Safety is a top priority in the home, and some essential items are necessary to be prepared in all scenarios. Here are 5 home safety essentials that will come in handy in emergency situations.
Smoke and CO Alarms
One of the most basic ways to keep your home safe is by having enough operational smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Just because the home you move into has detectors, you shouldn’t assume that they all work. Detectors have a lifespan of only 10 years and their batteries can die long before that. Some smoke detectors also detect CO, but this also shouldn’t be assumed. CO detectors work better if they are installed closer to the ground instead of overhead, so it is best to have separate CO alarms that are plugged into wall outlets. Test all alarms monthly to verify that they are working.
Fire Extinguishers are Home Safety Essentials
You may think of fire extinguishers only in commercial settings, but they are also home safety essentials. A fire extinguisher can quickly put a small fire out before it gets out of hand. Keep a multi-use fire extinguisher in the kitchen that can put out a fire that is burning grease or materials like paper and cloth.
First-Aid Kit
A basic first aid kit is essential for every household. Minor injuries will occasionally occur that require band-aids or over-the-counter pain medication. Also, keep a thermometer, antihistamines, aspirin, tweezers, gauze, medical tape, and hydrogen peroxide in the first aid kit. Even in a serious emergency, the items in the kit can help buy some time while waiting for an ambulance.
Disaster Kit
While you may not use it often, it’s a good idea to keep a disaster kit in the home. A disaster kit contains items that will help you in a power outage or storm that causes you to take shelter. Keep flashlights, extra batteries, a cordless radio, non-perishable food, bottles of water, lighters, a camping stove, and a phone charger battery bank in the kit. If any family members or pets have specific needs like medications, remember to keep a stash of them in the disaster kit too.
Window Ladders are Home Safety Essentials
If your home has more than one story, keep a window ladder in each upstairs bedroom. In case of a fire, you’ll want to have multiple safe ways to exit the house in case one is blocked. Window ladders hook onto window ledges and roll down to the ground below. Measure the distance from the window to the ground to buy the correct size. Then practice using them so that you don’t have to try them for the first time during an emergency.
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