Ensuring Safety with these Home Emergency Devices

 Entry #2535, June 18, 2013

When you finally purchase a home safety is a big concern and you’ll discover that there is a certain amount of pride and accomplishment wrapped up in the process. But you’ll also find that your worries multiply. When you rent a property, you are certainly responsible for keeping the place clean and trying not to cause any damage. But you don’t put a lot into it because you know you’re not going to get any real value out of improvements you make during your lease. When you own a home, on the other hand, every upgrade is not only for your own benefit, but it also has the chance to increase your return on investment. The other side of the coin is that anything that happens to your home in the way of damage stands to devalue your investment. And of course, you want to see to the safety and security of not only your property, but your family, as well. So here are just a few essential safety items that you should consider adding to your property.

What safety devices do you need in your home?

Image via: Martinkovic Milford Architects

1. First aid kit.

Strictly speaking, this won’t protect your home, but having a first aid kit on hand can certainly come in handy when it comes to delivering temporary medical care to anyone injured on your property. This kit should include Band-Aids, gauze (plus scissors and tape), antiseptic, styptic powder, ipecac (in case poisonous substances are swallowed), aspirin, tweezers, a thermometer, and perhaps even a first aid instructional guide of some sort. The American Red Cross advises adding some kind of face mask (for protection during CPR) and rubber gloves. You should also include a list of relevant phone numbers for your area, such as a nurse hotline, your family physician, the local fire and police, and so on.

2. Home alarm system.

Even in areas that enjoy very little crime it’s not a bad idea to ensure early warning in the case of home intrusion. An alarm system can help to protect not only the valuables in your home, but your most valuable asset of all: your family. And with smarthome options from companies like Vivint and ADT, you can control the alarm system, as well as lighting, thermostat, and even electronics remotely from your smartphone or tablet, making the house look lived-in even while you’re away on vacation.

3. CO2 – Carbon Monoxide detector.

Carbon monoxide is often called the silent killer because it is a colorless, odorless gas produced by common household appliances like the furnace, not to mention your car. The point is that you’ll never know it’s there unless you have a CO2 detector to warn you when levels in your home become dangerously high.

4. Smoke detectors.

Perhaps even more dangerous than carbon monoxide is fire, which can take both your family and your home in one stroke. So installing smoke detectors in every room is of the utmost importance. However, you also need to make sure that they’re functioning properly. It’s best to swap out the alkaline batteries every six months, so you might want to do when the time changes in spring and fall as an easy way to remember.

Ensure your home is kept safe

Image via:  Applegate Tran Interiors

5. Fire extinguisher.

In addition to the warning provided by smoke detectors, you should have a way to put out any fires in your house. This is especially important in the kitchen or other areas where fires are more likely to occur. But you should also place them along escape routes (staircases and doors, for example) to ensure that your family can escape in the event of an unstoppable blaze.

For more emergency preparedness on Stagetecture, click here.