Checklist – How Safe is Your Home

Keeping your home safe – a useful checklist

Everyone wants to feel safe within their own home. They also want to protect their family and their belongings. Home invasion is a threat to this; in 2016 there were 188,304 burglaries reported, just in the state of California. Burglaries are not the only threat to safety in the home. In 2015, there were an estimated 365,500 home structure fires in the US and between 1999 and 2019, there was average of 430 deaths per year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning.

These figures help to show how important it is to keep people and property safe. What are the important factors in making this happen?

• Security alarms

Burglary is difficult to predict. It can happen even if you live in a respectable neighbourhood. This is why it makes sense to invest in an intruder alarm system for your home. Monitored alarm systems, provided by experts such as verisure.co.uk, provide you with the peace of mind of knowing that the alarm on your property is being monitored 24/7. If the alarm is activated, within seconds checks are made, and if an incident is confirmed personnel are sent to the property. Choosing a monitored alarm system means that your home is fully protected even when you are away on holiday.

• Door and window locks

Good home security does not just involve purchasing an alarm system; you also need to make sure that you have good quality locks installed on the doors and windows in your home. This makes it more difficult for a burglar to gain access to your property. Use deadbolts on the exterior doors of your home and make sure that you choose a reliable brand. The best way to do this is to take a look at online reviews. You can also invest in a one-sided deadbolt which can only be activated from the inside of the property. This adds an extra level of protection.

One of the most important things about window locks is that it’s a good idea to make them as visible as possible. Installing a highly visible window pin lock acts as a good deterrent.

• Smoke alarms

There is no doubt that smoke alarms can save lives. According to the US Fire Administration, three out of every five domestic fires take place in a home where there are no smoke alarms, and the risk of dying in a fire is reduced by 50% if smoke alarms are installed. The US Fire Administration also provides advice on how to fit and maintain smoke alarms.

• Carbon monoxide detectors

The risks of carbon monoxide poisoning may be less well known than those of fire, but they are no less real. Carbon monoxide is so dangerous because it displaces the oxygen in the blood. This means that the amount of oxygen getting to vital organs is reduced. It can take just minutes for someone to be overcome by carbon monoxide. It’s impossible to see, taste or smell the gas, which is why it’s so important to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home.

All of these factors help to keep your family and property safe and healthy. It’s also a good idea to ensure that you purchase a home insurance policy. The US government provides information about what to consider when buying a policy; you should take a look at this advice before you invest. Doing so helps you to make sure that you get the best product for your needs.