How Safe are You? How Safe is Your House? Those are two questions I ask myself on a regular basis to ensure my family remains safe. As a father of seven, I feel it is important to stay on top of things around the house, like safety or addressing something that doesn’t look too safe. As a Kidde Ambassador, I have learned to be more of a safety conscious father. Over the last year, I have helped share and teach dads and families ways to be safer around the house. With education on carbon monoxide, fire safety, and escape plans I feel we have all learned more.
This month, June, is National Safety Month, and I wanted to share a few tips for a safer home. Please take a look and make note of areas of concern in your household.
Top 20 Tips for a Safe Home
• Give young children your full and undivided attention when they are in the bathtub or around water.
• Keep the fireplace clean.
• Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms every month when you pay your mortgage/rent.
• Keep cribs clear of objects, and make sure babies sleep alone, on their backs, and in a crib every time they sleep.
• Install safety gates to keep children from falling down staircases and install window guards or stops to prevent falls from windows.
• Never leave food unattended on the stove, keep all matches and lighters out of the reach of children, and don’t place portable heaters near flammable materials.
• Keep all medicine up and away, even medicine you take every day.
• If burning candles, blow them out before leaving the room.
• If your front entrance contains decorative glass, install your security keypad in a spot that is not visible from the doorstep.
• Have a fire escape plan in effect and make sure everyone is comfortable with it. Practice monthly with your family – both day and night.
• Keep household cleaners and poisonous materials out of reach of children.
• Candles should be out of reach of children and pets, curtains and furniture. Never leave candles unattended.
• Consider installing door alarms to alert adults when a child has unexpectedly opened a door leading to a pool or hot tub.
• Place smoke alarms on each floor of your home and inside and outside of each bedroom.
• Lamps and nightlights should not touch any fabrics (bedspreads, drapes).
• Cover electrical outlets and protect children from electrical wires.
• Any firearms should be unloaded and locked away.
• Do not use unvented gas or kerosene space heaters in enclosed spaces.
• Post emergency numbers near a home phone or in a common area, so they are easy to find.
• To prevent accidental scalding, set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or the manufacturer’s recommended setting. Check the water with your wrist or elbow before giving your baby a bath.
Do you have any Tips for a Safe Home? If so leave a comment below to share.
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