10 HOME SECURITY TIPS

Keeping you and your family safety is a big deal. But sometimes, its the little changes you make that add up to a big difference. I’ve collected these residential security tips to help every member of the family feel safe and secure. Here are 10 home security tips to help you and your family stay safe: 1. Inspect smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for dust and lint build up that can hinder sensors. 2. Whether you are buying, building or just remodeling your home make sure to select roofing that is fire resistant. 3. If possible, install a locked mailbox at your home and never put outgoing mail containing personal information in an unsecured out-box or in your mailbox for pick up. 4. To help prevent tipping off burglars, if you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, set your phone ringer to the lowest volume. 5. Never leave notes on your door for service people or visitors when you are not home. It’s a signal to burglars that the home is empty. 6. Do not use indoor extension cords outdoors. A safe outdoor cord will read "Suitable for Use with Outdoor Appliances." 7. If your power goes out, a full freezer can hold food safely for up to 48 hours. 8. It is recommended to have interconnected smoke alarms. These alarms are linked together; if one alarm is triggered they all go off. 9. Never attempt to charge non-rechargeable batteries. Attempting to recharge non-rechargeable batteries could cause the batteries to explode. 10. Oily rags can easily combust, even without being exposed directly to a flame. Hang them outside to dry, and then throw them away in a metal can with a lid when finished. Do you find this helpfuL?

FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY TIPS

FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY TIPS CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARMS •For the best protection, install smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside every sleeping area and in each bedroom. •Working smoke alarms reduce the chances of dying in a fire by nearly 50 percent. They are a critical first step for staying safe, but in order to be effective, they have to be working properly. •Use Daylight Savings Time as a reminder to check your smoke alarms. Replace conventional batteries at least once a year, even if alarms are wired directly into your home’s electrical system. •Consider installing a smoke alarm that has a 10-year battery. •Smoke alarms expire after 10 years. So if your alarm is more than 10 years old, you should install a new one CREATE AND PRACTICE A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN •Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of your house in case of a fire. Get a stopwatch and time how fast your family can escape. The kids will love it. •As part of your plan, designate one person to get infants and small children out safely. Have a back-up plan for young children just in case the primary person is overcome by smoke. •Smoke is toxic. Teach children to “get low and go” if there is smoke when they are leaving the home. •Practice feeling the door, doorknob and cracks around the door with the back of your hand to see if they are too hot. Help your children practice this step. •Choose a place to meet outside that is a safe distance away from your home. IN AN EMERGENCY, LEAVE HOME IMMEDIATELY •In the event of a fire, grab your family and leave your home immediately. Once you’re out of the house, stay out. •Wait to call 911 until after you are out of the home. If You Live in an Apartment, Pull the Alarm •If you don’t hear the building’s fire alarm, pull the nearest fire alarm “pull station” while leaving the floor. •Know all of your building’s fire escape exits and use the stairs to get out. Don’t use the elevator. If You’re Stuck Inside, Cover the Areas Where Smoke Might Come In •If you cannot safely escape your home or apartment, keep smoke out of the room by covering vents and cracks around the door, and call 911 or your fire department as quickly as possible. •Then signal for help at the window with a light-colored cloth or a flashlight. KEEP FLAMMABLE MATERIALS IN SAFE AREAS •Remember to keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn, and always closely supervise children and pets when the heater is turned on. •Make sure you turn space heaters off when you leave the room. •If using gasoline-powered devices, store gasoline in a locked location where children cannot access it. Keep only small quantities in an approved container that has child safety features. DON'T OVER PLUG •To prevent possible fires, avoid plugging several appliance cords into the same electrical socket. STAY FOCUSED AROUND THE KITCHEN •Use common sense in the kitchen. Limit distractions when cooking and don’t leave a hot oven or stovetop unattended. •Keep anything that can catch fire, such as dish towels or wooden spoons, away from your stovetop. •Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of emergency, and make sure you know how it works. You might be surprised that most people don’t know how to use one. BLOW OUT CANDLES AND STORE MATCHES OUT OF REACH •Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, and always blow them out when you leave the room or before you go to sleep. •Make a habit of placing matches, gasoline and lighters in a safe place, out of children’s reach. Avoid novelty lighters or lighters that look like toys. •Teach kids never to play with matches and lighters. Make a habit of placing these items up and away from young children. BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS!!!!!