Safety Items Every Home Needs To Have

Home safety is a priority for all homeowners. Accidents can occur at any time. While natural or human-made disasters are sometimes unavoidable, it is good to plan and make sure you and your loved ones are safe if an emergency happens.

Home Safety: Be Prepared

Below are safety items every homeowner needs to have in their home.

First Aid Kit – Accidents happen, and having a first aid kit is essential for every home. A basic first aid kit should be the first home safety item for your home. Ensure it contains adhesive tape, bandages, sterile gloves, scissors, gauze, antiseptic solution, tweezers, hydrocortisone cream, and an antiseptic solution.

Fire Extinguishers – Not all fires are the same. How fire is extinguished depends on what is burning. Here are the different fire extinguisher categories.

• A- Ordinary Combustibles such as paper, wood, cloth

• B- Flammable Liquids including grease, oil, paint, solvents

• C- Live Electrical Equipment such as motors, electrical panels, wiring

All home fire extinguishers should be rated for A-B-C fires. Place an extinguisher on each floor or area of the house and an additional one in the kitchen.

Smoke Detectors – This is a must-have item in the home safety plan. Fires can occur during day or night. Install smoke detectors outside each bedroom and on every floor in your home.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can kill you. Have a carbon monoxide detector installed outside the bedrooms. Test the detectors every couple of months and change the batteries annually.

Emergency Contact List – Keep an updated list of all important contacts to help you in any emergency. The local police station, fire department, poison control, and primary care doctors should be on this list. If you have pets, include the information for the closest emergency vet clinic. Keep this list in an easy-to-reach place and make sure everyone in the house, including the babysitters, knows where it is kept.

Flashlights – Have flashlights on every floor in the home where you can quickly get to them in case of power outages and severe weather. Solar-powered or rechargeable flashlights are excellent choices.

Home Security System – Have a home security system installed in your home. If possible, make sure it is connected to the fire department and the police department as well. Motion detectors, cameras, and window or door sensors are great additions to your home. Set the alarm regularly so it can be effective in case of an emergency.

Family Disaster Kit – Pack a kit with essential supplies like water, non-perishable food, cash, tools, flashlights, a first aid kit, and a battery-operated NOAA alert radio. Ensure you can grab last-minute items such as pet food, medications, and essential documents. Keep the kit in your car or somewhere safe where everyone in your family knows where to find it.

Grayson Homes

Are you concerned about home safety? Grayson Homes can design and build a home with safety and energy efficiency as priorities. Contact us at 919-578-6222 and see what we can do for you.