbon monoxide alarm is the only way for you to protect your family from poisoning. Each level of the home should have an alarm installed, especially outside the sleeping areas, and don't forget one for the basement. Your local fire department should be consulted so you can find out what the state laws are for where to place the detectors. And be sure to have your appliances checked regularly.
It's crucial that you have fire extinguishers. The biggest cause of fires in the home is when people walk away while cooking, so always be in your kitchen when using the stove, check the oven often when you're baking, and be sure that there is nothing flammable near the range.
Cracks in your foundation may seem harmless, but they could lead to deaths in the home. If you're like many homeowners, you're probably unfamiliar with radon: the second leading cause of lung cancer (behind smoking). Radon is also odourless, and it is a radioactive gas that can move through the ground and seep into the home through the cracks in the foundation. If a home has no basement, it's no guarantee that radon isn't present, since it can seep into the house through construction joints or service pipes connected to the home.
It's invisible and has no scent, but it can be tested for with a kit that can be purchased.
The speed that fires can spread in the home is very fast, and most people aren't aware of this. If a smoke alarm is beeping, there can sometimes be only around 2 minutes to get your family together and exit the home before it spreads too far to exit safely. Escaping from a home that is on fire safely is dependent on having a fire alarm warn you, but for all residents to exit in time, you should have a plan worked out with your family. In a recent survey, it was indicated that only 29 percent of families have gone over their emergency exit strategy.
Home theft is something that's frequently overlooked. Many of us believe that it's not something we need to consider, but the sad truth is that every 14 seconds there is a break-in somewhere. Here are a few simple steps to take to prevent break-ins to your home: have heavy-duty deadbolt locks installed on solid core entry doors; entries that are well-lit; basement windows should be fitted with metal grates; if there are bushes in the yard, keep them trimmed neatly so they can't be utilized by thieves to hide in. A safe will keep your most valuable belongings secure, so getting one will help you feel safer.
About the Author:
We offer the only Square One Insurance policy that can be truly tailored to your needs. Get a quote and buy a policy online or by phone. Or have a quick look at our home insurance video.
No comments:
Post a Comment