Kitchen knives are an obvious hazard, whether they are in a drawer or on the counter. Knives should be kept in a drawer or cupboard that has a safety lock attached. This includes cupboards that seem to be out of a child’s reach. Children have no problem climbing a cabinet to reach something they are interested in. Safety locks are inexpensive, easy to use and can be purchased at any big name retailer or home supply store. It is also prudent to dry knives and put them away immediately after they are washed.

There are other sharp objects in the home that are as dangerous, but not quite as obvious, as kitchen knives. These may include pocket knives, letter openers, tweezers, scissors and even screwdrivers. If there is any way a child can be injured by an object, keep it locked up.

Heating the house with a wood burning stove or fireplace is a popular and inexpensive method of keeping warm during the winter. These are usually lit with a match or hand held fire starter. Both of which can burn a child and should be kept out of reach, preferably in a locked cupboard. Smokers should keep cigarettes as well as lighters and matches away from children.

Use the same precautions while traveling. It is wise to always store sharp objects and matches in a child proof storage container. Never allow children to use a sharp object, including standard size pencils and pens, while on the road. This can lead to injury if there is a sudden need to brake or swerve.
Keep looking, there’s more: Get your knives out

1.) You can try leaving the TV and some low-energy lights on in the home. This can be done while you’re home or out and about and it serves as a powerful deterrent to anyone sizing up your home for an intrusion.

2.) Draw the blinds. It might seem scary since you can’t see what’s coming from outside but neither can anyone looking inside. Plus, if you have anything expensive, there’s no sense in advertising it to the criminal element.

3.) This seems a bit obvious but should be stated nonetheless; always check to see who is at the door before opening it.

4.) If you have patio doors that slide, stick a metal rod or two-by-four into the track so that intruders can’t slide the door open from the outside.

While nothing is guaranteed, at least by taking these necessary precautions, you can make your home just a little safer for you and your family.

Educate your children about fire safety. Start by asking relevant questions such as “What should you do if you smell smoke?” or “What should you do if you see a fire inside?” Allow your children to answer, do not interrupt. Instead, expound on their reply and develop a clear, concise narrative.

Get a plan of action in place using these parameters:
Teach your children two use one of two exits, whichever is more close and not obstructed.

Instruct your children not to attempt to retrieve belongings or pets.

Practice using exits in the event of a fire.

Make sure your children know to crawl along the floor.

Call 911 from a neighbor’s phone or use a mobile phone outside.

Select a meeting place outside your home.

Teach your children to respond to and not hide from firefighters.

Remember to practice fire drills on a regular basis but not too often or it might make your children complacent.Can’t get enough? There’s more: Children Trapped in Kibbutz Gadot Brush Fire

It’s important to be more safety conscious with it, though. Make sure if you buy a type of fire extinguisher that needs any type of regular maintenance that you keep up with it. If you don’t, the fire extinguisher might not work when you actually need to use it, and that’s just trouble.

Make sure everyone in your household knows how to use it. You never know when someone might be incapacitated, so it may be up to others to put out the fire.

A fire extinguisher may be an eyesore, collecting dust in the corner for a majority of your life, but it has the power to save your home and your life in that little canister. It may just be the best investment you ever make.

One thing that we must really prepare for is a natural disaster, as well as a fire outbreak. One day we may be cooking a nice dinner that turns into flames, or someone may not have put out a cigarette. Regardless, a fire can happen anytime, anywhere. Because of this, it’s important to do regular fire drills with your family.

Importance of Doing Regular Fire Drills:

Could save a life: How great would it feel to know that you could have saved a life by practicing drills? Not to mention, it could be a family member!

Could avoid health problems: When people get caught up in a fire, it’s common for some to get burns and breathe in lots of smoke. These two can both be very severe problems.

As you can see, preparing for a fire drill is very important. Between saving lives, as well as avoiding things such as smoke inhalation and severe burns, it’s very important to practice these drills.