Home Safety and Security

Duplicate Keys Have duplicate keys made and keep them in convenient places so that samll children who lock themselves in the bathroom or other rooms can be freed promptly. When you take a vacation leave a key with a trusted neighbor. If you forget to attend to something before you leave or if an emergency arises, your neighbor may be abele to help you. Deadbolts Install deadboltlocks on all doors with access to the outside. By having a locksmith or security specialist come to your home to make an evaluation, you can deterimine the degree of security you would like to have. Smoke Detectors Install smoke detectors on every level in your home and check their alarms once a month. Change the batteries at least twice a year- when you change the time on your clocks. Chimney Inspection Have your chimney profeesionally inspected and cleaned, if necessary, at least once a year to remove soot and flammable creosote. A clear chimney will prevent a buildup of dangerous carbonmonoxide gas in the home. Always use a screen on your fireplace. Only burn materials designed for a fire place. Put ashes in metal containers and remove them from inside the house. Fire Extinguishers You should buy one fire extinguisher for every level of the home. Each member should be familiar with their locations. Have them checked annually to make sure they are fully charged. Be sure you and family know how to turn of the electricity, gas, and water in the event of an emergency. Carbon Monoxide Detectors For maximum protection, two carbon monoxide detectors are recommended per houshold; one located in the furnace rooom, the other near sleeping areas.