How To Make A Home Safety Checklist

February 19, 2018 by Anas Mustafa

You take care to keep your home safe and secure (home alarm system, locking windows, doors), but did you know that there are things in your home to look out for to keep it and your family safe? Creating a home safety checklist can serve as a reminder of what you can do to prevent accidents and injuries. Below are just some examples of areas in the home that you can tackle to safeguard your home:

Whole Home

• Install carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your residence and check to ensure that they work properly every month. You’ll also want to change the batteries twice every year.
• Install smoke detectors on each level of your residence and check them each month to ensure that they’re working. Be sure to replace the batteries twice a year and replace any alarms that are older than 10 years.
• Secure cleaning supplies and other hazardous household products so that they are out of reach of children and pets.
• Replace any space heaters with models that are cool-to-the touch and that feature automatic shut-off capabilities.
• Move furniture that is near windows that open in order to prevent younger children from accidentally climbing or falling through.
• Ensure that doors leading to stairwells, basements, and balconies are shut and locked.

Electrical

• Place safety covers on electrical outlets when no one is using them.
• Use electrical cords sparingly and don’t overload them.
• Check cords and wiring and repair or replace as needed.

Kitchen

• Ensure pot handles are turned away from the edge of the stove.
• Safely store sharp objects like knives and scissors.
• Ensure that you have a working fire extinguisher.

Bathroom

• Ensure that cleaning products, personal products and medications are stored safely
• Keep electrical cords rolled up and out of the way.
• Latch toilet seats shut if you have young children at home.
• Install plugs that reset in the bathroom.
• Unplug and put away appliances like shavers and hair dryers when not in use.

In addition to a checklist, be sure to practice how to evacuate your home safely in the case of an emergency. It’s important that everyone in your family understand what to do and where to go. It can help lower panic and ensures that everyone reacts appropriately.