Home Safety

Home safety is an important part of preventative home maintenance.  You can avoid personal injury by following a few safety tips.

• Avoid overloading extension cords and electrical outlets.
• Turn off appliances when you are not using them.
• Do not store flammable liquids such as paint supplies near heating units.
• Keep flammable objects such as dish towels, curtains, and aprons away from stoves, and don’t wear loose fitting clothing while cooking.
• If a pan catches fire, cover it with a lid and turn off the heat.
• If a fire gets out of control, immediately leave the house and call the fire department using a neighbor’s phone or a cell  phone.
• Develop an escape route out of your house and practice it once a month with your family.

Disasters

• Create a family disaster preparedness plan.
• Establish a meeting place outside your home and the neighborhood in case of a community disaster such as flooding, mudslides, earthquakes, or radiological and hazardous materials accidents. Make sure everyone in the family knows how to contact each other if you get separated.
• Establish an out-of-state contact (relative or friend) that you can call after the disaster to pass the word around that you and your family are okay.
• Assemble a disaster survival kit and stock emergency supplies. You will need:
• A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day.) 
• A three-day supply of ready to eat canned meats, vegetables, and fruit for each person.
• A change of clothing and footwear for each person.
• A first-aid kit that includes prescription medicines.
• One sleeping bag or blanket per person.
• A battery-powered radio and flashlight and extra batteries. 
• Special need items such as diapers, formula, baby bottles, denture and contact lenses supplies. 
• A credit card, cash, or traveler's checks.
• Tools and supplies such as paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils; a battery powered radio, flashlight, extrabatteries, non-electric can opener, tube tent, plastic storage containers, compass, matches and  plastic sheeting. 
• Sanitation needs will include toilet paper; soap and liquid detergent; personal hygiene items; plastic garbage bags, plastic bucket with a tight lid; and household chlorine bleach.