How Safe Is Your Home?

Home is a place where we spend most of our spare time. A place where families sit together, enjoy each others company, a place to relax, a place to cosy up and shut the outside world out after a hard day at work! But how safe are our homes? The home contains all of the people we love the most in our lives, so we need to make sure that everyone’s safety is paramount. Here are a few biggies that should be put in place.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

One of the most important life-saving devices you can have in your home is a Carbon Monoxide Alarm. Carbon monoxide is odourless, colourless and tasteless so there is no way that you would detect it before it is too late. These essential alarms cost as little as £10.

Fire Alarms

Make sure you have fire alarms put in place. There are local services that will come and install them for you if you can’t do it yourself. If you have battery-powered ones, keep them maintained and give regular checks on them.
Another option would be to have fire doors fitted. Many buildings, including any home over two stories and any HMO, need to have fire doors fitted as a legal requirement.

Appropriate Flooring

Badly fitted flooring can be lethal. When we moved into our house the stair carpet was treacherous. The pile had almost worn away giving no grip whatsoever and it was poorly fitted. The carpet was literally hanging on to the stairs by staples! It really was an accident waiting to happen. Wet floors can be a slip hazard. There are many anti-slip solutions available now for areas of the home that are consistently slippery.

Child Safety

Since having my own children, I am aware of all of the potential hazards in the home that could harm little ones. I have taken all measures to ensure my kids are as safe as can be. From corner protectors to stop little heads being bumped on hard surfaces,  socket covers to stop curious little hands messing, safety gates, child locks on drawers with sharp knives in and cupboards that store chemicals (after drinking bleach as a toddler, I am over cautious with this one) cooker guard, kettle out of reach and so many more.
Spills are also common when a household has children running around. This can be dangerous because it causes slips and may cause hazardous liquids to get in the hands of children. Learn more about chemical cabinets in Australia.

Avoiding Electrical Hazards

Appliances should always be turned off overnight wherever possible. Dishwashers can spring a leak overnight causing flooding, it could also spray water onto electrical components inside the machine, this can then result in a fire. Tumble dryers need to have the lint cleaned out regularly, any lint remaining in the machine could work its way round to the heating element, resulting in a fire. Any damaged flex cables need to be replaced as soon as possible, irons, hairdryers, straighteners and vacuum cleaners should have the cables inspected regularly and never used if any damage is apparent.
Batteries are also a risk if not stored properly. Consider getting a fireproof lithium battery container in Australia if you want to protect your property from electrical hazards

Secure Windows

Windows are a constant danger in the home. So many little ones have fallen through open windows with horrid consequences. Always make sure that your windows are securely locked. Most modern window fasteners have night lock facilities so they can be locked in a partially open position, this is not only perfect to prevent falls but also prevents burglaries when you have to pop out.

Get A Guard

Open fires are a beautiful focal point in any living room but it is essential that the correct guards are securely fitted to prevent both hot coals or logs from getting out and inquisitive little ones getting in. Of course not only can open fires be a danger of burns, but radiators and heaters should also be fitted with guards.