Home Security And Safety

Concerned that your current home security measures just aren’t up to snuff? Many people get a sudden wake up call that alerts them to the fact that they just haven’t been paying close enough attention. Often, it takes something happening either directly to the homeowner, or a friend, neighbor or loved one to really get one thinking about the state of one’s own home. In fact, of all the dangers in and around the home, intruders aren’t at the top of the list. Careless and preventable accidents are actually far more damaging and/or deadly in the great majority of cases. Here are some quick fixes that can help avoid a disaster at home.

Create an Escape Plan. Most people don’t think about how they would get out of the house during an emergency, whether it be an intruder or a house fire, until it is actually happening. While most children learn about fire safety at school, the average family never sits down all together to work out a personal safety plan. Good safety and escape plans should involve multiple exit points from each room, a meeting place outside the home, an external contact such as an out of town relative for larger or natural disaster type emergencies, and of course the necessary supplies. The necessary supplies, based on where you live, the climate and the number and nature of natural disasters, could range from a battery operated radio to a flashlight, bottled water, and of course items like fire extinguishers and fold-able safety ladders for easy escape from second story windows.

Install a Monitored Home Security System. If you don’t already have one, monitored systems can be a real lifesaver, literally. Features can be personalized to include everything from intruder protection to flood and fire protection. Panic or immediate assistance buttons can also be included in such a system that summon help remotely from anywhere in the house. These can be especially useful for individuals with limited mobility, or senior citizens living independently and/or alone. Even when you aren’t home a monitored system is connected to a group of security professionals on call 24/7 and ready to send an officer to your home at the slightest sign of trouble. There’s really no better way to keep your home safe even when you aren’t there than to have a personal, 24 hour a day assistant and team of security professionals on your side!

Don’t Leave Loose Ends. Tightening up home security and safety can be as easy as taking a walk around the house and fixing things in disrepair, or that are obvious safety concerns. Great examples are loose stair hand rails, slippery throw rugs or mats, broken kitchen appliances, raw or frayed wires, overused extension cords or adapters, broken steps, broken light bulbs, etc. Each of these simple home repairs can make a big difference when it comes to avoiding common home accidents like falls, trips, slips, and other physical accidents. If there are kids around the house, add burns, scalds, suffocation and drowning to the list. Danger areas include the kitchen, bathroom and any other location where water pools like the yard, or a swimming pool if you have one. Stay safe at home this year and in all the years that come with some simple changes made to your home’s security plan!

For most people, the biggest concerns they have about home security and safety have to do with external threats like intruders or vandals, natural disasters like floods or hurricanes, or even accidents like home fires, burns or falls. One thing people don’t usually worry about is mold, unless of course it’s the kind in the refrigerator! Unfortunately, of all the kinds of mold that can be extremely hazardous to your health, the ones growing on an old brick of cheese are far less dangerous than those that go largely unseen and not even the best home security system in the world can prevent them from harming you.

Made up of microorganisms, molds are found literally everywhere and are able to grow on just about anything. In order to grow molds require moisture, which means that surfaces that stay consistently damp like windows, bathroom, kitchen or laundry room walls, or leaky roofs are especially vulnerable. Factors that contribute to mold growth are the number of people occupying a residence and the natural climate in the area, as well as other consistent lifestyle choices like using a wood stove, using a dehumidifier, keeping a large number of plants in the home, storing wet firewood, cooking without lids on pots, taking long showers, and more. Accidents and natural disasters like a tub or washing machine overflow, or a flood can also trigger mold to grow in floors and walls. The appearance of a dangerous mold can vary greatly and will often appear to be a simple stain, specks, or in extreme cases a fuzzy growth. Common colors include black, white, orange, green and brown.

If mold is so common, many homeowners ask, then how is it possible to know if it is bad enough to be a home security and safety concern? Any amount of mold, even a small amount can cause physical symptoms like infections, allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues, so ideally a homeowner will detect a problem before reaching such a state. One way to catch a problem early is to do regular home self-inspections of certain trouble areas. Examples include checking for plumbing or roof leaks, detecting damp or musty odors coming from carpets or walls, spotting visible signs of water damage, and even revising stored items on a regular basis. Complete home testing kits are also available for those still in doubt after an initial self-inspection.

After cleaning an item, how can a person know if it’s safe to use again or a permanent home security concern? The basic rule of thumb states that any layered fabric-like item should be thrown away. While a blanket, curtains or clothing can often be washed with a strong detergent or bleach, items like carpet and especially mattresses cannot ever be properly cleaned. While cleaning moldy items, remember to always use protective safety gear like rubber gloves, goggles, long sleeves and pants, and a safety mask or respirator like an N-95 respirator. Contact a professional to do an environmental inspection if signs or symptoms of mold continue to diminish your home security, health and safety after cleaning.

Each year, many accidents which result in serious injury or death occur in a very surprising place, right in the home. Although many of these accidents are preventable with some good home security and safety tips, many people simply aren’t aware of what they can do to prevent accidents like slips, trips and falls. Many such falls occur while performing routine chores and housework. People use ladders around the house for many reasons from painting to repairs, putting up the Christmas lights, cleaning the gutters and more. The next time you use a ladder around the home, keep these important home security tips in mind.

Is a ladder the right tool for the job? Often, ladder accidents occur because they are being used as scaffolding or working platforms, instead of as ladders. If you are doing a hefty repair job or paint job that regularly requires two hands, it is likely far safer to put up scaffolding or a working platform until the job is done.

Is the ladder in good condition? Many ladders sit around for long periods of time between uses. This can be especially dangerous for older ladders, wooden ladders that may rot or crack, or metal ladders than may rust. Check that all parts are secure and intact before ever climbing a ladder. If in doubt, consult a professional or purchase a new ladder before starting. Look out for safety information posted on the ladder, and always read the directions before beginning a project. Seriously! The instructions given may just surprise you by providing information you weren’t aware of that could prevent a deadly home security and safety accident.

Is the ladder set up properly? Ladders can easily tip or slip due to improper set up. Always use slip-resistant feet on your ladder, and have a second party hold the ladder. Never use a ladder when alone if at all avoidable. If absolutely necessary, experienced ladder users may consider substituting sandbags or another barricade secured to the ground which the ladder feet rest against. Always rest a ladder only on firm, level ground, and keep in mind the 4 to 1 rule: a ladder should be out 2 meter at the base for every four meters in height. To ensure stability, it may be necessary to tie the ladder to a stable source close to the top to prevent movement. A proper ladder for the job should extend a least a meter above the point where you are attempting to reach.

Are you positioned properly on the ladder? A good rule of thumb is to keep your ‘belt buckle between ladder uprights at all times,’ in other words, stay centered. Leaning too far sideways can lead to a nasty fall. Also remember the rule of “three” for good ladder safety and home security while working: always maintain three points of contact with the ladder. Generally the recommended combination is two feet and a hand, or two hands and a foot. At some point it is likely two hands will be required, so substitute a shoulder, thigh, or the torso until the second hand’s contact can be reestablished. Finally, never climb above the third step down from the top of a straight ladder, as this will likely cause tipping.