You and your family spend the majority of your time inside your home so it is important that you turn it into a place that feels safe, comfortable and joyful for everyone that lives in it. Improving safety at home does not have to be expensive or complicated and this certainly does not have to be a role limited to grownups. Even children can participate in making your home conducive for relaxing and making happy memories. Here are 4 practical ways for you to improve the security of your family at home.
Learn Proper Emergency Responses
Keeping your family safe doesn’t just involve investing in expensive security equipment. Basic knowledge like knowing how to respond to emergency situations can be all it takes to make your family safe and secure. Take time to learn first aid and assemble a first aid kit that responsible members of the family can easily access. Teach your children how they can keep safe in the event of an earthquake by identifying sturdy tables in your home that they can hide under. Equally important, make sure everyone in your household has access to the contact numbers of your local fire department, police force, pest control, poison control and landlord if you live in a rented space. Keep a master list of these emergency contacts in accessible areas like near the telephone and on the refrigerator door.
Teach Children to Store Away Toys
Keeping your home safe requires the concerted effort of each member of your household. Even your children can help keep your house safe by being responsible with their toys. Keep a designated area in your home where children can play and make sure this area has storage bins and boxes where your kids can put their toys when playtime is over. Toys scattered around the house are not only messy to look at; but they can also be dangerous. Imagine tripping on a toy train on your way down the stairs or accidentally stepping on a lego, all because your children cannot be bothered to clean up their toys. Furthermore, by teaching your children to be careful and involved at a young age, you help them grow into vigilant, proactive and responsible adults.
Lock Away Hazardous Substances and Equipment
Be extra careful about the substances you keep at home. Poisoning is a very serious concern for parents in fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two children die each day from it. Some seemingly harmless products you keep at home can actually be very dangerous to curious children if they accidentally ingest it. These products include personal care products like mouthwash, aftershave, razors and medication. Prevent poisoning by storing these products in a locked cabinet that is out of reach to your children. Store them as soon as you are done using them and do not leave them lying around the house. Finally, make sure you know the number of your local poison control center so you can contact them in case of poison-related incidents.
Baby-Proof Your Home
You need to take safety to the next level if you have a baby on the way. Baby-proofing your home ensures that it is safe for the newest addition to your family and it gives you peace of mind when you leave your baby with a sitter even for a short period of time. Some common baby-proofing tips include covering sharp edges of furniture with safety padding, fastening shelves and electronic devices like television on the wall and installing locks on all cabinets within your child’s level. This last bit can be a bit of a hassle especially if you misplace your keys but you can resolve this by keeping all your keys in a designated area. To prepare for the worst case scenario, you can invest on a invest on a lock pick gun but make sure you keep it in a safe place that children cannot access.
