How To Make Your Home Safer – We are Prepared

There are many things to consider when talking about making your home safer, security, safe for children, safe from fire and accident, safety of your chemicals and flammables. When coming up with these thoughts I decided to cast a wide net and try to bring up topics and ideas for all to consider and then hope you can tailor for your personal/family situation. Some of the ideas may not fit you needs or budget at this time so please take this as a way to start the thought process on how to make your home safer. This is no way a directive or something that will cover everything, hopefully just some good ideas to help get started.

Secure the doors

Don’t help a burglar stroll in through the front door (34% of them do!). I recommend to inspect all of your exterior doors to make sure the door frames are strong, the hinges are protected, and—if your door has a mail slot—that someone can’t reach through it to unlock the door.

If you’re moving into a residence that someone else used to call home, change the door locks. That way you won’t have strangers out there with a key to your house, and you can make

Lock the windows

According to theft expert Dr. Ben Stickle, windows are “a common entry point for criminals” and may be left shut but unlocked by the previous homeowner. Plus, manufacturer latches on windows aren’t always effective—and sometimes they’re downright flimsy.

If you don’t like the looks of your window latches, beef up security with aftermarket window locks or key-operated levers. But you don’t have to stop there.

We have some other good ideas to help make your windows burglar-proof.

Reinforce glass with window security film.
Install window sensors or glass break sensors.
Add window bars.
Plant prickly bushes under first-floor windows (but be sure to keep them trimmed).

Light up the landscape

Vandals, burglars, and other criminals don’t like to be in the spotlight. Keep them at bay with ample outdoor lighting. Place lights around your front and back yards, along pathways, and near the garage and other outdoor structures. Not only will you make intruders skittish, you’ll also cut down your risk of a stumble on your way up the front steps.

Make your outdoor security lights even more effective with these tips:

Use motion-activated lights.
Save energy with solar-powered lights.
Use a smart outlet to put outdoor lights on a timer.
Set up schedules with smart light bulbs.

Set up a security system

Your new home should have some form of a security system, whether it’s a basic DIY system or one that comes with professional monitoring and home automation features. Today there are plenty of home security options for every budget and every level of protection.

Don’t forget the garage

This entry point to your home is becoming more popular with criminals. And even if they can’t access your house, chances are you have plenty of good stuff stored in the garage. Make it a habit to lock all doors to the garage—both interior and exterior.

You may also consider keeping your garage door opener in the house. That way, a burglar can’t grab it out of your car. And if you use a security code to open the garage, make sure you keep it secret and never enter it in front of delivery people, neighbors, or anyone else.

Lock down your Wi-Fi network

Your home wireless network is a doorway to your personal and financial information. And if you use home automation, it can also make your house vulnerable to a break-in. If your Wi-Fi network is connected to smart home gadgets or your security system, it could give criminals direct access to your home.

But you don’t have to leave yourself vulnerable. Use our tips and tricks to keep hackers off your home network.

Secure your wireless router.
Enable WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2 encryption.
Rename and hide your home network.
Use a firewall.
Install antivirus and anti-malware protection.
Create strong passwords.
Using a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to secure your internet connection

Eliminate hiding places

Trees and shrubs may give your house curb appeal, but they also give burglars a handy place to hide. Trim down trees and plants close to your home that could be used for cover. Opt for smaller flowers and bushes instead. If you have trees near windows, either remove them or reinforce those windows with extra security.

And don’t neglect the rest of your home’s exterior. Use these best practices to keep things locked up tight.

Always put away stools and ladders.
Lock gates, sheds, and other outdoor buildings.
Don’t tempt thieves by leaving pricey goods on display in the yard.
Add security signs and stickers—even if you don’t have a security system.

Add security cameras

You’ve probably seen headlines about burglars and porch pirates being foiled by security camera footage. This is one home security solution that works as both a deterrent and a means to get justice. You can get security cameras that are part of a complete home security system, or you can use cameras that work on their own.

Get a safe

In the event that someone gets by your other home security strategies, make sure that valuables are protected. An in-home safe is a secure depository for everything from jewelry to vital documents like passports. You want a safe that is fire-resistant, waterproof, and heavy enough that a thief can’t walk away with it. Consider bolting it down also.

Use home automation

If you’ve been tempted to turn your regular house into a smart home, security is one compelling reason to follow through. Home automation gives you remote (or scheduled) control of lights, door locks, security cameras, smoke alarms, and other safety devices. You can get real-time alerts about suspicious activity so you can respond quickly and thwart potential thieves.

Here are some of our favorite ways to use home automation to increase security:

Schedule lights (and your TV) to turn on and off when you’re on vacation.
Scare away porch pirates with two-way talk through a smart doorbell.
Get an instant video feed whenever someone walks up your driveway.
Check on a smoke or CO alarm and cancel false alarms from your smartphone.

Prevent house fires

Do what you can to prevent a fire in your new home.

Inspect current fire alarms and CO detectors to make sure they’re working.
Install new detectors where necessary.
Check the charge and expiration date on current fire extinguishers.
Buy new fire extinguishers if necessary.
Call a professional chimney inspector before using the fireplace. Here are some more fireplace safety tips.
Don’t forget to make a new fire exit plan based on your home’s layout, complete with fire escape ladders for second-story bedrooms.

Learn CPR

CPR saves lives. Without CPR, it takes three to four minutes for a person to become brain-deaddue to a lack of oxygen. Please, please learn how to perform CPR (and the Heimlich, for good measure).

Prepare for tornadoes

Preparing for disasters may seem a little paranoid, but it’s smart. Disasters can strike in an instant. Start by creating a tornado-safe room. This room should be windowless and stocked with emergency supplies like food, water, medication, and a radio.

Keep an emergency supply of water

Water’s one of the first things to run out during an emergency. Keep an emergency supply by storing at least three gallons of water per person in your residence.

Keep an emergency supply of food

You should also keep a three-day supply of food handy. Your food can be anything that gives you plenty of energy and lasts a long time without refrigeration. That includes jerky, dried fruit and nuts, Cliff Bars, Spam, and bean soups (keep a can opener around). If you have a baby, you should also have prepared baby food on hand.

We recommend checking the expiration dates on stored food at least once a year.

Keep an emergency radio handy

Radios may be obsolete technology, but they’re an excellent backup when the Wi-Fi’s down and your phone’s dead. Invest in a battery-operated or hand-cranked AM/FM radio. Also, consider investing in a NOAA radio.

Keep a first aid kit handy

This is pretty straightforward. Just know that some items in a first aid kit do expire. You should update yours periodically.

Use GFCI outlets

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters prevent electric shocks, and they’re required by code in certain rooms. If you own a newer home, you’ve probably noticed them in your kitchen and bathroom. You’ll also find them in areas that are prone to moisture, like a crawl space.

If you have an older home, you can add a GFCI receptacle for about fairly cheap. A worthy investment.

Invest in safety gloves

If you like to slice and dice, you should invest in no-cut safety gloves, which are on Amazon. You’ll never have to worry about losing a finger again!

Perform a radon gas test

Radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. According to Verywell Health, “Radon gas results from the natural decay of uranium beneath our homes.” It could be in your home without you even knowing. The only way to know for sure is to test your home. To perform the test, buy a radon gas test from Amazon.

The EPA and the Surgeon General both recommend testing for all homes and also first- or second-floor apartments.

Lock the unusual

Locking the front door seems pretty standard, but most people don’t think to secure things like gates, sheds, and garages. These easily accessible structures are perfect targets for a quick grab-and-run. We suggest investing in a good lock for all three items or even adding an outdoor video camera to keep an eye on things.

Lock up any drugs or weapons

If you take medication or own weapons, keep them locked up. It’s especially important to get a secure gun safe.

Look out for poison that looks like food

Keep household cleaners and medications out of the kitchen and away from food. Cough drops look like candy. Pills look like candy. Shaving cream looks like whip cream! Kids don’t always know the difference, so it’s best to keep poisonous products out of reach.

Add sensors to monitor locked-up things

Use an open/close sensor to monitor things that should be locked up. The sensor can send an alert if someone sneaks into the medicine cabinet or the gun safe. You can even set up alerts on your phone without paying a monthly fee.

Add flood or freeze sensors

Broken or frozen pipes can do significant damage. You can detect these risks through home automation. Freeze sensors and flood sensors can monitor temperature and water. If the sensors detect an issue, you’ll be notified so that you can address it before things get out of hand.

Stay safe in the tub

Kids can’t supervise themselves. Don’t leave them alone in the tub. Instead, gather anything you might need to use during bath time beforehand and bring it with you. If you do use your phone or read a book while you’re in there, look up frequently to make sure everyone’s okay.

Add slip-resistant mats to the bath

Slip-resistant mats might seem like an old person thing, but they guard against accidental slips in the tub or shower. Hey, they happen to everyone.

Install bathroom grab bars

This is a step up from the slip-resistant mat. You might feel too young for grab bars, but let’s face it: you’re going to need them eventually. Why not be extra safe by installing them now?

Check the water temperature

You can adjust your water through the heater, not just through the faucet. Set the water heater thermostat to a temperature below 120°F to reduce the risk of burns and scalding.

Keep cords away from children

Cords are dangerous for little ones. Not just window blind cords; laptop and charger cords can be risky, too. Keep them out of reach and off the ground. (They’re also a tripping hazard.)

Inspect Electric cords

Inspect cords for fraying, breakage or exposed wired, repair and replace as needed.

Cover those outlets

We know old-school outlet covers are hard to use and a potential choking hazard, but you need to cover your outlets. Try a sliding cover as a handy alternative. Sliding covers stay connected to the outlet all the time, so you won’t leave them lying around while you’re vacuuming.

Watch out for the stairs

Stairs can be dangerous. Keep your stairways well lit, and if you don’t have a stable railing, add one. If there’s carpet on your stairs, it needs to be tight with no protruding nails or tripping hazards. And, if you’ve got little ones, put a gate at the top of the stairs.

Secure your TV

Wall-mounted TVs look good, and they’re safer than setting a TV on a stand. Securing your television to the wall makes it less likely to fall on something or someone.

Take home maintenance seriously

Don’t let the projects pile up. Some home maintenance issues can be safety issues. Think carpet that no longer lies flat (tripping hazard), smoke alarms with old batteries (fire hazard), burnt-out lightbulbs (safety issue), or mold (health issue). A home in tip-top shape is a safe home.

Create a home inventory

Make a home inventory, just in case the contents of your home ever need to be replaced by your insurance company. You can keep the finished list in your fireproof safe. It’s smart to also put a digital copy in the cloud, just in case.

Blow out the candle

Candles smell nice and create a romantic ambiance, but don’t leave them burning unattended. If you can’t stand to sit still long enough to babysit a candle, diffuse oils or use dimmable lights instead.

Close the door against fire

If you’re caught in a house fire, asphyxiation could kill you even if you escape the flames. Use a piece of cloth over your mouth as a filter and stay low to the ground. And when you find a flame-free room, close the door.

Create a home evacuation plan

How do you get out when there’s a fire? Create a home evacuation plan and practice it quarterly with your family. Make sure your kids know how to unlock their bedroom windows and push out the screens if needed (but maybe also g et security cameras so they can’t use that technique to sneak out).

Buy a fire ladder

If you own a two-story home, invest in a fire ladder (available on Amazon). Today’s homes have beautiful, open-air floor plans. They look fantastic, but without barriers between rooms, they burn faster. When a fire occurs, you don’t have much time to escape. A fire ladder could literally be a lifesaver.

Install a smoke detector

Adding a smoke detector to each floor of your home and in every bedroom is an easy way to keep your family safe.

Install a CO detector

Some smoke detectors are smoke/CO combos, but if your smoke alarm can’t detect carbon monoxide (CO), you should add a separate detector. Also, be alert to the signs of CO. You can’t smell it, but it can make you feel woozy and forgetful.

Invest in a fire extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are best for small kitchen fires. Buy one, then learn to use it.

If the fire’s rapidly spreading, get out, don’t try to put it out. But you can still grab the extinguisher if it’s nearby; you might be able to use it to create a quick path through the flames.

Use space heaters safely

Space heaters are a must-have in frigid apartments and chilly basements, but you have to be careful. Never leave your heater unattended, and keep debris and flammable objects at a safe distance. It’s also a good idea to dust out the inside of space heater on a regular basis (but not when it’s running).

Don’t multitask while cooking

You have fried chicken on the stove, laundry in the dryer, kids who need homework help, and urgent texts from your boss. This is a recipe for a fire-related disaster.

Don’t leave food on the stove top unattended. If you have to answer a text or sift through the mail, stay nearby. Keep pot and pan handles turned so kids can’t reach them, or—better yet—keep the kids out of the kitchen.

Add mulch to your swing set

If you own a swing set or other outdoor play equipment, consider adding a foot of wood chips or mulch. The chips create a soft layer to lessen the blow of falls.

Grill safely

The best spot to use a grill is on a concrete patio-type surface that’s at least 10 feet away from flammable things like landscaping . . . and your house. Grills should never be used in apartment buildings or on balconies. Some parks have free grills, so if you want to host a barbecue night, that’s a possible alternative.

Be cautious with lawnmowers

Don’t mow the lawn with kiddos (or anyone else) around. The lawnmower can throw rocks and sticks.

Also, if you’re having an older child or young teenager mow the lawn, we suggest staying out there with them.

Play it safe in the pool

Drowning’s a leading cause of death for young people. If you have a home pool, put a fence around it. Installing a four-sided fence reduces a child’s risk of drowning by 83%.

Fence in your yard

In fact, go ahead and fence in the whole yard. A solid fence with a sturdy side-yard gate can help keep out unwanted intruders. Of course—make sure that it locks, and keep it locked.

Clean up your landscaping

Don’t give a burglar a place to hide. Tidy overgrown landscaping. Keep bushes trim, and pick up your walkways while you’re at it. You don’t want to create a tripping hazard for yourself by cluttering up sidewalks. (Unless you think the best way to deter burglars is through Home Alone-style booby-trapping.)

Plant landscaping with safety in mind

Plant thorny plants near windows. No one will be able to get in or even peer in without being scratched.

Don’t supply burglars with tools

Keep things like ladders and tools picked up and put away. You don’t want to provide burglars with the tools they need to break into your home.

Use the best defense

The best defense is never to step foot in a home again. JK. The best defense is to use common sense inside your home (and, frankly, outside of it). You can’t accidentally start an indoor fire if you aren’t playing with matches indoors. A burglar won’t stroll casually into your home if you keep doors locked, and you’re more likely to escape a house fire if you run periodic drills.

Along those same lines, teach your kids to be smart about what they do. And don’t let anyone into your home if they don’t respect your rules.

Understand how your home works

Learn how to turn off your power, water and gas in an emergency

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