Essential Safety Items for the Home

A fire extinguisher may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of home safety equipment, but it’s far from the only useful item. You can get other products that make your home even safer, ranging from sensor lights to tool kits. Here are some less obvious things that make safety at home better.

1. Motion Sensor Lights

Many homes rely on fixed security lights on their porches and streetlights for visibility and safety. Sometimes the fixed lights may fail, however, leaving you vulnerable before repairs. In some cases, bad actors can even intentionally hamper the devices if they’re planning a robbery. Installing motion sensor lights around the premises is a great way to bolster security.

Motion sensor lights have a flexible design that gives you total control over their operation. For instance, you can determine the brightness to use, how long the lights stay on, and the distance to cover. These adjustments will help you find a comfortable level of security and make it more difficult for trespassers to interfere.

2. Safety Ladder

Get a portable safety ladder and store it in an accessible place. It is better to keep it near an exit, such as a window, and let everyone in the household know its location. A ladder can help you climb out of windows during a fire or reach the roof in case of a flood, increasing your chances of escaping danger. It’s one of those home safety essentials that’s often overlooked.

3. Smart Doorbell and Lock

A smart doorbell is one of those newer home safety items that integrates a video system that you can operate via a computer, phone, or tablet. It lets you view, hear, and safely communicate with your visitors, keeping suspicious people at a distance.

A smart lock has a touchscreen pad with a security code. These innovative locks work with apps that allow you to control access to your home remotely for extra peace of mind. This operation lets you eliminate ordinary deadbolts that someone can easily break. You also do not have to worry about losing your keys.

4. Carbon Monoxide Detector

Although having a smoke detector at home is common, many households do not incorporate a carbon monoxide detector. This device is vital for safety at home since the gas is odorless and invisible. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can damage your nervous system or even lead to death.

You can plug a carbon monoxide detector into any outlet to make all your rooms safer. The detector typically comes with a robust backup battery to ensure that the alarm will ring even during a power outage.

5. Emerbgency Kits

It is surprising how many homes do not have comprehensive emergency kits. Most people tend to have just a few basic first aid items scattered around the house, like pieces of cotton or Elastoplasts. Getting a fully packed kit that goes beyond the basics is essential for home safety. A good emergency kit may include a whistle, alcohol swabs, Band-Aids, and a CPR breathing mask. You should also have a good supply of disposable gloves so you can perform first aid without spreading infection to a wound, or so you can clean up harsh chemical spills.

A 4-in-1 emergency tool is also a great addition to an emergency tool. This home safety item should be made with cast aluminum to prevent rust and resist sparks. A multitool can help you dig through debris, pry open doors, and turn off water and gas valves. It may seem obvious to have these safety items for your home, but many people overlook them precisely because of their obviousness. No matter how trivial some of them may seem, getting these items is essential for increasing home safety in emergencies. They can be the difference between a minor scare and a total catastrophe.