Making your home as safe as possible for your family is a top priority. While you may think that major renovations are necessary to make your home safe, there are actually many small changes you can make that will have a significant impact. This blog post will discuss some of the most important minor home improvements you can make to keep your family safe.
Smoke and carbon monoxide are both dangerous substances that can quickly become deadly if not detected in time. Installing detectors in all areas of your home, near any bedrooms, and especially near an attached garage or furnace room is essential to making sure you have enough warning to evacuate safely should a fire occur.
Ensuring each window has a sturdy lock will help deter burglaries. Likewise, ensuring exterior doors are well protected with deadbolts or other locking mechanisms can go a long way toward keeping unwanted visitors out of your home.
Exterior lighting can be a deterrent for would-be criminals. Motion-sensor lights are a great option as they turn on automatically when triggered by movement, alerting anyone in the vicinity that someone is approaching your home.
The bathroom can be a dangerous area of the home if it’s not adequately prepared for falls. Installing grab bars and non-slip mats near showers, tubs, and toilets can help prevent slips and falls, which can result in serious injury or death.
Unsecured furniture can easily topple over onto small children or unsuspecting adults if it’s not secured properly. Securing furniture to wall studs with straps or brackets will ensure that it remains in place and will not potentially cause serious harm if someone bumps into it.
Most burglaries are crimes of opportunity and can be prevented with the installation of a home security system. Alarm systems provide an audible alert when someone enters your home, which can scare away intruders as well as notify authorities of any potential threat.
Having one or more fire extinguishers throughout your home is essential for putting out small fires before they spiral out of control. Ensure you have an appropriate number of extinguishers for the size of your home and that each one is properly inspected and ready for use if needed.
Loose railings can easily cause falls, particularly on stairs. Inspect your staircase regularly and make small tweaks or repairs to ensure it is safe for anyone who might use it. These Self Colour Key Clamp Fittings are great for securing handrails and preventing them from becoming loose again in the future.
Children, especially, can be hurt or even electrocuted if they stick their fingers in an exposed outlet. Make sure all electrical outlets have covers to prevent any potential accidents. Self-closing covers that snap shut over the outlet when not in use are ideal.
Trees can be a great addition to your home, but overgrown branches can cause severe damage to power lines, surrounding buildings, and even people. Make sure you properly trim trees with the help of an arborist or tree specialist if needed.
If your gutters are filled with debris, it can cause water to accumulate and flood your basement or crawl space. To clean your gutters, remove any leaves, sticks, or other debris before flushing them with a garden hose.
Loose flooring can pose a trip hazard for you and your family. Inspect any hardwood, tile, laminate, or vinyl floors regularly to make sure they are secured down and not in danger of loosening further. Re-sealing or re-glueing the flooring may be necessary if it’s becoming loose.
These minor changes may seem insignificant, but together they can make a big difference when it comes to keeping your family safe at home. Making sure these safety checks become a regular part of your routine will go a long way toward ensuring that everyone is protected from harm. If you have any further questions about minor renovations or other ways to improve the safety of your home, don’t hesitate to contact a professional for advice.