Home Safety Tips

Is your home safe? Do you sleep soundly at night knowing that everything will be fine? Well, think again.
Every house is the everybody’s comfort zone, but this haven people seek for refuge can be a box full of accidents waiting to happen. Here are some helpful tips that can help you make a safe home.

STRUCTURAL CHECK-UP

Start with the house, the structure is the most important thing to inspect. Old houses need a lot of attention when it comes to structural inspection. This is necessary because homeowners should make sure that their home can withstand natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes.

· Always check for cracks on the wall, squeaks on the wooden floor and water leaks from the ceiling, upon discovering such damages immediately call authorized and experienced repairmen to do the job.
· For reliable recommendations, hire an expert such as a licensed engineer or an architect or ask the local building inspector who can examine the structure of the house, do this at least once a year.
·Repair immediately the damages caused by previous disasters.
· If your are living in a building or an apartment unit, always consult your landlord/building operator about damages and make sure that he/she conducts structural inspection.

ELECTRICAL/GAS INSPECTION

One of the most important things to check inside the house is the electrical wiring and gas tank/pipes. Faulty wire connections and worn-out gas pipes are fire accidents waiting to happen.

· Make sure all old and new appliances are installed properly as indicated in the manual.
· Always turn off the gas tank whenever leaving the house.
· Unplug all electrical appliances when leaving your home.
· Check all gas pipes and electrical lines in your home. Inspect the main switch (breaker), check the fuse and change it regularly. If you smell a gas leak, immediately call the gas company or the fire department.
· Ask the local fire department and electricians for safety tips.

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

If ever an accident/disaster strikes the house, always make sure that you are ready for any emergency that might occur. It is best to store emergency equipment inside and outside the household.

· Secure emergency equipment, kits for storm disasters and first aid kits for medical emergencies.
· Position all emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers and other kits around the house in the most accessible areas.
· Fire extinguishers should be replaced in a period of time, always check the expiration date on the tank and the manufacturers offer the services needed for the replacement.
·It is better to call the local fire department for inspection and proper safety rules on fire-related incidents.
· Make a list of emergency hotlines or better yet put it on speed dial in your telephone.

SECURITY

To push away unwanted guests in your home, you should always be prepared. Protect your home with the right equipment and precautions.

· Always lock all doors and the windows when leaving your home.
· Regularly check all door and window locks.
· A security system will ensure proper defense from unwelcome guests.
· Put all valuable belongings in a safe or any place that is inaccessible to others.
· Consult the local police for safety precautions.
· Make a list of emergency hotlines or better yet put it on speed dial in your telephone.

A KID-FRIENDLY HOME

If you have kids in the house it is important that you keep them safe, remember that home accidents is more frequent than outdoor ones.

· Try to put safety equipment around the house such as stair gates, plastic plugs for electrical outlets, rubber mats in the bathroom, doorstoppers, etc.
· Put all dangerous materials (liquid chemicals, flammable materials, etc.) and tools (knives, carpentry tools, etc.) out from the reach of children.
· Always lock the doors and windows.
· Make sure that all breakables like vases and lamps are placed on sturdy tables and closed cabinets.
· Put away all small electrical appliances like hair dryer, vacuum or any device that children can simply operate in a closed cabinet.
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