Are You and Your Family Truly Safe?

You go out of your way to keep your family healthy and safe, but are you doing enough?

For millions and millions of parents, it seems like they’re always looking for methods to make their homes the safest environments around. That said dangers lurk both inside and outside the home that can turn a family’s lives into a nightmare.

With that in mind, here are 5 tips for 2015 to better protect you and the ones you love all living beneath one roof:

1. Security – First and foremost, how secure is your home? Do you lock your entire home’s doors (even when home during the day), windows, garage doors etc? For too many people, the answer is no. Whether you have a security system from a provider such as Texas ADT or one of the many others nationwide, they can mean the difference between safety and being a crime victim. The minute someone tries to break into your residence, residents and authorities are alerted to the security threat. You should also avoid leaving telltale signs for the public that you are away from the home, such as social media posts, leaving newspapers and mail pile up, and grass and shrubbery that is too high.
2. Kitchen – Families spend a sizable portion of their lives in the home’s kitchen, so make sure it is as clean as possible. When’s the last time you scoured the sink and stove? Do you do a good job cleaning the dishes or just rinse them off? Check the refrigerator lately? You would be amazed at how many “science projects” grow in home refrigerators across the land. Make sure you adhere to expiration dates on all foods so that you and/or your family aren’t taking chances on what you’re eating. What are you eating? Especially for those with little ones in the home, make sure their food is not only nutritious, but properly prepared to avoid choking and other health-related incidents.
3. Cabinets – Do you ever stop and take a look inside your kitchen and bathroom cabinets? When is the last time you gave them a thorough cleaning? Once again, those with little ones will want to make sure their kids can’t access things like prescription pill bottles, cleaning materials etc. If a child gets their hands on such items, it can mean disaster, especially if no one is around to provide first aid to them. Do a regular inventory of your home’s cabinets where such products are stored (they should be high enough off the ground and/or locked) so children can’t get their hands on them.
4. Walkways – While you may think that only senior citizens are at risk for falling in a home, kids and their parents suffer their share of falls too. Make sure hallways and other entry/exit points in the home are free of clutter. You should also have an exit plan in the event of a fire or home break-in that you can quickly and safely escape to get help. It is also important that all areas where people walk are well-lit, meaning nightlights etc. for evening hours.
5. Animals – Millions of American families have cats, dogs and many other furry and other kinds of friends in their homes. That being the case, make sure both your family and the pets are safe. If you have animals before your first child arrives, keep in mind that animals can be their greatest protectors, but they can also become jealous at times. Especially with dogs, make sure your little ones are safe and protected, respecting the animal just as they respect humans.

Your home should be your place of sanctuary, so take the time to review the security precautions in place, the foods you and your family eat, pets and more.

About the Author: Dave Thomas writes for a variety of websites on topics such as safety and healthcare.