Home Safety Risks to Know & Tips to Keep Your Family Safe

A high-tech home equipped with the most luxurious amenities is a dream come true. However, it’s always a good idea to take a few minutes to identify potential risks to help keep your family safe.

9 Essential Home Safety Tips to Protect Your Family 

Here are a few home safety risks and tips to help improve your home’s safety.

1. Prioritize Stair Safety

Everyone loves a large, grand entryway with spiraling stairs that climb into the ceiling. However, the more stairs in the home, the greater the risk of falls. Add non-slip stair rugs to each stair to provide extra grip. Check often that handrails are secured tightly to provide assistance.

If you have children in the home, make sure to place gates at the entrance and exit. Stair lights or a large overhead light can provide better visibility when using the stairs.

2. Keep Cleaning Products Safety Secured

Children who gain access to cleaning products are at risk of poisoning. Many parents are unaware of the dangers of some of the most commonly used household products.

In addition to keeping the home’s cleaning products stored away, consider adding a lock to the cabinet. Storing items in a temperature-controlled garage or basement at a higher level can also help keep young children safe.

3. Identify Drowning Risks

Younger children are at risk of drowning, making it important to review your home for any potential drowning risks. If you have a swimming pool, make sure you have the proper safety precautions in place. If the pool is secured by a gate, try to keep the gate locked when the pool is not in use. Pool monitors or cameras in the pool’s vicinity can also tell you when someone is near the pool. Don’t forget to also secure smaller bodies of water, including spas.

The problem with swimming pools, however, is that while you can secure yours, you can’t always control how safe the pools of your neighbors are. Teach your children the risks of using a person’s pool unsupervised. 

If neighbors fail to maintain safe pool enclosures, consider notifying your local police department. The state and city in which you live will determine who to notify. Additionally, legal services can be helpful if a neighbor’s negligence causes harm to your child. Legal eligibility will also depend on location. For example, those in the Chicago area might benefit from the services of a Chicago drowning accident lawyer.

4. Remove the Risk of Fire Hazards

Fire hazards can be found in every home. Minimize the potential damage of a fire by carefully placing fire and smoke detectors in each room in the house. Additionally, check these detectors every few months to ensure they’re working properly, and replace as needed.

Additionally, while fires are most common in the kitchen, it’s important to note that this isn’t the only place that they can occur. Fires can happen in the bathroom due to a left on hair appliance or in the bedroom after leaving a candle burning. 

Make sure the family has a fire safety plan, too. This may include having fire extinguishers on every level of the home or determining how and where to go in case you need to evacuate. Also, be sure to complete a home safety checklist to identify fire hazard risks in your home.

5. Automotive Safety

There’s no argument that riding in some of the fastest and most luxurious cars in the world promises excitement, but it’s necessary also to keep safety in mind. Make it a priority to always use seat belts, whether commuting to work or the gas station at the end of the road. Avoid drinking and driving or driving while under the influence of drugs.

6. HVAC Safety

Your household relies on the HVAC system to efficiently cool or heat the home. However, it can also pose some ventilation or electrical risks. Routine maintenance and cleaning are important to ensure your HVAC system is safe.

7. Stay On Top of Garage Safety

Garages can also present a few safety risks in the household. Make sure the garage has sufficient ventilation. Check the garage doors regularly and schedule repairs as needed. Keep loose items and tools securely stored in the garage, especially if young children can easily access the room. Avoid using toxic chemicals in the garage.

8. Don’t Forget About Bathroom Safety

Many families underestimate the risks of the bathroom. Of course, the most obvious risk is drowning. However, bathrooms also present the risk of electrocution, especially if appliances are placed near the sink. Slips and falls are also common in bathrooms, especially when shower mats or non-slip bathroom rugs aren’t used.

9. Basement Safety

Don’t forget to implement many of the same safety protocols in the basement as you did the rest of the house. The basement is similar to the garage, meaning products should be stored away from young children. Routine inspections and maintenance can also help prevent injury.

Conclusion:

Keep your home safe for everyone with these tips. Make it a habit to go through each room in the house, identify the potential risks, and then come up with a plan to remove them. Try to complete this full safety evaluation at least every couple of months to ensure your family’s overall safety.