Your home is your oasis and, as such, it should be a place where you feel safe and secure. Home security is a prime issue of concern because it’s not just about your financial safety but much more than that. Protecting yourself and your loved ones should be your number one priority in your life. I have complied some ideas on how to deal with some of the most common concerns homeowners are facing today.
Detect Your Detectors
Smoke and CO2 detectors are one of the most important items in your home when it comes to your family’s safety. These early warning devices may help alert your family to fire and dangerous smoke, but they need to be periodically tested to help ensure proper function.
That’s why, you should always make sure that your smoke detectors have fresh batteries and are working properly. Not all smoke detectors are the same, so checking the manufacturer’s instructions is the best way to find the proper method of testing. Generally speaking, most battery-powered and hardwired smoke detectors can be tested with these easy 3 steps. (Click here for steps)
Secure Your Security System
The importance of home security system can’t be denied in today’s crime-ridden society. In the past decades home security systems have come a long way. Today, home security systems do more than just protect a home from intruders. Some systems have the ability to control the lights in your home from a tap on your smart phone, as well as having the ability to call emergency responders on your behalf.
If you have a home security system, make sure that you do not share your passcode with anyone other than the members of your home. If the security system was already installed prior to you purchasing your home, have the code changed as a precaution. It is a crucial step to make to unsure that your home is safe from intruders. Just as you would change the locks on a regular door, a security system is the same.
Keep Clear
Many people get seriously injured each year because of a fall in their home. 9 times out of 10 it is an accident that can be avoided. Make sure that when you arrange your furniture and belongs that it is easy to move around; this allows easy walking paths. Be especially careful about where you put low items, or trailing electric wires. This be hazardous to you or anyone else that may trip over it. A safe way to avoid exposed wires would be to tape them to the ground or arrange them as far out of the walking path that you can.
There are multiple areas in your home that should be kept clear at all times. Such as, the staircases and passageways — make sure they are kept clutter free, dry and that there are no loose rugs on the tops or bottoms of the stairs. Always install stable and sturdy railings on both sides of the stairs to assist children or elderly people when using.
Source: Kincaid, Jen: “How to Test Your Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarms.” blog.allstate.com/test-smoke-detectors | Web blog post: theAllstateBlog. 12 January, 2015
