Home Safety

A lot goes into making a house into a home. You want to make it comfortable of course, but above all, safe. Especially if you have children or pets. Here are a few home safety tips you can use to help protect your home, and everyone in it! Always start by reading and following all manufacturers’ instructions for installation and use of the items in these tips. It is always recommended to keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, and one on every other floor of your home. Take the time to read the instructions, before you are in a position to use it. Every home should have smoke detectors. Install smoke detectors on every floor of your home, including the basement-- you will sleep easier. That goes for carbon monoxide detectors too. You can’t smell carbon monoxide but that doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. An easy way to remember to check your fire extinguisher gauges to see they are full, and replace your detector’s batteries is to do it when you change your clocks for daylight savings time. In the meantime, check your smoke detector and other batteries monthly. If you have children, or children that visit, make sure to place plastic covers in your electrical outlets. To help prevent electric shocks and electric fires install a ground fault circuit interrupter electrical outlet in the kitchen, the bathrooms, or any other water source. And though it’s common sense of course, keep all electronics a safe distance from the sinks, bathtub and shower. Have a well-stocked First Aid kit somewhere in your home where you can easily get to it. And finally, keep all cleaning products and chemicals safe by storing them out of reach of children. If anyone in your household comes in accidental contact with any cleaning product, call the Poison Control Center or your doctor immediately for treatment advice. If you feel it is an emergency, don’t take chances. Call 911.