Family safety is a priority in everyone’s life. You can prevent many accidents just by taking some simple steps. Preparing for the worst may seem dramatic to some, but as anyone who has cared for a child or elderly family member can attest to, being prepared for a worst-case-scenario yields the best results when bad things happen.
Safety from Intruders
Unfortunately, a would-be intruder looks at the elderly, disabled, and children and sees easy targets for theft. Here are a few ways to protect your family from intruders:
- Firearms – Buying a gun is a major decision, but the right one for many families. However, be sure to know in advance how to handle a firearm properly. Think carefully of where it will be stored in your house and who will have access to it. It’s also important to remember that even the safest of gun owners are still susceptible to an accident. Be especially cautious if you have children at home by storing it with a safety on it and keeping the barrel empty.
- Dogs – A large dog with an intimidating bark is always a great way to deter intruders, but possibly not the best idea if you are elderly. Sometimes, even well-behaved large dogs cause falls for the elderly. Conversely, a large dog living in proximity with a small child can also be an accident waiting to happen. A safer option might be getting a “yapper” — these dogs may be small, but their incessant high-pitched barking can deter an intruder just as much as a large dog would. You can find a loyal friend and guard dog from a local shelter.
- Alarms – An alarm system is a good security measure for any family because of the numerous options available to consumers. Home alarms are the number one deterrent for burglars. You can get a home security system and customize it to your family’s particular needs. To learn more about these types of safety issues and to find solutions you can check out Lifeshield home security.
Pool Safety
This is an issue which can be looked at from many different angles. The financial downside is that homeowners’ insurance goes up with the addition of a pool because of the new risks pools present. Putting a gate around a pool is an option, but sometimes children try opening or jumping locked gates. According to a report on poolsafety.gov, “approximately 54 percent of the estimated injuries between 2007 and 2009, involving children younger than 15, occurred at a home pool or spa.”
Even though pools are good for low impact exercising for the elderly, they can still cause slips and accidents that could end terribly.
To help prevent pool-related injuries, or deaths, install pool or gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water, make sure all pools and spas have the right drain covers on them, have a working pool or spa cover, and install an underwater alarm in case of drowning.
Location, Location, Location
Safety for your family has a lot to do with location. Gated communities are obviously safer than those that are not gated. Not all parents or caretakers have the option of living in a gated community, though. The area of your home can have a lot of impact on the safety of your family.
Whether it is the school that you send your children to, or the stores that you routinely shop at, safety can vary immensely. The solution for this could be to move into an area with low crime or even find a home in a rural area.
If you live in a neighborhood, make sure you know and trust your neighbors if your children like playing outside. Always keep an eye on children playing outside in case they run into a busy road, or a stranger tries to talk to them. Choosing a neighborhood with a neighborhood watch is always a good option for families concerned with safety.
Trying not to worry about the possible accidents that could happen to your loved ones, while remaining realistic and prepared about inevitable mishaps will hopefully give you peace of mind.
What are some other safety concerns of yours?