Home Safety Tips

Play It Safe In Your Kitchen
Each year, thousands of people are treated in hospital emergency rooms as a result of injuries in the kitchen. Most minor injuries are not reported, making kitchen safety an important issue.

Because we spend so much time in the kitchen, we often overlook potential dangers, and our fast-paced lifestyles can compound the problem. We recommend slowing down to help prevent injury. Here are some tips:

• Purchase a fire extinguisher, and keep it in an accessible area.
• Use a blunt instrument when prying apart frozen foods. Knives can easily cut you if they slip.
• Look for sharp objects when removing dishes from the sink or dishwasher.
• Set pots on the back of the stove and turn handles in so children can’t reach them.
• Carry plastic garbage bags away from your body. If the bag brushes your body, any glass inside may cut you.
• Avoid mixing kitchen cleaners, as deadly fumes may result.
• Touch and stir food from the microwave before serving it to ensure it isn't too hot.
• Read and follow the instructions on all appliances and food products.
• Don't overload circuits by plugging in too many electric appliances.
• Educate your children on basic kitchen safety.

Smoke Detectors--Life Protectors
According to the National Fire Protection Association, 15 of every 16 homes have a smoke detector. However, the smoke detector doesn't work in about one-third of the homes that experience fires. Most often the problem is caused by old or removed batteries.

Regularly check your smoke detectors to be sure they are working, and periodically replace the batteries. To help you remember, you might want to put fresh batteries in all of your smoke detectors when the time changes in the spring and fall.

Smoke detectors are easy to install and, more importantly, they are an inexpensive way to keep your family alive in case of a fire. If you don't already have smoke detectors in your home, purchase some. In many jurisdictions, it's the law to have working smoke detectors in or near every bedroom. If you are not sure how many you need, your local fire department will be happy to assist you.

Is Your Home Prepared for Vacation?
Home burglaries cost consumers billions of dollars each year. These invasions of private homes traumatize thousands of families. Thieves target homes temporarily unoccupied while the owners are enjoying their vacation. Before you leave for vacation, take every possible step to see that your home appears occupied.

• Lock all doors and windows. This sounds basic, but is too often overlooked. Be sure to lock the garage door and disconnect your garage door opener.
• Keep up driveway activity. Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway.
• Be sure mail and newspaper deliveries are handled. You can stop deliveries or have a neighbor collect them for you.
• Do not announce your absence on your answering machine. Thieves sometimes call to see if a house is empty.
• Keep up the outside appearance of your home. If you take an extended trip, arrange to have grass cut or snow shoveled.
• Use automatic timers. Set them to turn lights off and on.
• Notify the police of your absence. The police will usually do occasional drive-bys to check your home.

While none of these suggestions can guarantee the safety of your home, they are proven deterrents against home burglaries.

You Hold the Key to a Safe Party
The perfect ending to any gathering is a safe trip home for all of your guests. Your responsibilities as host do not end when your guests walk out the door. If an intoxicated guest injures someone on the way home, you could be held legally responsible.

Tips to prevent intoxication:

• Serve plenty of non-alcoholic beverages.
• Do not force alcohol on your guests. Do not rush to refill empty glasses.
• Always serve food with alcohol. Pizza, bread, cheese, crackers, meat and other high-protein, high-carbohydrate snacks are good choices.
• Limit salty or greasy snacks that may make guests thirsty.
• Plan party activities; do not make drinking the focus of the gathering.
• Stop serving alcohol several hours before the party ends.

The key to responsibility...

Even the best plans fail, so be able to identify and deal with an intoxicated guest.

• Watch for anyone who is unusually talkative, giddy, sleepy or uncoordinated.
• For intoxicated guests, arrange a safe ride home with a friend or in a taxi.
• Be prepared to stand your ground to prevent guests from driving home drunk. Insist your guests stay at your home rather than drive while under the influence of alcohol.  
• Do not allow anyone to drink and drive. As a host, you may be held liable for their actions.

Winterize Your Home
Prepare your pipes for cold temperatures:

• Insulate around pipes exposed to cold air.
• Shut off and drain outdoor faucets during the winter months.
• Wrap pipes with professionally approved heat tapes.
• Know the location of the shut-off valve for the water supply.
• Allow warm air to circulate under sink on exterior walls by opening cabinet doors during cold snaps.
• Let faucets drip on highly susceptible lines during extremely cold periods.
• If you plan to be away from your home for an extended period, shut the water off at the main valve and drain the pipes.

Contact an Agent
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