Keeping a family as safe as possible takes a lot of work, as there are many aspects to consider. If there are children in your family, this is something you have often thought about. There are observances throughout the year that help us to remember to keep safety considerations high on our list of priorities. June is Home Safety Month, for instance. 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 the silent killer. It is invisible and has no odour, and it is actually the leading cause of accidental poisonings. It's produced by improperly working appliances, fireplaces, and it can even seep into the house from a running car in the garage.
Carbon monoxide alarms are the only way to detect carbon monoxide. Your home should have a detector on each level, basement included, and the sleeping areas should all have a detector. Your local fire department should be consulted so you can find out what the state laws are for where to place the detectors. Your home appliances should all be inspected on a regular basis.
Fire extinguishers are essential. The biggest cause of fires in the home is when people walk away while cooking, so always be in your kitchen when using the stove, check the oven often when you're baking, and be sure that there is nothing flammable near the range.
Foundation cracks don't sound scary but they can be deadly. If you're like many homeowners, you're probably unfamiliar with radon: the second leading cause of lung cancer (behind smoking). Cracks in the home's foundation could lead to this radioactive odourless gas to enter the home coming from the soil. Radon can actually enter homes with no basements through cracks near construction joints or service pipes.
It's invisible and has no scent, but it can be tested for with a kit that can be purchased.
Most people have no idea how quickly fires can spread in the home. 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. Escaping from a home that is on fire safely is dependent on having a fire alarm warn you, but for all residents to exit in time, you should have a plan worked out with your family. Shockingly though, only 29 percent of families have ever practiced their fire escape plan, according to one of our recent surveys.
Home theft is something that's frequently overlooked. People generally think they are not likely to be victimized, but the fact is that every 14 seconds a house is burglarized. Here are a few simple steps to take to prevent break-ins to your home: have heavy-duty deadbolt locks installed on solid core entry doors; properly lighted entries; metal grates should be installed on the windows in the basement; if there are bushes in the yard, keep them trimmed neatly so they can't be utilized by thieves to hide in. A safe will keep your most valuable belongings secure, so getting one will help you feel safer.
Carbon monoxide is the silent killer. It is invisible and has no odour, and it is actually the leading cause of accidental poisonings. It's produced by improperly working appliances, fireplaces, and it can even seep into the house from a running car in the garage.
Carbon monoxide alarms are the only way to detect carbon monoxide. Your home should have a detector on each level, basement included, and the sleeping areas should all have a detector. Your local fire department should be consulted so you can find out what the state laws are for where to place the detectors. Your home appliances should all be inspected on a regular basis.
Fire extinguishers are essential. The biggest cause of fires in the home is when people walk away while cooking, so always be in your kitchen when using the stove, check the oven often when you're baking, and be sure that there is nothing flammable near the range.
Foundation cracks don't sound scary but they can be deadly. If you're like many homeowners, you're probably unfamiliar with radon: the second leading cause of lung cancer (behind smoking). Cracks in the home's foundation could lead to this radioactive odourless gas to enter the home coming from the soil. Radon can actually enter homes with no basements through cracks near construction joints or service pipes.
It's invisible and has no scent, but it can be tested for with a kit that can be purchased.
Most people have no idea how quickly fires can spread in the home. 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. Escaping from a home that is on fire safely is dependent on having a fire alarm warn you, but for all residents to exit in time, you should have a plan worked out with your family. Shockingly though, only 29 percent of families have ever practiced their fire escape plan, according to one of our recent surveys.
Home theft is something that's frequently overlooked. People generally think they are not likely to be victimized, but the fact is that every 14 seconds a house is burglarized. Here are a few simple steps to take to prevent break-ins to your home: have heavy-duty deadbolt locks installed on solid core entry doors; properly lighted entries; metal grates should be installed on the windows in the basement; if there are bushes in the yard, keep them trimmed neatly so they can't be utilized by thieves to hide in. A safe will keep your most valuable belongings secure, so getting one will help you feel safer.
About the Author:
We offer the only Square One Insurance policy that can be truly tailored to your needs. Get a quote and buy a policy online or by phone. Or have a quick look at our home insurance video.
No comments:
Post a Comment