Editor’s note: We think of home as a sanctuary, so the term home safety is almost a redundancy. Unfortunately, bad things happen in good homes. This article is about the little things that can make a big difference in your safety.
What comes to mind when you think of how you can make your home safer? Here’s my list:
• Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. These two relatively inexpensive devices can save your life and the lives of your family. Remember, there should be one smoke detector and one carbon monoxide detector or a combination unit on every floor of your home, especially near your sleeping areas. A rule of thumb: Change the units’ batteries when you change your clocks, and if the units have celebrated their seventh birthday or you just don’t know how old they are, buy new ones. The average cost is around $25 to $50, depending on the type of features you want. That’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.
• A professionally installed security system helps you feel safe when you are home and when you are away. A complete system can usually be installed for less than $1,000, and monitoring the system usually costs around $20 per month.
• Lighting. Studies show that security systems and well-lit homes deter criminals. Consider using timers on inside lighting to create the appearance of an occupied home. In addition, outdoor lighting can be set up with timers or photo cells that turn on the lights when the sun goes down.
• Good deadbolts on all your doors will keep things shut tightly and offer additional security for you and your family.
Home safety also refers to taking measures to keep people inside the home safe. Such measures include:
• Make sure all your area rugs have anti-skid tape or padding to keep them from sliding.
• Repair loose hand rails and furniture; often all that you need are a few screws and some wood glue.
• Make sure your bathroom grab bars are set into the framing of the walls and are always secure and tight.
• Finally, make sure you have a good, strong step stool for reaching items that are high in closets, cabinets or storage units.
These little suggestions can have a big impact. Being safe inside the home should be as important as keeping your home safe.
Lou Manfredini is Ace Hardware’s “Helpful Hardware Man.”