When we think of home, we think of both physical and psychological shelter. We want to go there and relax, free of everyday worries, and just spend some quality time with our families, and it never occurs to us that there are hazards that lurk. To give you a simple number, over 2500 people die annually due to home fires, and when we include all the other hazards, that number goes way up. So, we have made an all-encompassing guide that will provide you with some tips about safety, and, hopefully, help you improve the overall safety of your home.

Fire

Most of the fires start in the kitchen, mostly because people leave their appliances unattended for a prolonged periods of time. About 7 people die each day in home fires. The fire is extremely fast, and it only needs about 30 seconds to completely destroy a room. The thick smoke and toxic flames it produces kill more people than the actual heat of the fire. This is why it is extremely important to react quickly and appropriately. Burning oil in a frying pan cannot be put out with water, only with a fire extinguisher, and that is why you should always have at least one in your house, especially in the kitchen. Smoke detectors are of crucial importance as they will notify all the occupants and give you enough time to react or evacuate. Smoke or carbon-monoxide detectors should be placed in the bedrooms, hallways, and kitchens. In some countries, new regulations require that all new houses must have a sprinkler system installed. This can totally suppress fire, or give you enough time to rescue yourself, children and the elderly, and call for help.

Electricity

We take electricity for granted, and the consequences of it cannot be seen until it is too late. Electric shocks can knock you unconscious, or slow down and stop your heartbeat and cause burns. If you have small children, it is of the essence to prevent them from sticking anything into electric sockets. Never use any appliances that were not approved for your country, and do not use any appliances near bathtubs or sinks. Do not make any electrical repairs, but if you absolutely have to, turn off the circuit breakers or make sure that there is no danger. Always hire a professional to do this sort of repairs and installations for you, as you are not trained to deal with these sort of situations. If there is an incident, do not touch anyone who has been electrocuted without shutting off all the power sources first. Check all the electrical installations regularly and make sure that they are safe for use and not showing any signs of damage.

Burglary

Making sure that your house safety is not only limited to fires, electricity and water incidents, but it also includes making sure that your property, and its occupants, are safe from any form of intrusion. There is a burglary happening every 14 seconds in the US, and that is why we recommend that you take actions against it. Installing special sensors that can detect movement (such as a passive infrared sensor) could alert you of any intrusion, and this can be very important. Glass break sensors can also be used, as they are set to detect special vibrations that are produced when a window is broken. This all will activate the alarm which will act as a deterrent, scaring off the intruder, but will also serve to notify you and your family as well as the authorities. Activate the alarm when you are sleeping, and especially when you are away, and make sure to regularly check that the sensors are working properly. Again, make sure to hire a professional company that specializes in home and business security.

Of course, the list doesn’t end here. There are many more safety tips if you have small children or the elderly in your home. Special attention must be given to security measures for them, as they can be unable to properly react in the case of emergency. The best advice that we could give you is not to take these things lightly. If these accidents happen, it will be too late, and that is why you must be prepared. Do thorough research and try to find a professional opinion about how you can improve the safety of your home and making life easier for you and your family.