Hello there, safety lover! Did you know that the home safety choices you make today are important? They determine whether you will have to deal with repairs, property damage, severe injury, or even death in the near future!

There’s a lot at stake when it comes to home safety – but no worries. Protecting your home and its occupants takes virtually zero effort.

Most Important Safety Items

Every facet of home safety is vitally important. That said, some simply cannot be overlooked, as they can spell the difference between life and death in a matter of seconds. These include:

Fire extinguisher – Every homeowner should have at least one 3A:40-B:C rated fire extinguisher handy. If you find the 5-9 lb unit too heavy, then a 2A:10-B:C extinguisher should prove adequate to handle most emergencies. Note that a fire extinguisher’s life expectancy is 10-12 years.

Smoke alarms – The National Fire Protection Association makes it clear: your home should include one fire alarm on every level, including its basement, as well as another in every bedroom/sleeping area. It also advises replacing smoke alarm batteries every 6 months. Most smoke alarms have a lifespan of 8-10 years.

Carbon monoxide detectors – The International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends placing a carbon monoxide (CO) detector on each floor of your home, including its basement. An alarm should be placed within 10 feet of each bedroom, as well as near the doorway of an attached garage. Replace batteries every 6 months, and note that a CO detector’s lifespan is usually 5-7 years.

Furnace filter – Don’t overlook your furnace filter! If it becomes too clogged up with dust and other debris, then it won’t just reduce your HVAC system’s efficiency, accelerate wear and tear on your heating and cooling systems, and impact your indoor air quality. It can also cause overheating, which may eventually start a house fire. The ideal replacement schedule depends on the filters you are using, but you are generally safe if you replace your filter every 90 days.

Other Important Safety Items

Remember: every home safety hazard has the potential to claim a human life. Although the following 40 items aren’t necessarily as crucial as smoke and CO detectors, they must not be overlooked.

Adequate lighting in all areas
Light switches at top and bottom of each stairwell
Non-slippery surfaces on all steps and stairways
Sturdy handrails at all steps and stairways
Sturdy guardrails on all decks and porches
Non-skid backing on all rugs
Carpets firmly attached to floors
High-traffic areas free of electrical cords
Clutter-free floors and hallways
Screen in front of fireplace
Space heaters at least 3 feet away from combustible objects
Space heaters on non-flammable surfaces
Space heaters not at risk of falling over
Space heaters not in bathroom
Gas space heaters properly ventilated
Frequently used items stored in accessible places
Non-slippery floor in kitchen
Cleaners and insecticides stored away from food
Cleaners and insecticides stored where children can’t access
Firearms stored where children can’t access
Towel racks stored away from stove
Cooking area free of grease
Grease stored away from cooking area
GFCI outlets wherever water could be nearby
Drain and hot water pipes covered
Tub/shower floors have non-slippery surfaces
Tubs/showers have adequate grab bars
Medicines labeled and kept out of reach of children
Expired medicines thrown away
Hair dryers and other electrical equipment kept away from water
Razor blades properly disposed of
Flashlight near bed
Electrical cords in good condition
Water heater set to safe temperature
Locks on all windows
All windows operable (not stuck shut)
All doors operable (not blocked off)
Electrical outlets not overloaded
Walkways and driveway in good condition
Yard free of trash and debris

Aging in Place? Then Home Safety is EVEN MORE Important!

This may go without saying, but senior citizens are at considerably higher risk of injury resulting from accidents inside the home. Seniors suffer the most fall injuries inside their own homes. Most seniors’ homes have safety hazards!

If you’re aging in place, take special care to adhere to every item in our home safety checklist. If your parent or grandparent is aging in place, take equal care to spot any safety hazards before they could land your loved one in a hospital, assisted living facility, or worse.

Play It Safe: Contact Gilk Services Today

Are HVAC, electrical or plumbing issues putting your home’s occupants at risk? Don’t stand for it! Contact Gilk Services today for the professional solution to all your maintenance and repair needs. We keep homeowners safe in Albany, Avon, Cold Spring, Eden Valley, Freeport, Kimball, Lake Henry, Paynesville, Richmond, Rockville, St. Joseph and Watkins, Minnesota!