Top 5 ways to make your home a safer place
When it comes to feeling safe, no place in the world comes close to your home. Home is the one place that is completely yours – a sanctuary from busy days and hard times. But even in your most comfortable place lies certain dangers that can cause your home to be less safe than you may have imagined.
Luckily, making your home your comfortable once again doesn’t have to be a hassle. Check out these five great ways to make your home a safer place for your whole family.
- Choose environmentally responsible cleaning products.
If you’re reading this blog, you’re likely aware of the importance of preserving the environment. But did you know that keeping an environmentally friendly mindset can also help to make your home a safer place for you and your family?
When you choose environmentally healthy cleaning products for your home, you are not only eliminating allergens and pathogens, but you’re also committing to a product that is safer for your loved ones. Products like Method Soap are made by environmentally conscious folks who deem themselves “people against dirty.” Method is LEED certified and sources all-natural products, so they are safer for your family. Check out their whole line of eco-friendly products so you can feel safer about what is around your family.
- Be careful when it comes to renovations
If you are thinking about making home renovations, restorations, or adjustments, it is important to do your research first to ensure the safety of your family. If your home was built before 1978, lead paint is likely present. In homes built around that time, homeowners must be wary of lead-based paints under top coats on your walls. Lead can also be found in old floor varnishes used around that time. If you live in an older home, getting your home checked for lead is an essential step prior to kicking off any renovation project. After all, you don’t want to start sanding away and be left with a cloud of lead dust!
Look for professional contractors who are certified in safe lead removal. If you’re thinking about testing for lead in your home yourself be warned, the EPA has stated that at-home lead tests may not be 100% accurate.
- Trust a professional when it comes to pest control
One of the few things that can make you feel unsafe in your home just so happens to be one of the smallest things you can find in your home – bugs! Did you know that insects like roaches can carry the pathogens that cause icky diseases like salmonella?
When dealing with pests in your home it may be tempting to go the DIY route. After all, they’re only bugs. How hard can they be to eliminate? The truth is, there’s a reason there is an entire profession dedicated to pest extermination – it’s serious business. Between disease carrying roaches all the way to insects that can cause allergic reactions in children and adults alike, when it comes to pests in your home you just don’t want to mess around. That’s why it’s so important to call in pest control professionals to deal with whatever infestation you are dealing with. Some pest control companies even offer environmentally responsible treatments, so you know you’re getting a service that’s safer for your family and for the community.
Certified technicians can assess the situation, implement treatments to get rid of bugs fast, and employ preventative measures to keep them out. With professional pest control treatments, you will have one less thing to worry about and one more reason to feel safe in your home.
- Have a fire plan
Although many of us would rather not think about it, a fire in your home is a very real possibility. Home fires can spring forth from many causes including cooking accidents, improper heating elements, electrical shorts, and many others. There are so many ways a fire can start in your home, and it is imperative that your family have a fire plan in place.
Make it a monthly chore to regularly test your fire detectors in your home. Don’t wait for the alert tone to let you know that batteries need replacing–take the time to check them yourself. After all, a fire detector can’t protect your family if it isn’t working properly.
It is important to talk to your family, especially your children, about a fire evacuation plan. Teach your children what to do in the event of a fire, show them all exits from your house, and determine a meet up area if there were to be an emergency. Hopefully your routes will never need to be used, but it is imperative that you have a plan in place before you need it.
- Get serious about water temperature
The dangers of the bathtub aren’t limited to drowning. Did you know that it only takes five seconds of contact with 140-degree water to seriously scald a child? Scalding hot water can inflict as much damage as burning can, and may result in serious injury. To keep scalding accidents from happening on your watch, set your hot water heater to 120 degrees. While this is still very hot, it is under the scalding threshold and will help keep you and your family safe. Before placing your child in water, always check the temperature yourself first.
Ensuring your home is a safe place for your family is a full-time job, but when it comes to your family, nothing is too safe. With these great home safety tips, you should be well on your way to making your home a safer place for you and your loved ones to live.
