1. Keep Your House Locked

Yes, this sounds basic, but how often does someone forget to lock a door or close a window when they step out for a quick errand? It’s important to remember when leaving your home to lock everything and shut all curtains.

2. Rely on the Buddy System

Make sure someone you trust has the key and alarm codes for your home, just in case anything should happen when you’re not around. A neighbor or family member that has access to your home can save you a serious headache (or more) in case of an emergency.

3. Stay in the Kitchen

Cooking? Keeping an eye on what’s going on in your kitchen is one of the easiest ways to prevent a fire. Make sure you’re keeping towels, paper goods and plastics away from appliances.

4. Recognize Electrical Hazards

Electrical surges can occur when lightening is present or when appliances are switched on and off. Surges can easily be avoided by using surge protectors or simply unplugging large electrical items.

5. Post Emergency Numbers

Everyone has their “call in case of emergency” person, but what good is that number if your family doesn’t know it? Place a list of emergency numbers near every phone in your home. This way, anyone can contact help.

6. Beware of the Garage Door

A garage door is the heaviest moving item in a home; often weighing more than 300 lbs. Be sure your family knows to never walk near or under a moving garage door. Also, make sure everyone knows how to use the emergency release in case someone’s pinned under the door.

7. Keep an Eye on the Blind Chords

Looped chords used for window treatments can pose a serious strangulation threat to children. Never place a crib, sofa, or child’s bed near a window where they may be tempted to play with the blind chords.

8. Make Your Home Look Occupied

Keeping windows closed and doors locked isn’t all that you can do to protect your home from burglaries. Keep your home looking occupied by using automatic timers on lights and radios. Also, make sure that your phone ringer is turned down low enough so it cant be heard outside.

9. Keep Your Concrete in Check

Wood is not the only material that can deteriorate. With summer coming soon, make sure that pool decks and patios are free from any sort of rotting or decomposing. This could result in an expensive and dangerous situation for your family.

10. Light Up Your Nights

While seeming like such a simple thing, nightlights can prevent potential injuries around your home. Keeping lights at places like the top and bottom of stairs, in the kitchen and in the bathroom can save you from getting injured in the dark.

Article by Amanda Roesch