Your home is your safe haven, your personal space and get away from the world but what exactly is the point if you are not safe in this haven? Nobody really likes to think about these things but the truth is accidents, crime, fires, falls, burglaries, robberies and a host of other things can happen in the house. Thankfully, these occurrences can be prevented or drastically reduced by putting in place some safety measures.

SECURING YOUR HOUSE FROM BURGLARIES AND ROBBERIES

• Make sure you always use dead-bolt door locks, window latches and protectors that are reliable, sturdy and not so easy to tamper with.
• Keeping spare keys in the environment of the house is not generally advisable but in a situation where it is unavoidable, be creative and smart about where you keep it, under the welcome mat is a bit too obvious.
• Make sure the outside door has a peephole so you can easily see who is at the door without having to open it.
• A well lit house is sure to discourage a burglar lurking in the shadows. Even when you are not at home, always make sure you leave one or two lights on to give an impression that the house is not deserted.

PREVENTING DOMESTIC ACCIDENTS

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 11,000 people die yearly from domestic accidents. Applying simple precautionary methods can save you and your loved ones from being victims.

• If a socket or any electrical outlet develops problems, never leave them pending to repair later, attend to them immediately. In a house full of kids, do not leave appliances such as boiling rings and hair curlers lying around. Also, avoid overloading one socket with more than two appliances.
• A lot of caution should always be taken in the kitchen. Never leave a pan unattended to when you are frying. Keep sharp objects such as knives and blades safely tucked away in drawers when not in use.
• Wet floors make people trip and fall, a common type of home accident. Avoid this by making sure nobody steps on floors newly mopped or scrubbed.

PREVENTING FIRES

Home fires have a number of common causes and these include electrical faults, smoking, cooking, among others. Home fires can be prevented or controlled by applying the following measures.

• Always have a fire extinguisher available in the house to put out small fires.
• Have a fire and smoke alarm installed in the house.
• Ensure all electrical appliances are switched off when not in use.
• Discontinue the use of faulty electrical appliances.
• Avoid smoking cigarettes in the house. Often times, smokers lose track of still-smouldering butts of cigarettes and this can cause fires when they come in contact with flammable surfaces.