All homeowners want their houses to be secure and to keep the family safe. However, you never know when an unexpected situation could happen, and it’s important to be prepared for an emergency. Here are 4 home safety essentials to stock up on for peace of mind.

First Aid Kit

Every home should have a basic first aid kit to treat minor injuries. Scrapes, cuts, and allergic reactions are minor accidents that happen at home. Even for a more serious incident, the items in a first-aid kit can help to treat an injury while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

Any first aid kit should include items like band-aids, antibacterial ointment, over-the-counter pain medicine, antihistamines, tweezers, eye wash, burn cream, and ACE bandages. Check the first aid kit periodically and replace what has been used.

Fire Extinguishers are Home Safety Essentials

Fire extinguishers are often overlooked home safety essentials. A fire extinguisher in the kitchen can put out a cooking fire before it gets out of control. Keep an extinguisher in areas with heat-producing devices, like near the furnace and fireplace and in the laundry room. Fire extinguishers expire, so check the dates on the ones you have and replace them as needed.

Smoke and CO Alarms

Smoke detectors are generally not prioritized as a safety device. You might look at the smoke detectors in your home and assume they work. However, even hardwired smoke alarms can malfunction, and it is critical that they have working backup batteries. Also, the devices only last for around a decade, so keep track of how old they are and replace them when necessary. The same goes for carbon monoxide detectors, which should be installed in bedrooms and near any fuel-burning appliances.

A Disaster Kit Includes Home Safety Essentials

Keep a disaster kit in an accessible area in every home. A disaster could strike no matter where you live, like a power outage, severe storm, or flood. A kit stocked with basic needs like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, phone chargers, power banks, and medications will help you through the event. You might have to evacuate or be stuck in the house, so stock up on the things you would need to survive a few days.

Jones & Cooper Home Inspections provides home inspection services. Contact us to schedule an appointment in the Metro Louisville area.