Keeping our homes clean and tidy may not be everyone’s top priority. This is especially true for those of us who have trouble finding time to clean due to our hectic work schedules.
However, our health is largely affected by the environment in which we live. Therefore, it pays to learn a couple of tricks for keeping our homes safe and secure, especially if we’ve got children. Let’s take a look at five safety tips that will help us ensure a comfortable and secure home for ourselves and our families.
Declutter your living space
Cluttered home translates to a hectic mind, and decluttering is the first step towards a clean and organized living environment. Start by tackling areas like attics and basements – they tend to be the most cluttered ones, often serving as dumping grounds for items we no longer need or use. What’s more, these areas often serve as places where rodents and various insects nest. Keeping your attic and basement clean and clear of clutter will keep these uninvited ‘guests’ at bay and result in a neat and organized home.
Inspect your home for potential hazards
Other than keeping your home tidy, you also want to make sure it’s safe. Start by inspecting your home for potential hazards. If you have children, be sure to block any electrical outlets and use bumpers on sharp corners to protect your little ones from getting hurt. You also want to prevent furniture from getting tipped over, so be sure to attach bulkier pieces to the wall. Smoke detectors should be installed on each floor and tested each month (batteries should be replaced annually). Finally, install motion detectors and surveillance cameras to keep your home protected at all times. Be sure to avoid sharing any information about your location on social media when you’re away for longer periods of time.
Make sure your property is protected
Other than protecting your home from safety hazards such as fire, floor, invasion, and electrical hazards, you also want to make sure that your home is covered for any damages. Getting your property insured is one of the most important safety precautions you can make to secure your belongings and provide financial protection for your home. Of course, there is a wide range of home insurance quotes offered, and you want to find the one that works best for you. Therefore, be sure to take some time to learn what each of them covers. Additional coverage ensures greater protection, so keep that in mind when choosing a homeowners insurance policy.
Clean the bathroom and kitchen on a regular basis
Aside from attics and basements, another two areas that are prone to pests are the kitchen and bathroom. Food scraps and spills attract various types of pests such as rodents, cockroaches, and ants, and the same goes for moist and moldy areas.
To keep your kitchen and bathroom safe from pests and mold, make sure that they’re cleaned on a regular basis. Remember to put away any leftovers after the meal and be sure to cover the trash as well. Tackle any leaks so that the pests don’t have access to water, and make sure that there are no cracks in the walls they can use to get in.
Carefully store chemicals, cleaning products, and medicines
Keeping your home clean and pest-free is crucial, but where and how you store your cleaning products and chemicals also matters. Make sure that you use cleaning products that are safe, and follow the guidelines for disposing of such products in a proper way (especially pest-control products). Store them in a place where your kids can’t reach them, and make sure your pets don’t come into contact with your household cleaning products or ingest them because they can be quite dangerous. Medications can also present a safety hazard to kids, so be sure to keep them out of their reach. It’s best to get medicines with childproof safety caps and store them in your medicine cabinet.
Even though it may not look like it at first glance, our homes are full of hidden safety hazards. A safe home is a healthy home, so be sure to follow the guide above to eliminate potential dangers and create a safe and secure living environment you and your family can enjoy.
Author Bio: Lana Hawkins is a young architect and a home décor blogger on Smooth Decorator. She enjoys writing about interior decoration and landscaping. Lana is interested in sustainability and green building, and that's where she gets most of her inspiration from.
