Safety Tips

Fire Prevention

• Maintain your landscape to eliminate dead vegetation.
  
  
• Clean your gutters regularly.
  
  
• Store combustibles away from your home.
  
  
• Trim tree limbs that are near your chimney.
  
  
• Make sure all roofing materials are fire resistant.
  
  
• Post your address prominently so that emergency units can see it clearly.
  
  
• Cap your chimney with a mesh vent.
  
  

Burglary Protection & Prevention

• Burglar alarm systems are an effective deterrent. Nine out of ten convicted burglars agree they'd avoid a house protected by an alarm system.
  
  
• Security system decals and signs are also an effective deterrent.
  
  
• For double-hung windows, bolt the upper and lower sashes together or insert a metal bar in the track to prevent opening.
  
  
• Make sure your exterior doors are solid wood, fiberglass or steel.
  
  
• Make sure exterior door hinges are on the inside so that intruders can't remove the pins
  
  
• Most home burglaries occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., so get in the habit of locking all doors and windows whenever you go out.
  
  
• Add a bolt lock or use a "charley bar" on sliding glass doors.
  
  
• Use bars to secure basement or garage doors and add bars to basement windows.

Child Home Safety

• If your children are old enough and responsible enough to be home alone without adult supervision, be sure they know these safety essentials:
  
  
  • Safe route home from school
  • Where emergency phone numbers and rules are posted
  • Basic first-aid skills
  • The fire escape route
  
  
  
• Make sure your children know who is allowed in the home while you are away, and how to check an individual's identity before opening the door.
  
  
• If children are allowed to prepare and eat food while you are away, teach them how to do it safely.
  
  
• When your children play outside, be sure they know exactly what their physical boundaries are and how to react to strangers.