Safe as Houses: Home Safety Tips for Secure Living

In today’s ever increasing complex and busy world, ensuring safety at home has become more paramount than ever. From gas and electrical safety to making your home secure against potential intruders, there’s a lot to consider. Luckily, we have compiled a comprehensive guide that covers all this and more. So read on and let’s get your home as safe as houses.

1. Gas Safety

Gas appliances play a vital role in our daily lives, powering our central heating, hot water, and cooking appliances. However, ill-maintained gas appliances can pose serious risks like gas leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Firstly, always use a Gas Safe registered engineer for any installation or maintenance work. Regular annual inspections are key to ensuring your gas appliances are safe and function effectively. For added safety, install a carbon monoxide alarm to alert you to the presence of this silent, odourless but deadly gas. Remember, symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning often mimic common ailments and include headaches, nausea, and fatigue.

1. Electrical Safety

From lighting to entertainment, electricity is the lifeblood of modern homes. It’s crucial to ensure all your electrical systems and appliances are safe and meet the correct standards.

Always use a registered electrician for any major electrical work. Regularly check plugs, sockets and cables for any signs of damage or fraying. Overloading sockets can lead to fires, so it’s important to avoid using extension leads or adaptors excessively. Remember, water and electricity don’t mix – keep electrical appliances away from baths and sinks.

1. Intruder Security

A secure home is a happy home. Consider investing in a robust alarm system – these act as a strong deterrent for would-be intruders. Reinforced doors and windows add another level of security. CCTV cameras can provide additional peace of mind, especially with current models that allow remote viewing via smartphone apps.

1. Smoke Alarms

When it comes to fire safety, prevention is always better than cure. Ensure that smoke alarms are installed on every floor of your home and test them regularly. In case of a fire, a working smoke alarm can buy you precious time to escape.

1. Carbon Monoxide Alarms

A carbon monoxide alarm is a small device that alerts you to the presence of carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that can be produced by faulty gas appliances. It’s tasteless, odourless, and invisible, making it difficult to detect without an alarm.

1. Water Safety

From preventing leaks to maintaining water quality, water safety is crucial. Regularly inspect your home’s pipework for leaks and keep your home’s plumbing system maintained to avoid unexpected bursts.

1. Child Safety

Children are curious by nature and can often find themselves in potentially dangerous situations. Use safety gates to block off stairs, fit window locks and restrictors to prevent falls, and use socket covers to protect against electrical shocks. Also, ensure medicines and cleaning supplies are stored securely out of their reach.

1. Safe Storage

Safe storage of potentially hazardous items can significantly increase the safety of your home. Things such as sharp tools, cleaning chemicals, and flammable substances should be stored out of reach of children, ideally in a locked cabinet.

1. Preparing for natural disasters

Whilst the UK is not particularly prone to severe natural disasters, events such as floods, storms, and heatwaves can and do occur. It’s prudent to have a basic plan in place to deal with these events. Make sure your home has sufficient insurance coverage to protect against damage caused by such disasters.

Keep an emergency kit on hand, stocked with necessities such as bottled water, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies, torches, and batteries. For flooding specifically, it can be beneficial to ensure your home has effective drainage and where necessary invest in some sandbags.

1. Internet Safety

In our increasingly digital age, protecting your home also means safeguarding your online presence. Cybersecurity is vital to prevent intrusions into your personal life and potential theft of sensitive information. Always ensure your Wi-Fi network is secure, employing a robust, unique password. Regularly update your devices and install a reliable antivirus software.

Remember to be mindful of what you share online, especially on social media. Information about your whereabouts or your home can be used maliciously if it falls into the wrong hands. Teach children about the importance of online privacy and the basics of safe internet use. A good tip is to avoid posting holiday pics on social media until after you return.

1. Home Fire Plan

A home fire can be an incredibly daunting prospect, but being prepared can dramatically increase the safety of you and your family. Establishing a home fire plan is key. Start by identifying two escape routes from each room, ensuring that windows and doors are easy to open.

Consider any specific needs of your household members, like mobility issues, and plan accordingly. It’s especially important to educate children about what to do in case of a fire and how to escape safely. Regularly practise your fire drill, aiming to evacuate your home in less than two minutes.

Once outside, designate a safe meeting place away from the house where everyone can regroup. This enables you to quickly ascertain that everyone is safe. In the event of a fire, always remember – ‘Get out, stay out, and call 999’.

Safety at home might seem daunting, but by taking small, regular steps, you can ensure your home is as safe as houses. After all, your home should be a haven, a place where you and your family feel most secure.