Home Safety Tips

When it comes to safety, you are your home’s first line of defense. There’s a lot you can do to prevent fire and avoid accidents and injury.

General

• Keep electrical and phone cords out of traffic paths and avoid putting them under furniture and rugs.
• Check cords regularly and replace any that are damaged or frayed.
• Don’t attach electrical cords to walls or woodwork with nails or staples.
• If you have to use extension cords, don’t overload them.
• Make sure small rugs and runners are slip resistant. If they’re not, use carpet tape or rubber matting.
• Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, including the basement and attic. Make sure they’re in working order. For added protection, consider installing one in every bedroom. Test batteries monthly.
• Make sure you have at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home. Place it close to bedrooms.
• Check electrical outlets and switches on a regular basis. If they’re warm or hot, there may be a problem. If you have small children, use safety plugs to cover outlets.
• Use light bulbs that are the right size and type for the fixture.
• Don’t overload circuit breakers or fuses.
• If you own a firearm, keep it unloaded and locked away. Keep shells in a different locked area.
• If you’re forced to use a space heater, keep it where it won’t be knocked over and away from curtains and furniture. Use a grounded outlet.
• Keep emergency supplies like flashlights, a first aid kit and emergency phone numbers close by.
• Have an emergency escape plan in place before you need it.
• Keep stairs and porch and deck railings well-maintained.

Kitchen

• Have a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen and make sure you and other family members know how to use it.
• Keep towels, curtains, combustibles and other things that can catch on fire away from the stove.
• Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking.
• Keep electrical cords and appliances away from wet sink areas.
• Whenever possible, use the back burners of your stove. Always keep pot handles turned to the back. Inspect pots and pans for loose handles.
• If you have children, keep harmful products in their original package and out of reach. Use safety latches for drawers, cabinets and appliances.
• Don’t stand on furniture; use a step stool.
  

Living areas

• If you have a chimney, clean it on a yearly basis.
• Keep halls and doorways clear and well-lit.
• Make sure stair railings are secure.
• If you have young children, install safety gates to block the top and bottom stairways. Avoid accordion-style gates with large openings.
• Keep furniture children can climb on, toys, and throw rugs away from glass doors and windows.
• Check furniture for sharp edges, especially coffee tables and other short items.

Bedroom

• Have a lamp or light switch near each bed.
• Keep candles and ashtrays away from the bed. Don’t smoke in bed.
• Don’t sleep with a heating pad on.

Bath

• Dispose of unwanted or out-of-date medications.  For disposal instructions, please refer to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection by clicking here.
• If you have children, keep medicine and cleaning supplies out of reach in safety containers. Use safety latches. Never leave a small child alone in the tub.
• Keep electrical appliances unplugged and put away when you’re not using them.
• Use non-skid mats or abrasive strips in tubs and showers.
• Set your water heater to no more than 120 degrees.
  

Garage and storage areas

• Keep dangerous substances and flammable liquids in their original or well-labeled safety containers. Keep them out of children’s reach. The latter holds true for tools and power equipment.

Outside

• Safeguard swimming areas with adequate adult supervision, four-sided fencing, gates, and child-proof locks.
• Install child car seats or booster seats correctly in the back seat of automobiles and use properly.
• Anchor home playground equipment firmly in the ground; cover exposed bolts, screws or sharp edges with plastic cups or tape; install play equipment at least six feet from fences or walls and on soft or grassy ground.
• Check your neighborhood for water hazards, construction, unfenced pools, irrigation canals, and storm drains before your children find them first.