Our homes are big and small, short and tall, new and old … and our families are equally diverse. Regardless of family or house, we all need to take precautions to live safely. Here are quick (not complete) tips to help you insure the safety of your loved ones.

Fire Safety Tips

Even with building standards for smoke detectors, residential fires continue … with 414,000 fires in 2007, resulting in 2,895 deaths, 14,000 injuries and $7,546M in damages. You definitely want to take these safety tips seriously:

• Install smoke & carbon monoxide alarms throughout the house; test them periodically and replace batteries at least once a year … and don’t smoke in bed!

• Clean chimneys regularly & insure they are properly vented; when installing a new fireplace or wood/pellet stove; follow building codes & manufacturer specs.

• Treat electrical devices with respect, i.e. don’t overload outlets or run cords under rugs.

• Don’t store flammable liquids like cleaning agents & paint supplies near heating units.

• Keep space heaters away from combustibles like curtains.

• Only use candles with adult supervision.

• Identify escape routes and practice fire drills with your family.

• Call the fire department from outside your home.

General Home Safety Tips

• Keep key phone numbers by all your phones:

• Teach children how to call 911 and give your address

• Write down your local fire department phone number

• Call the Poison Control Center, 800-222-1222 if needed.

• Keep a first aid kit at home and in each car.

• Staircases should be well lit inside/outside the house, with convenient light switches or those operated by motion detectors. Stairs should be kept free of clutter.

• Flooring should be secure from carpeting to throw rugs (use non-skid backing).

• Bathtubs and showers should have rubber safety mats, strips or decals.

• Don’t block your vision by carrying things up/down the stairs.

Kitchen Safety Tips (if you want to learn more)

• Don’t leave cooking unattended.

• Keep cooking area clean & store flammables away from the stove.

• Water & grease do not mix. Turn off heat & cover flames with a lid if you can do this safely before leaving.

• Keep a fire extinguisher in/near the kitchen & know how to use it.

Child Safety Tips

• Make sure all medicines, cleaning supplies & other chemicals are kept out of reach — Preferably in a locked cabinet or … for frequent access, child tamper-resistant cabinet locks.

• Don’t forget the kitchen, all bathrooms, the laundry room, garage & workshop.

You’re probably familiar with plastic, outlet protectors, but they don’t always work. The 2008 Revision of the National Electric Code requires tamper-resistant receptacles for new construction and all home renovations:

• Child tamper-resistant outlets only work when something is inserted into both vertical outlet holes at the same time (hidden shutters open).

• Child tamper-resistant face covers install over/replace existing outlet covers.

• Make sure your garage doors have buttons at least 5 ft high, and that they have an automatic feature to reverse the door if it comes in contact with an object while closing, test periodically to make sure this feature is working.

• Never place a crib, child’s bed, chair or other object where children may stand, within reach of any window with dangling cords, i.e. common on horizontal blinds.

Safety Tips for Seniors

• Make sure railings are secure on porches, steps and stairs; a second railing on the opposite side may be helpful.

• Add lighting, light switches and/or motion detector switches so seniors never have to walk in the dark. Where there are changes in elevation, paint (heavy duty masking tape works too) with a contrasting color to make the changes more visible.

• Provide grab bars (installed correctly) in bathrooms as needed.

• Use devices where the heating elements shuts off, i.e. electric burners on the stove.

Tips for Handy Home Owners

• Only tackle tasks you feel safe doing, i.e. don’t go on a roof if you aren’t comfortable up there.

• Always keep your tools in good working order and your work area neat and organized. Unplug power tools when adjusting the tool, or leaving the work site.

• Follow safety procedures for any tools you’re using, i.e. work boots, safety glasses and safety guides when using power tools. Follow manufacturers instructions.

• Learn good ladder safety for step and extension ladders which should always be positioned on a flat, firm surface. Don’t step on top 2 rungs or reach too far where your hips aren’t between the rails.

• Always shut off power before working on a fixture, outlet or switch. Then test (circuit tester) to make sure circuit isn’t active as some circuits may still be active due to faulty wiring. DO NOT let someone else turn power off.

• Leave work on gas pipes to a professional. Remember gas is explosive!

Be prepared for any possible danger:

• Keep a fire extinguisher in your garage/workshop, large enough for home fires.
• Use a certified respirator when working with hazardous chemicals, i.e. like those contained in varnishes, strippers, solvents, preservatives, adhesives, etc.
• When sanding wood or joint compound (mud), wear a dust mask and make sure NOT TO DISTURB anything you suspect might contain asbestos.
• When working with lead-based paint, be extremely careful and use a respirator, gloves and protective clothing. Use a particulate vacuum cleaner specially designed for these jobs (rent one) and seal off area where you are working. For large areas, hire a professional to do the job.

About the Author

Tina Gleisner is the founder of the Association of Home Professionals, which helps home owners find the information and resources they need to manage their homes with confidence (www.hometipsandtools.com ). She has written hundreds of articles about home maintenance, repairs and remodeling to help customers find the best solutions for their home, lifestyle and budget. Through My Handyman of Southern NH, Tina offers services in home maintenance including wood rot and water damage, energy saving improvements and updates such as trim, tile, painting and creative storage solutions.