4 August Safe and Sound: Protecting Yourself from a Home Emergency August 4, 2020 By sma Safety home security 0 SAFE AND SOUND: PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM A HOME EMERGENCY August 4, 2020 | Home Maintenance, Safety | home security An emergency can strike anytime, anywhere, even in the place we’re supposed to feel safest--home. While it’s not easy to think about, some emergencies are unavoidable, and the best thing you can do for you and your family is be prepared. Do a Home Safety Check A preventative home safety check can help decrease your chances of a major accident. Examine each nook and cranny to ensure that you do a comprehensive check. Go room by room and inspect all appliances, fixtures and furniture for potential safety issues. In Your Kitchen Make sure all appliances are correctly wired, and replace old ones Check for frayed and exposed wiring Prevent dust build-up on vents Store all chemicals and cooking tools when not in use, especially if you have small children Test water filters, drains and disposals to see they are working properly Clean off grease or burnt food from your burners and oven Get rid of any expired food or drinks In Your Bedrooms and Living Rooms Don’t overload outlets or surge protectors Replace broken outlet plates, and put plastic coverings on unused outlets, especially if you have young children Anchor large items such as bookshelves, TVs or desk lamps so they won’t tip over Pad sharp corners on your bed, chairs, nightstands and entertainment center Fix any holes in your walls and repair broken furniture Seal up doors and windows to keep extreme temperatures and pests outside Make sure your ceiling fans are running smoothly In Your Bathrooms Safely store medicine and cleaning chemicals Inspect plumbing in your sinks, toilet and bath Clean or replace moldy shower doors and curtains, as well as tiling Place non-slip mats to prevent a serious fall Test your exhaust vents In Hallways and Stairways Secure rugs to keep them from sliding on the floor Reattach loose stair edging and treads Tighten wobbly bannisters If your wooden rails have a few chips and splinters, sand and refinish them Install lighting to reduce nighttime trip hazards Have sagging or damaged steps and landings immediately repaired In Your Basement Check that your electrical panel is safely wired and not overloaded Examine your water heater, and flush it if necessary Insulate your pipes and seal cracks or leaks Clean out your dryer vent and other ductwork Replace your air filters Have your entire HVAC system inspected and updated Maintain your window wells to prevent water intrusion Accounting for Small Children Whether you have kids yourself, or have family and friends that do, your checklist will need to be adapted. Unless you can watch them at all times, your house will need to go through a “baby overhaul.” Watch out for more things like chipped paint, high surfaces and easily accessible doors. Along with your normal check, go over a baby safety guide to keep everyone in your home out of harm’s way. Install Warning Devices and Preventative Items A checklist is a good starting point to improve your home’s safety, but there is even more involved. You should also install safety devices around your home. These devices include: Fire extinguishers Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors Burglar alarms Monitors Emergency radios Flashlights Severe weather alert systems First-aid kits, and more There are a variety of makes and models to choose from for each of these categories, so it is important to know which one fits your needs. Create a Plan On top of a safety check and other emergency features, the best thing you can do to protect yourself is having a plan. Whether it be a fire, severe storm, power outage or other situation, create a plan with your household. Each plan will be different depending on the circumstance, but some common elements are: Setting a meeting point after you’ve reached safety Knowing who to call for assistance Making sure each member of your family knows their role in an emergency and what they’re supposed to do You should regularly practice your plans, and update them as necessary. Even though you can’t account for every situation, regular practice and studying will keep you better prepared. Call National Property Inspections Today If you’re ever in question about something that you notice, don’t hesitate to call your local NPI home inspector. NPI inspectors are professionally trained to spot things that might normally go unseen. With a professional home inspection, NPI can help keep your family safe and happy. Comments are closed.