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. There are observances throughout the year that help us to remember to keep safety considerations high on our list of priorities. One example is that June is Home Safety Month. For all you fellow parents out there, here are what I believe to be the top five hidden home dangers, along with my stay-safe solutions.
Invisible and deadly, carbon monoxide is the silent killer. It is invisible and has no odour, and it is actually the leading cause of accidental poisonings. This gas can be produced in many ways, from a car running in a garage seeping into the home, to fireplaces, and also appliances that are malfunctioning.
Carbon monoxide alarms are the only way to detect carbon monoxide. Each level of the home should have an alarm installed, especially outside the sleeping areas, and don't forget one for the basement. Check with your fire department to see what local and state laws require in terms of placement. Your home appliances should all be inspected on a regular basis.
Your home must have fire extinguishers. Fires in the home are most often caused by cooking unattended, so don't leave food on the stove and walk away, always keep an eye on the oven when using it, and be sure that there is nothing near the range that could cause a fire.
Most people don't consider that cracks in the foundation to be dangerous but they can be. If you're like many homeowners, you're probably unfamiliar with radon: the second leading cause of lung cancer (behind smoking). 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. If a home has no basement, it's no guarantee that radon isn't present, since it can seep into the house through construction joints or service pipes connected to the home.
It's invisible and has no scent, but it can be tested for with a kit that can be purchased.
The speed that fires can spread in the home is very fast, and most people aren't aware of this. If a smoke alarm is beeping, there can sometimes be only around 2 minutes to get your family together and exit the home before it spreads too far to exit safely. The smoke alarm will typically provide you with some time to escape, but you must also have a plan for your family to follow in such an emergency. In a recent survey, it was indicated that only 29 percent of families have gone over their emergency exit strategy.
Home theft is something that's frequently overlooked. You might think it'll never happen to you, but the reality is that a home is broken into every 14 seconds. There are basic ways to deter burglars from getting inside your home: install solid core entry doors with sturdy deadbolt locks; entries to the home should be well-lit; install metal grates over basement windows; also, bushes outside the home should be neatly groomed to reduce hiding places. If you have a safe, this will set your mind at ease knowing that your most important items are secure.
Invisible and deadly, carbon monoxide is the silent killer. It is invisible and has no odour, and it is actually the leading cause of accidental poisonings. This gas can be produced in many ways, from a car running in a garage seeping into the home, to fireplaces, and also appliances that are malfunctioning.
Carbon monoxide alarms are the only way to detect carbon monoxide. Each level of the home should have an alarm installed, especially outside the sleeping areas, and don't forget one for the basement. Check with your fire department to see what local and state laws require in terms of placement. Your home appliances should all be inspected on a regular basis.
Your home must have fire extinguishers. Fires in the home are most often caused by cooking unattended, so don't leave food on the stove and walk away, always keep an eye on the oven when using it, and be sure that there is nothing near the range that could cause a fire.
Most people don't consider that cracks in the foundation to be dangerous but they can be. If you're like many homeowners, you're probably unfamiliar with radon: the second leading cause of lung cancer (behind smoking). 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. If a home has no basement, it's no guarantee that radon isn't present, since it can seep into the house through construction joints or service pipes connected to the home.
It's invisible and has no scent, but it can be tested for with a kit that can be purchased.
The speed that fires can spread in the home is very fast, and most people aren't aware of this. If a smoke alarm is beeping, there can sometimes be only around 2 minutes to get your family together and exit the home before it spreads too far to exit safely. The smoke alarm will typically provide you with some time to escape, but you must also have a plan for your family to follow in such an emergency. In a recent survey, it was indicated that only 29 percent of families have gone over their emergency exit strategy.
Home theft is something that's frequently overlooked. You might think it'll never happen to you, but the reality is that a home is broken into every 14 seconds. There are basic ways to deter burglars from getting inside your home: install solid core entry doors with sturdy deadbolt locks; entries to the home should be well-lit; install metal grates over basement windows; also, bushes outside the home should be neatly groomed to reduce hiding places. If you have a safe, this will set your mind at ease knowing that your most important items are secure.
About the Author:
We offer the only Saskatoon Home Insurance policy that can be truly tailored to your needs. Get a quote and buy a policy online or by phone. Or watch our Home Insurance video.
Comments
Post a Comment