15 Home Safety and Security Tips

There's always a perfect time to assess your home's safety and security. Do you employ all of the following practices?

1. Make sure your house's roofing is fire resistant. If not, get it remodeled.
2. Not only should you have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, but you should also regularly inspect them for lint and dust buildup. Plus, they should all be integrated, so if one goes off in the kitchen, the ones in the bedrooms and even basement get triggered.
3. If your mailbox isn't one that locks, get one, so this way you won't be leaving outgoing mail with sensitive information sitting in an unlocked box.
4. If you need an extension cord for an outside appliance, make sure it's one that says: "Suitable for Use with Outdoor Appliances."
5. Never leave any stickie notes on your door saying you'll be back in a few minutes…even if you're expecting a delivery.
6. Know that if there's a power outage, the food in your freezer will last for up to 48 hours. Have a backup generator or only stock up on dry/canned goods.
7. When you're done using an oily rag, set it outside to dry, then put it in a metal can with a lid. An oily rag is flammable even when not in contact with a flame.
8. If a battery is non-rechargeable, don't try to charge it, as this could make it explode.
9. To repel an intruder from getting in through your windows, plant thorny bushes around them.
10. If you have a home security system, display the company's decals on your windows and signs in your yard. If you don't have a system, you can get these items online; display them anyways.
11. When you get a snowfall, clear a path to your door, and better yet, shovel the driveway—even if you're not going anywhere, as this will make burglars think someone is home.
12. Before leaving on any extended errands and especially travel, set your home phone's ringer to mute so that an incessantly ringing phone doesn't get a burglar's attention that you're not home.
13. Before leaving town, put a vacation hold on your mail and newspaper, and tell a trusted adult of your travel plans.
14. Before leaving for a trip, arrange with a trusted person to have them park their car in your driveway.
15. While you're enjoying your vacation, avoid posting about it on social media. Burglars peruse social media to see who's not home.