Home Safety Checklist For Raleigh

Staying safe and secure in your house should be your topmost responsibility. But are you forgetting one or two key safety components? Look over this home safety checklist for Raleigh and discover where your home needs an update.

This guide starts with five whole-house safety techniques, and then we delve down on a room level. Then, call (919) 756-7929 or fill out the form below to speak to a security expert.

Basic Home Safety Checklist for Raleigh

While you may want to employ a room-by-room method for home safety, there are a few methods that work for multiple rooms. These devices can talk with one another through a smart hub, and oftentimes react to other things. You can also manage every one of your home safety equipment through a mobile app, such as ADT Control:

• Monitored Security System: All your entryways should use a sensor that alerts you and your family to a break-in. As an alarm goes off, your monitoring expert answers the call and sends the police or fire department.

• Smart Lights For Most Rooms: Of course, you can set your smart bulbs so your house is more energy-efficient. But they can also help you remain safe during an emergency. Have your smart bulbs flip on when a sensor goes off to frighten off burglars or brighten a path to a safe place.

• Smart Thermostat: Like your smart lights, a smart thermostat in Raleigh should save you 10%-15% in gas and electric costs. It also can turn on the exhaust fan when your alarms senses a fire.

• Monitored Fire Detectors: At the very least, you have a fire detector on every level. You can improve your fire readiness by installing a monitored fire detector that looks for unusual smoke and heat, and notifies your 24/7 monitoring team when it detects a fire.

• Smart Locks: Every doorway that utilizes a deadbolt can use a smart door lock. Now you may set numbered codes to each family member and get alerts to your mobile device when they are activated. Your doors can even automatically turn off, helping you to quickly flee the house during a fire or dangerous situation.

Family Room Safety Checklist For Raleigh

You’ll hang out most in the family room, so it’s the perfect place to start making your home a safer place. Electronics, like a big screen or video games, probably reside in your family room, making it an alluring space for burglars. Start with installing a motion detector or indoor security camera in there, then take a look at all these suggestions:

• Motion Sensors: By installing motion detectors, you’ll have a loud noise whenever they sense unexpected movement within your living room. You’ll want motion sensors that filter out a dog or cat or you’ll get an alert each time your cat passes through for a bite of food.
  

• Indoor Camera: An indoor security camera gives you a visual on your living room. View live streams of everything so you can see what’s happening through the mobile app. Or chat with your kids in the room by using the two-way talk feature.
  

• Surge Protector/Outlet Maintenance: Protect those electronics and stop overtaxing your outlets with a surge protector. For added convenience, install a smart plug with anti-surge functionality built-in.
  

• Entertainment Center Secured To The Wall: If you have any small children, you’ll want to bolt your heavy furniture and entertainment center to a wall. This is especially important if your family room has carpet that can make furniture extra wobbly.
  

• Enhanced Locks For Sliding Doors: If your living room uses a sliding door that slides out to a patio, deck, or screened-in porch, you know that the door lock is usually flimsy. Use an enhanced lock, like a metal bar or small locks that are located on the bottom and top of the frame.

Kitchen Safety Checklist For Raleigh

The kitchen has room for items that can provide safety and security to your home. Many of these things should be easy to add and should be purchased from the grocery store:

• Fire Extinguisher: Fire can come from from an unwatched frying pan or a faulty burner. Always have a fire extinguisher at hand for any kitchen mishaps.
  

• GFCI Box On Each Outlet: A circuit interrupter outlet should be installed anywhere there’s nearby water to prevent a deadly shock. That means the plugs around your kitchen counter and sink. Since 1987, it’s been standard to have one circuit interrupter outlet per dedicated circuit. But for simplicity’s sake, try to use an unchained GFCI for every outlet.

• Monitored CO Detector: A CO detector is advised for spaces that have gas for the stove and oven. If your gas appliances malfunction, the CO detector will cause a loud noise and ping your monitoring expert.
  

• Clorox Wipes Or Spray: The biggest safety problem in the kitchen is actually bacteria and cross-contamination that comes with uncooked meat and vegetables. Always keep antiviral wipes or spray to clean your surfaces before and after making a meal.
  

• Refrigerator/Freezer Alarm: The milk, meat, and perishables in the fridge need to remain at a constant temperature to stay ready to eat. If you leave the freezer or refrigerator door ajar, then a small beep will let you know so you can shut it securely. Some fridges come with an alarm, some do not, and you’ll have to get an external alarm from the hardware store.

Bathroom Safety Checklist For Raleigh

Just because you may not have a bunch of room in your bathroom, you will still have safety hazards. From water problems to medicine care, here are a few safety tips for your bathroom:

• Flood Detectors: A leaking sink or tub can create an expensive amount of destruction. Find out early about leaks with a flood detector before they bring about hundreds to thousands of dollars in damage.
  

• Non-slip Bathroom Mats: A slip in the bathroom can be painful, causing pulled muscles, gashed heads, or sprained ankles. You can steer clear from these issues with a non-slip bath mat for while you towel off.

• Non-slip Bathtub Strips: Likewise, a tub basin can be a slick surface to stand in. Make sure each has some textured stickers so your feet and toes have a textured patch to gain traction.

• Medicine Door Lock: If you have curious toddlers or anyone with memory complications, you need to take extra attention regarding medicine. Hide away your prescriptions by using a medicine cabinet with a latch that locks.

• Circuit Interrupter Outlet: While installing better outlets in the kitchen, you need to also install a safer circuit interrupter outlet on each bathroom receptacle. This will cut the electricity if water splashes on them or they experience an unusual spike from a hair dryer or curling iron.

Kid’s Bedroom Safety Checklist For Raleigh

A child’s bedroom should balance safety with manageability. If their window shades or other things are safe but hard to manage, then your children may get around the device with dangerous methods -- like scale a chest of drawers -- to use them. Try these simple, yet safe, ideas:

• Cordless Window Coverings: Safety agencies have designated corded window treatments a secret hazard for kids and pets. Install motorized treatments that your child can easily control with a remote. Or even better, pair your motorized coverings to your security system so they can raise on a schedule when the sun comes up, and close at bedtime for added darkness.

• Tableside Security Camera: A camera sitting on your kid’s desk or dresser can behave like a high tech baby monitor that you can view from a mobile device. And when they want your help, they can use the two-way talk button that comes with the camera.

• Outlet Covers: While every outlet should have protective covers on them for your young children, this is especially important in their bedroom. It’s the one room in your home where your toddler will most likely be by themselves without consistent additional supervision.

• Window Fire Ladder: If you have bedrooms on above the first story, then you need to install a window escape ladder. These will help a young one escape when the stairs or ground floor are blocked off with fire. Remember to go over how to use them one or two times a year.

• Toy Box Or Low Bookshelves: It’s strange to think about a toy box as a safety item, but you’ll see the light if you’ve ever tramped on a Lego in your bare feet. A clean floor means a quick retreat when there’s a safety or security event.

Master Bedroom Safety Checklist For Raleigh

The bedroom should be an oasis, so let your safety devices make you more responsive when you experience an emergency. After all, being wrenched awake by a wailing alarm can be disorienting.

• Security System Touchscreen: Having a smart hub on your dresser gives you a sense of what’s going on without jumping out of bed. You could alternatively log into your ADT phone app but, the large touchscreen can be better to use when you’re bleary-eyed and finding your bearings.

• Phone Charging Area: We rely on our smartphones for almost everything now GPS, web browsers, time wasters, and maybe even phones. The only problem is that an uncharged device can cut us off from reaching help if something goes wrong. To keep it nice and ready, a an easy-to-use charging station becomes an important part of your nightstand.

• Nightlight/Smart Lights: A plug-in light can calm you when you’re jolted awake from an alarm or other noises. If you won’t drift off to sleep with a small nightlight, install smart lights in your fixtures. Then you can control light on-demand with a push of a button or voice direction.
  

• Fireproof Safe: Store your important documents like birth certificates, medical information, or a spare checkbook in a fireproof lockbox. This can be a large one that camps out out of the way or a small portable safe that you can carry as you escape during an emergency event.

• Heat Sensor: The problem with a master bedroom is that they can run too stuffy or be cold since they are located far from the thermostat. A temperature sensor can talk to your smart thermostat so you can have a nice, restful sleep at just the right climate.

Basement/Garage Safety Checklist For Raleigh

Most safety problems in the basement or garage are with your pipes or HVAC system. Discovering hazards early can prevent bigger emergencies later on. So, as you look around your garage or basement, pay attention to these critical items:

• Flood Sensor Or Sump Pump Alarm: Putting a flood alarm in back of your water heater or sump pump drain can prevent you from finding a pond when you walk into your garage or basement. Do you really want to waste your day drying the floor?

• Carbon Monoxide Alarm: It’s nice to have a carbon monoxide detector in a place where a natural gas leak can occur. If you have a gas furnace, you should install an alarm in the same room as your HVAC unit.
  

• Remote Water Shutoff Valve: If your water detector detects a hot water heater leak or a broken pipe, then you will have to cut off the primary water line at once. With a remote shutoff valve, you can turn off your water flow from any mobile device. That’s nice when you’re on vacation and receive an emergency leak text on your smartphone.
  

• Garage Door Sensor: Leaving the garage door up causes all types of issues. You can waste HVAC energy through that large opening, and rodents or lurkers can just wander in. A remote sensor will alert you to a neglected garage door and allow you to close it remotely.
  

• Heat Sensor: A heat sensor in your garage or basement is essential if you worry about freezing pipes. The heat in these areas can be wildly different than your main rooms of the home, so you will want to keep a closer eye on the temp with your security mobile app.

Home Perimeter Safety Checklist for Raleigh

Your front yard, driveway, and front walk are just as important to make safe as the inside of your house. Use this checklist to defend your perimeter:

• Doorbell Camera: See who’s arrived at the front door before you answer it and welcome guests. Get a visual on deliveries and record video clips if they are taken.

• Outdoor Camera: You can install outdoor cameras to guard against unusual lurkers in your back yard. These cameras are nice in areas where you might not have a window installed -- like around a cellar or by the driveway.

• Window Height Bushes: High shrubs can offer some privacy, but they also obscure your line of sight of the yard and curb. Don’t provide potential thieves a place to hide. Plus, tall bushes, shrubs or trees against your home can jam up gutters and bring in ants and termites.
  

• ADT Signs And Decals: One of the biggest deterrents for a break-in is telling aspiring rogues that you have a state-of-the-art security system. An ADT yard stick by the front door and a window sticker will show people that they might want to keep walking to an easier house.

• Motion Activated Flood Lights: Light is the largest deterrent to those who sneak around in the shadows. Motion-activated lighting on your porch, garage, or deck can help scare possible intruders away. Flood lights also help you get inside when you arrive home late at night.

Use Secure24 Alarm Systems To Help You Finish Your Home Safety Checklist for Raleigh

While Secure24 Alarm Systems can’t deliver every item on your Raleigh home safety checklist, we can discuss a powerful home security. With everything from alarms to thermostats, we can install the ideal system for your house’s needs. Just contact (919) 756-7929 to get started or fill out the form below. Or personalize your own solution with our Security System Designer.