It can sometimes be difficult to remember all the little things we should be doing to keep our families safe. If you have any children, you will understand this completely. There are observances throughout the year that help us to remember to keep safety considerations high on our list of priorities. Home Safety Month is in June each year. Parents especially should take a look at our list of top 5 hidden dangers in the home, and our solutions to some of these hazards.
Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer for good reason. Odourless and invisible, carbon monoxide causes more accidental poisonings than anything else. It can come into the house from a car running in an attached garage, from malfunctioning appliances, and fireplaces, among other sources.
The only real way to protect you and your family from this danger is to get a carbon monoxide alarm. These should be installed on every level of the home, including the basement, and outside each sleeping area. Check with your fire department to see what local and state laws require in terms of placement. And be sure to have your appliances checked regularly.
Fire extinguishers are essential. Unattended cooking is the main reason behind home fires, so start by staying in the kitchen when you're using the stovetop, checking food frequently when it's in the oven, and keeping the range clear of anything that can catch fire.
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). This odourless, radioactive gas can move up from the soil and enter the home through 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. Your ability to escape from a home fire depends on advance warning from a smoke alarm but, also, from advance planning with an escape plan. Surprisingly, a recent survey showed that the fire escape strategy is only practiced by 29 percent of families.
The chance of burglary is actually overlooked in many households. You might think it'll never happen to you, but the reality is that a home is broken into every 14 seconds. There are basic ways to deter burglars from getting inside your home: install solid core entry doors with sturdy deadbolt locks; entries that are well-lit; metal grates should be installed on the windows in the basement; and trim bushes so there are fewer places to hide. If you have a safe, this will set your mind at ease knowing that your most important items are secure.
Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer for good reason. Odourless and invisible, carbon monoxide causes more accidental poisonings than anything else. It can come into the house from a car running in an attached garage, from malfunctioning appliances, and fireplaces, among other sources.
The only real way to protect you and your family from this danger is to get a carbon monoxide alarm. These should be installed on every level of the home, including the basement, and outside each sleeping area. Check with your fire department to see what local and state laws require in terms of placement. And be sure to have your appliances checked regularly.
Fire extinguishers are essential. Unattended cooking is the main reason behind home fires, so start by staying in the kitchen when you're using the stovetop, checking food frequently when it's in the oven, and keeping the range clear of anything that can catch fire.
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). This odourless, radioactive gas can move up from the soil and enter the home through 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. Your ability to escape from a home fire depends on advance warning from a smoke alarm but, also, from advance planning with an escape plan. Surprisingly, a recent survey showed that the fire escape strategy is only practiced by 29 percent of families.
The chance of burglary is actually overlooked in many households. You might think it'll never happen to you, but the reality is that a home is broken into every 14 seconds. There are basic ways to deter burglars from getting inside your home: install solid core entry doors with sturdy deadbolt locks; entries that are well-lit; metal grates should be installed on the windows in the basement; and trim bushes so there are fewer places to hide. If you have a safe, this will set your mind at ease knowing that your most important items are secure.
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