Countdown to a Safer Home in 2021

Every year, champagne in hand, we count down to the New Year while watching the ball drop. So, we thought this would be the perfect time to count down ten steps you can take to create a safer home in 2021. 

10. Install a Wi-Fi camera. With the advent of Wi-Fi security cameras, hard wiring is no longer necessary. This brings installation costs down considerably and makes the technology a lot more accessible for many people. Wi-Fi cameras and doorbells can record activity outside your home and send alerts to your mobile phone when motion is detected.

9. Pressure-wash walkways. Don’t let mold and mildew build up on walkways, steps, patios and other hardscapes. Excessive buildup can make these surfaces slippery and a falling hazard. Enlist professional help or rent a pressure washer at your local home store.

8. Install motion-sensitive exterior lights. Motion-sensitive lighting can deter burglars and provide added safety when navigating your property at night. They’re inexpensive and easy to install. And many models are battery-operated and don’t require hardwiring to your existing electrical system.

7. Install a carbon monoxide detector. While smoke alarms are fairly common, homeowners frequently overlook carbon monoxide detectors. But they can be life-saving should this deadly gas build up inside the home. Because these fumes are odorless, they can pose a grave danger when left undetected.

6. Install a monitored security system. Once again, Wi-Fi technology can help you avoid the necessity of hardwiring equipment in your home and lower installation costs. An added bonus: You may also get a discount on your homeowners insurance by showing proof of your security system. Contact your local We Insure agent to see if you qualify.

5. Professionally inspect your chimney. Soot and other debris can build up inside chimneys and cause a fire hazard. Have a local professional thoroughly inspect and clean it out to make sure your chimney is safe and unobstructed. 

4. Purchase fire extinguishers for your home. Place easily accessible fire extinguishers on every floor of your home and make sure everybody in the house knows how to use them properly. Fire extinguishers have different ratings for the types of fires they’re effective on. Be sure you also have a specialized one for grease fires, which are more likely to occur in the kitchen.

3. Anchor furniture to walls. About every 43 minutes, a child suffers injury in a furniture tip-over accident in the United States. Even smaller pieces, like dressers, are vulnerable to this danger. Learn how to properly anchor furniture at https://www.anchorit.gov.  

2. Keep a first-aid kit stocked and ready to use. During the pandemic, many people are hesitant to venture out — even to see a doctor. It’s especially important right now to maintain a well-stocked first-aid kit at home to treat minor injuries. But be sure, however, to seek prompt medical attention for anything serious.

1. Review basic safety habits. Keep doors and windows locked. Close blinds and draperies at night, and store valuables out of sight. And never open the door to strangers. Teach your children basic safety habits to better prepare them for when they will someday live on their own.

While these tips may not be as exciting as a ball drop in Times Square, keeping your home and family safe is certainly worth celebrating. Hopefully, you’ll never need to use your homeowners insurance. But if you do, having the right coverage with a reputable insurer that provides excellent customer service is critical. 

We Insure can help you shop for a policy that’s right for you at a price you can afford — and we’ll be there to assist you should you ever need to file a claim.