Download printable ultimate home safety checklist.
Smoke Alarms
The most crucial point of any home safety checklist, it is necessary to install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms outside each bedroom, as well as on every level of your home (including its basement) and also in furnace areas.
It’s best to invest in dual alarms that are equipped with long life lithium batteries.
It’s important to test this alarm at least once in a month to ensure they’re in perfect working condition. Their batteries should be replaced once every year.
Cordless Window Coverings
There should be no loose cords as they can strangle kids in an instant.
Remove all corded blinds or curtains in your house and install cordless versions.
If that option is cost prohibitive, store all cords out of children’s reach and without knots and loops.
Extension Cords
Make sure none of the extension cords in your house run under rugs or across doorways.
If extension cord is being used as a permanent fixture, get a new electrical outlets installed.
Sweep Your Chimney
Schedule an annual chimney and flue sweep (inspection and cleaning) before you fire up your first logs.
Also, it’s safe to burn only seasoned or dry wood that generates less soot-a big fire hazard.
Outlet Safety
Do a hand-check on all your outlets, at least once in a month. If they’re warm, immediately call your technician.
It’s safe to stay within manufacturer’s recommendations on maximum permissible wattage per outlet.
Avoid plugging more than one high wattage appliance into one outlet.
Water Heater Safety
Set your water heater to a maximum of 120 degree to prevent burns (especially if you have kids). Always keep combustible and flammable materials (including household aerosol and chemical cans) away from hot water heater.
Fire Extinguishers
There should be a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and every floor area of your house. Place each one of them strategically.
They should be replaced as per the manufacturer’s directions.
Also try to install a good sprinkler system.
Emergency Numbers
Note down all emergency phone numbers, from local fire departments and police to who to call when there’s an emergency.
Print out pages of this list and past them throughout your house (at least one list on each floor).
Fire Escape Route with Plan
There should be a tried-and-tested plan of escape in the event of fire. As a part of your home safety checklist, try to map out two exit routes, and buy a good rescue ladder if you’ve a multi-level home.
Practice escape plan at least twice per year (and once at night).
Designate a meeting place in case of national or local disaster.
If you are living in a building then you should be aware of fire escape rules that you should follow by law.
Install nonskid tub mat or nonslip decals in your tub.
Poison Control
All poisonous products or chemicals should be locked at a safe place or a chemical storage cabinets.
In addition, controlled substances like tobacco and alcohol should be kept under lock and key.
Pool Safety
If there’s a pool (or some other water source on your property), block access or surround it with at least four feet fence.
Make sure it’s access gate opens out, and should also close automatically by itself (without slamming shut).
It should use a robust self-latch mechanism that’s positioned out of the reach of kid’s hands.
Use Deadbolts
Every exterior door should use a sturdy deadbolt. If any of your doors have windows, install a good floor lock. The best advice is to use custom house windows and doors tailored to your specific needs.
Motion-Sensor Floodlights
Motion-sensor floodlights should be installed around your house, and make sure their bulbs are in working condition.
Sliding Doors
Track or sliding doors need a dowel or solid bar in their tracking system for preventing break-in. This should be of exact length as the track (around ¼ inches of the total length).
Spare Key Combination
The most important point of a home safety checklist is that you should never store spare key of your lock under some rock on your door frame-thieves know about such hiding places. Either give these keys to your trusted neighbor or maybe install a good combination safe somewhere on your property.
Visible House Number
In emergencies, your house number should be clearly visible to everyone from the street.
Use reflective numbers or install some light over the area, so that it’s easy to identify your home even in the dark.
Safety For Homes With Small Kids
Lock all cabinets and install guards on all windows. Also it is important to ensure every room in your house can be used as a fire exit.
Install approved safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
All your vitamins and medicines should have childproof caps and they should be stored out of children’s reach
Lock all guns, and stow away your sharp knives.
Install padding on your furniture with sharp edges. Also, put doorknob covers on all entry doors so that your kids can’t go out unattended.
Teach your kids to dial 911 and inform them about your mobile number and address.
Put lights and light switches at the top and bottom of your stairs.
Paint the bottom basement step pure white to make it more visible.
Avoid Deadbolts That Can Also Lock Using An Inside Key
You want to move out of the house in emergency. A misplaced key can trap you in the house
If you’ve kids, there are many devices that can be used to prevent them from opening home doors that won’t put family at risk during emergency.
Also make sure your windows open easily.
Use Only Fire Resistant Building Materials
When building, or renovating your house, use only fire resistant materials.
Pay close attention to siding and roofing materials which wrap your entire house.
There are so many affordable options that are completely fire resistant. So do some research and choose best materials that can truly protect your house.
Keep Garage Doors Closed At All Times
It’s necessary to keep your garage doors closed at all times because they lead directly into your house.
Opt for overhead garage door contact because it can provide added protection to your house.
Adjust Phone Ring To Lowest Volume
When you’re planning to be away from home for days, an unanswered phone call is a tip off to a burglar that nobody is at home.
Also, ask friend or neighbor to collect your mail and newspaper. Never cancel any delivery-since you’re not sure who will get this information.
Never Leave Notes On Your Door For Others
Leaving notes for family members or service people alerts potential thieves and burglars that you’re not at home.
Home Heating System Safety
Examine seals of all outside vents and regularly clear obstructions that can lead to carbon monoxide build-up in your house. Recheck is necessary during and after any snowstorm.
Choose the right wood for your wood stove or fireplace that should burn without producing excessive creosote (soot) because it can cause dangerous chimney fires.
Check your wood-burning stove at least once in a month. Make sure its door latch system is perfect and room has a working smoke detector. Never allow your child to use this stove unattended.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms should be installed on each floor of your house, generously covering all sleeping areas.
They should be tested every month, and replace them every eight years.
Their batteries should be replaced every year.
Thoroughly clean all detectors. Vacuum every grille.
Demonstrate the exact sound of every detector. Your family members should know the difference.
Post your local fire departments carbon monoxide reporting emergency number near every phone, and also save this number in your cell phone.
Get Immediate Help When You Need It The Most
Choose a reliable home security provider during home emergency to ensure safety of your family members and home.
Once your alarm is triggered, some person at the monitoring center will be quickly notified and will initiate procedure to help you.
Lastly, store all inflammable liquids in your house away from any flame source, such as your kitchen stove. Try to store them out of your house. Keep a rechargeable flashlight by your bed as this will light your through fire or some or maybe it can even be used as a signal to firefighters.
Brad Smith is an experienced interior designer and the founder of OmniHomeIdeas.com. With a Master's degree in Interior Design from Pratt Institute and a passion for creating safe and healthy living spaces, Brad shares his expert insights and innovative design ideas with our readers. His work is driven by the belief that home is where every story begins.
