It’s fall, the kids are back at school, and now is a great time to make sure you have taken all precautions to keep your family – and home – safe. Here are ten essential safety items that the Icon team recommends every home have in order to be prepared for any and all disasters:
Smoke detectors. And make sure they work! Every home should have one smoke detector on each floor in addition to one outside each bedroom. Change the batteries each fall and spring when you change the clocks back for daylight savings. Test them monthly to ensure that they are in working order, and after ten years, they should all be replaced to make sure that they will function properly in case of a fire.
Carbon monoxide detectors. Much like the fire detectors, these should be installed outside each bedroom. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be very dangerous, which makes these detectors extremely valuable in protecting your family’s health and safety.
Fire extinguishers. Your house should have one in the kitchen to put our any cooking catastrophes, one on the second floor or in the master bedroom, one near any fireplaces, and preferably one in your car. Every member of the family should know how to use one, and make sure you check that they function correctly each year and replace when expired.
Fire ladder. If there are any bedrooms on the third floor, make sure they are equipped with a fire ladder that everybody knows how to use.
Evacuation plan. Speaking of a fire ladder, it is imperative that you have an evacuation or emergency plan that is reviewed with, and understood by, all family members should you need to leave the house in a hurry due to fire or any other natural disasters. Put it in writing and practice!
First aid kit. Have a first aid kit on hand – hopefully you’ll never need to use it! You can buy a pre-assembled kit or make your own. Make sure you have the following items on hand, and periodically check everything and replace what has expired:
- First aid manual
- Band aids
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Antiseptic
- Antibiotic ointment
- Benadryl
- Saline drops
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Thermometer
- Ibuprofen
- Latex gloves
- Ace bandage
- Scissors
- Safety pins
- Needle (for splinters)
Flashlights. Make sure everyone has a flash light next to their bed in the event of a power outage. Stash an extra supply of batteries so you don’t run out.
Emergency phone numbers. This list should be clearly posted for anyone in your home and should include cell phone numbers of family members, neighbors’ numbers, 911, doctors’/pediatricians’ numbers, and poison control.
A safe. This may sound crazy, but a safe not only protects important papers and valuables from burglary, but also from fire and water, should anything happen to your home. Don’t think you have anything valuable? The deed to your house, birth certificates, marriage certificates, vehicle titles, family photos, etc. would all be difficult to replace!
Outlet covers. Keep unused electrical outlets covered with safety covers – not just to protect any kids that are in the house, but to protect everyone from accidental electrical shock.
The builder-client relationship is very important to us at Icon Building Group. Each and every family that we build homes for become part of the Icon Family, and so we want to keep everyone safe and secure.
Want to become part of the Icon family? We would love to build you your dream home. Check us out at https://www.icon-group.com/ and view some of our previous builds in our Custom Homes Portfolio to see what we can do for you.