There is so much to think about for someone who is doing their best to protect their family. If there are children in your family, this is something you have often thought about. Luckily there are a lot of observances during the year that remind us to take time out from our busy lives and think about safety. Home Safety Month is in June each year. Here, we will examine some of the solutions to the top 5 hidden dangers in the home, in order to help parents keep everyone safe.
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.
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. Have all of your appliances inspected periodically.
It's crucial that you have fire extinguishers. 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.
Most people don't consider that cracks in the foundation to be dangerous but they can be. Most homeowners have not heard about radon, which next to smoking, is the second leading cause of developing deadly lung cancer. Radon is also odourless, and it is a radioactive gas that can move through the ground and seep into the home through the cracks in the foundation. 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.
It's little known how fast home fires can spread. From the time a smoke alarm sounds, your family can have as little as two minutes to escape safely before the fire spreads throughout your home. 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. Shockingly though, only 29 percent of families have ever practiced their fire escape plan, according to one of our recent surveys.
The chance of burglary is actually overlooked in many households. Many of us believe that it's not something we need to consider, but the sad truth is that every 14 seconds there is a break-in somewhere. 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; basement windows should be fitted with metal grates; 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.
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. Have all of your appliances inspected periodically.
It's crucial that you have fire extinguishers. 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.
Most people don't consider that cracks in the foundation to be dangerous but they can be. Most homeowners have not heard about radon, which next to smoking, is the second leading cause of developing deadly lung cancer. Radon is also odourless, and it is a radioactive gas that can move through the ground and seep into the home through the cracks in the foundation. 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.
It's little known how fast home fires can spread. From the time a smoke alarm sounds, your family can have as little as two minutes to escape safely before the fire spreads throughout your home. 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. Shockingly though, only 29 percent of families have ever practiced their fire escape plan, according to one of our recent surveys.
The chance of burglary is actually overlooked in many households. Many of us believe that it's not something we need to consider, but the sad truth is that every 14 seconds there is a break-in somewhere. 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; basement windows should be fitted with metal grates; 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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