While it would certainly be nice to be able to always assume the best about everybody and everything, reality paints a much different picture. The truth is that emergencies happen, danger lurks all around and some people just aren’t very nice. And this is why it’s important to always be prepared. An old adage says, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Nothing could really be more true. And that’s especially the case with home safety. By putting just a few simple and relatively inexpensive safety measures in place, you can always be prepared for the worst. Even if life is good and nothing ever goes wrong, you’ll sleep better at night just knowing you have the following five items on hand.
1. A smoke detector
God forbid there was ever a fire in your home, you would want to know about it, right? Every year, nearly 4,000 Americans die in house fires and roughly half that many people suffer severe injuries for the same reason. Most fire-related deaths and injuries occur because people weren’t able to get out of their house in time. Rather than risking your life and the lives of others you love, it’s wise to buy and install a reliable smoke detector in your home. Since smoke almost always precedes fire, a smoke detector will let you know that danger is imminent before your house goes up in flames.
2. A carbon monoxide detector
Just as dangerous as the possibility of your house burning up is the possibility of a carbon monoxide leak in your home. Central heating systems, water heaters and open fires that use gas, oil, coal and wood are among the potential spreaders of carbon monoxide in your home. When people inhale carbon monoxide, it’s lethal and typically results in death within a matter of just a few minutes. The way to avoid this risk is to simply install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. If there’s ever a CO leak, you’ll be thankful you did.
3. Flashlights (with batteries)
OK, this one seems like a no-brainer, right? However, plenty of homeowners go to sleep at night without a flashlight. But what if there’s a power outage and you can’t see how to get from the bed to the bathroom? The last thing you want to do is stumble and fall, risking injury to yourself and the possibility of waking up the whole family. One of the best things you can do is keep a flashlight stocked with fresh batteries sitting beside your bed each night. Sure, you probably have a cell phone that gives off light, but it’s not going to be as helpful as an old-fashioned flashlight.
4. A fire extinguisher
It’s important to keep in mind here that different types of fire extinguishers are created for different types of fires. For example, CO2 extinguishers work to put out fires triggered by an issue with electrical equipment. Water fire extinguishers, meanwhile, don’t eliminate or subdue electrical fires. However, these kind of extinguishers are good for controlling fires involving organic solid materials such as wood, cloth, paper, fabric and plastics. Your best bet is to research the different kinds of fire extinguishers and buy the one that’s suitable for each kind of fire. They’ll cost you a few bucks, but they might save your life or your home.
5. A home security system
Sadly, break-ins still occur, and they usually happen when the homeowner isn’t around. To all but ensure this doesn’t happen (or at least ensure the burglar gets caught), you should invest in a home security system. While this is likely going to cost you more than the other home safety items on this list, it’s just as important. For your convenience, here’s a list of the best home security systems in 2021. Check it out and see which system will work best and be the most affordable for you and your family.
Final Thoughts
No matter where you live or how long you’ve lived there, it’s important to make home safety a priority. After all, there’s nothing more valuable than your home, so why not do everything you possibly can to make it a safe place? At Fairway of the Carolinas, we’re here to answer any questions you have about home safety and put you on the road toward a great home purchase or refinance. Contact us today or leave a comment below. We look forward to serving you!
