With so many items on their “buying a home” checklist, few homeowners take into consideration household safety, even though it should always be a top priority. While most people know that It is always advisable to take every precaution to ensure your well-being as well as that of your loved ones, somehow in all the hub-bub of moving and decorating their new home, they fail to include household safety items in their purchases.

One of the top dangers to your newly bought property and your household are fires. Each year, according to firesafety.gov, more then a half a million winter fires cause $3 billion dollars in property loss, 1,900 deaths and 8,000 injuries. To protect your home and family place smoke detectors on every level of your home and in every bedroom. For additional protection they can be placed in hallways, stairways, attics, basements and garages. Check your detectors at least once a month and make sure their batteries are in working order. An estimated 20% of U.S. homes have smoke alarms present but none that are working. These devices are inexpensive and it could be a key factor in survival, as they facilitate early warning and the ability for a person to escape, should a fire occur.

In addition to smoke detectors, it’s recommended by home safety product manufacturers that you have one fire extinguisher for every 600 square feet of your home. Extinguishers can help you put out a small fire before it gets too large. Just make sure that your extinguishers have pressure gauges and check them at least once a month to ensure they are ready for use at all times.

Another form of danger is carbon monoxide poisoning. Very few homeowners realize that carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless, as well as poisonous and lethal. It is recommended that you put at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home to protect you and your family. There are often too many tragic news articles published during the winter each year where unsuspecting families decided to use outdoor barbeques to warm their homes.

Many times other potential dangers, such as burglary, are exacerbated by homeowners’ negligence to take simple safety precautions. When you are away from home always lock your doors and windows. If the expense is not a “budget” breaking financial item for your household, you can provide further protection from burglary by installing an alarm system in your home. Just as with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, make sure you regularly check to see if your alarm system is functioning properly.

At risk of sounding like Smokey the Bear..don’t forget, household safety should always be top priority rather than at the bottom of your to-do list. You’ll be more than grateful in the event you find yourself or your loved ones in any danger!

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