How to ensure your family’s safety in a new home?
Photo by Karolina Grabowska
When you move into a new home, it’s important to take some time to make it safe for your family. The new environment may have different safety hazards than your previous home, so it’s important to be aware of these dangers and take steps to protect your loved ones. Besides, no one wants to spend time in a new home worrying about safety because that takes away from all the fun of exploring a new place. Here are eight tips to help you make sure your family is safe in your new home:
Make sure all of the outlets are covered with safety plugs
It’s important to child-proof your home as much as possible, and one way to do that is by ensuring all of the outlets are covered. For example, you can buy outlet covers that fit snugly into the outlet, or you can use tape to cover the outlets.
Collaborate with experts to address the delicate safety concerns in your new home. Consider hiring experts that perform residential inspections to ensure that your home is up to par. They’ll do an objective evaluation of your new home and address all safety concerns.
Get a security system
Security systems play a vital role in keeping your family safe. Some security systems will send an alert to your phone if there is a break-in, while others will contact the police directly. You can also control systems that monitor movement in your home from your phone that alert you if something seems suspicious.
Get to know your neighbors
One of the best ways to keep your family safe is to get to know your neighbors. Not only will they be able to keep an eye out for suspicious activity, but they can also be a great resource in an emergency. If you have young children, introduce yourself to nearby families and exchange contact information. You may consider joining a neighborhood watch program.
Put gates at the top of the stairs
If you have young children or pets, it’s important to put gates at the top of any stairs in your home. It’ll help to prevent accidents from happening. Remember that the family members aren’t aware of the new home surroundings and may not be cautious at first. Therefore, to avoid unnecessary injuries, it is best to be prepared.
Get a fire extinguisher
Every home should have a fire extinguisher, especially if you have young children. Your new home might have one already, but if not, be sure to get one as soon as possible. Besides, the family might accidentally ignite something while unpacking.
Check the smoke detectors
A working smoke detector is another essential safety item for any home. Again, your new home might already have them, but it’s always good to check and be sure. If there are none, be sure to get some and install them right away. The home might have faulty wiring that could start a fire if inspectors didn’t notice the fault.
Teach your children about stranger danger
Stranger danger is a real threat, and your children need to know how to stay safe when alone. Teach them never to open the door for a stranger, even if that person says they’re from the police or fire department. If someone comes to the door, they should always call you before opening it. And if they’re ever in a situation where they feel unsafe, they should know to call 9-1-1 right away.
Teach your children how to stay safe when they are home alone
In addition to teaching your children about stranger danger, it’s also important to have a plan in place in case they’re ever home alone and need help. Make sure they know how to reach you or another trusted adult. Teach them how and when to use the 9-1-1 system. In addition, review with them what to do if there’s ever a fire or other emergency in the home.
Bottom line
Moving to a new home is an exciting time for families, but taking some safety precautions is important to ensure everyone stays safe in the new space. By following these tips, you can rest assured that your home is a safe haven for your loved ones. The beauty is that you don’t have to spend much money and time to put these into action.