When it comes to safety at home, parents and guardians have the responsibility of safeguarding the household. Protecting your family from safety hazards means employing a proactive approach that includes educating the entire family on the importance of home safety measures.
We’ve compiled a list of 7 safety tips you should know to protect you and your family
1. Teach your children about home safety devices like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
It is important for children to understand the purpose of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in a home – such as why they are installed and how they work. Educating children to recognise the sound of a smoke and carbon monoxide detector in the event of a fire is an essential step in your home safety plan, and can assist in timeously containing a fire that has the potential to cause devastation.
2. Make sure you keep the doors locked at all times
It is important for children to understand the purpose of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in a home – such as why they are installed and how they work. Educating children to recognise the sound of a smoke and carbon monoxide detector in the event of a fire is an essential step in your home safety plan, and can assist in timeously containing a fire that has the potential to cause devastation.It’s easy to forget to lock doors when you are preoccupied, but incorporating it into yours and your family’s daily safety routine will ensure it becomes second nature. It is also important to ensure that all the locks used on the boundary walls and doors of your home are of superior quality, and are changed if they are substandard. Investing in smart locks can also help you to effectively ensure your home is secure at all times, by enabling you to lock and unlock your house remotely.
3. Unplug all electrical appliances that are not in use
Electrical appliances that are plugged in for extended periods of time can become a fire hazard. If an electrical appliance is not in use, unplug the device or turn it off at the socket. Where young children are concerned, turn off all plug points that are not in use and mask them with furniture to prevent easy access.
4. Ensure you have a working fire extinguisher
A small spark is enough to cause a catastrophic fire. Whether the result of an electrical fault, a knocked over candle or a gas leak, ensuring you have working fire extinguishers that are strategically located within your home could mean the difference between life and death. A working fire extinguisher that is easily accessible can assist in quickly extinguishing fires that have the chance to cause devastating damage. Ensure that you regularly check that your fire extinguisher is in working order and educate all members of your family on how it should be used in the event of an emergency.
5. Keep medicine in secure cabinets
Medicine of any kind should be handled with care. Ensure that medicine bottles are firmly fastened and that any strong medicine requiring a doctor written script is safely and securely locked away. According to the CDC, thousands of children end up in emergency rooms each year due to ingesting medicine they were able to get their hands on when their parents weren’t looking.
6. Have a holistic view of your home
Creating a safe home environment is not just about installing a few devices; it’s about having a holistic view that encompasses all facets of a household and involves actively learning how to plan for and mitigate potential accidents.
7. Have an instant emergency medical or security response service on hand
Having instant emergency medical or security response services like those offered by AURA available at the touch of a button can go a long way in keeping everyone in your home safe. In the event of an emergency, using GPS, the closest medical or security response unit will make their way to your exact location, arriving within minutes to offer expert assistance.
