My daughter is closing in on crawling/walking and grabbing anything new and different. Inevitably, this means anchoring shelves, TVs, and other climbable items to the wall. Taking a fresh look at my home makes me think about the other potential risks we just don’t think about often.
The potential accident risks that exist inside and outside your home may go unnoticed in your day to day. Here are some simple steps to help convert your home sanctuary into a safer environment for family members and house guests to enjoy:
· Make sure your smoke alarms are tested regularly and ensure batteries are working.
· Check rooms, hallways, and stairs and remove any clutter, objects, cables, or loose rugs that someone could trip over. Remember to put non-slip rubber mats or self-adhesive strips on your bathroom tub or shower floors to help avoid slips and falls.
· Use brighter light bulbs to illuminate staircases and foyers. Install night lights that turn on automatically after dark. Also, keep the exterior of your home well lit, particularly during the fall and winter months with fewer daylight hours.
· Children or pets should never be left unattended in a room with a burning candle. Keep matches and lighters out of reach at all times. Place candles away from papers, curtains, and rugs or any other combustible items.
· Put socket covers on all electrical outlets in your house to prevent electrical burn or shock. Teach your children to switch off and unplug appliances when not in use, and not to touch electric appliances with wet hands or when near water.
· When entering or backing out of your driveway or garage, always look out for children and pets that may be difficult to see under or near your vehicle.
Remember, being consistent with safety behaviors is key to helping maintain an accident-proof home environment for your family, friends, and pets. Minimize risks where you can.
Another item to consider is costly risks above your homeowner’s coverage. As children grow up and have friends over, or you rent out a room for a few months on AirBnB, people who do not live in the home may encounter costly accidents. For example, a friend may fall down the stairs or slip on the drive way. If you have a trampoline, pool, etc then your liability risks only increase from there!
An umbrella insurance policy may prove helpful to minimize risks of a costly accident. Generally, $1 million coverage can cost only $180 a year! Talk with your insurance agent or financial advisor to find out if this works well for you.
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The above discussion is for informational purposes only. Recommendations are of a general nature, not based on knowledge of any individual’s specific needs or circumstances, and there is no intent to provide individual investment advisory, supervisory or management services.
