You never know when a disaster may strike. That is why it is always best to be prepared for any scenario. Keep your home safe and ready with these common tips and essentials.
First Aid Kit
You should always have a first aid kit in your home in case small injuries occur. Having a first aid kit, even a small one, helps you be prepared for anything from a skinned knee to a cut finger. This should be kept in a common area, such as the kitchen or the bathroom, so you know where it is. There are many different sizes of first aid kits that you can buy, and you can make your own as well. You should have band aids, alcohol wipes, butterfly bandages, gauze, cotton balls and cotton q-tips, sterile eye dressings, safety pins, sterile gloves, tweezers, scissors, tape, antiseptic cream, and pain medication, such as acetaminophen. These are the basics of a first aid kit, but you can add as much to it as you would like.
Fire Extinguishers
A fire extinguisher is a very important tool that could save your life and even your home in case of a fire. These are not too expensive, and they can be placed anywhere in your home out of reach of children. A good place to keep this would be in your kitchen and by bedrooms. If you have multiple levels in your home, you may want to have one on every floor. It’s also important to make sure everyone in the home who is able to knows how to operate it.
Escape Plan
An escape plan is very useful, especially if you have multiple floors. This plan is up to you to design, but it should highlight the exits of the home and the best ones to use for emergencies, such as a fire. This plan is useful for children and should be placed in areas they can see it if they need it. Remember to teach children the basics of fire safety, such as the stop, drop, and roll technique. You should also be aware of detecting the fire so that you are not heading toward it. If a door or area feels hot, head away from it, as the fire is near. Remember to crawl or stay low to the ground away from the smoke. Decide who gets what role, from calling 911 to alerting and assisting others in the home and include that in your plan so that you don’t waste time deciding when an emergency occurs. It is recommended that you go over this plan twice a year or so to ensure it is memorized. Another preparation you can make is having valuables in a place that can be reached quickly during the escape if time allows. Having your important documents in a fire-proof safe is smart as well.
Keeping Things Up to Date
Many people do not realize how out of date their doors, windows, and appliances are. Consider updating your doors and windows as well as your locks to make sure your house is safe and stable. Steel doors are becoming much more popular, as they are easy to install and more secure than regular wooden doors. These doors can help stop break-ins and prevent storms from ripping the doors off. Installing security systems would be good to deter burglars as well and to prepare you for if someone does try to enter. You should consistently check your appliances, such as the heater and the water heater, as well as your vents to prevent any fires. Also, do not forget to check batteries in smoke detectors, fire alarms, and your lock alarms. These batteries should be replaced twice a year. This might help save your life in the future.
These preparations can help save you time during an emergency. Remember to stay calm during an emergency. Also, remember that it is impossible to prepare for every single emergency that can occur, but it is always better to be as prepared as you can be for anything that may come your way. 
Jade Paredes
Home and Yard Magazine
