Home is supposed to be your refuge from the world. It’s where you relax, spend time with family and friends, and just enjoy yourself.
While a home can be all of those things, it can also contain a lot of safety hazards, including everything from the risk of fire to falling down the stairs. The good news is that we’re here to help you identify some of those hazards and give you tips on how to reduce the chance of them occurring. At MMI Insurance, we’re here for all of your home insurance needs!
To learn more, keep reading ahead.
1. Fire
Fire is one of the biggest concerns a homeowner has. After all, a fire can wipe out your home in minutes, not to mention the risk it poses to you and your loved ones. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can protect yourself and your home from fire:
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Ensure that all sources of fire (such as cigarettes and candles) are thoroughly extinguished after use.
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Have smoke detectors installed on every level of your house, and test them regularly.
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Never leave items on the stove unattended, and keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
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Have a fire safety plan in place to quickly evacuate if your home catches fire. Make sure everyone in the family knows the safety plan in the event a fire occurs.
2. Water damage
The next biggest concern to homeowners is water damage. After all, water damage can be extensive and expensive to fix. These are some excellent ways to help prevent your home from being damaged by water:
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Regularly check potential leak areas, such as bathtubs, showers, washing machine hoses, and even your refrigerator to ensure they aren’t damaged or leaking.
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Winter-proof your pipes and unhook outdoor hoses after you finish using them in the fall.
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Install water sensors/detectors in your home.
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Turn off the main water supply in your house when you are going on holidays.
3. Slipping and falling
Someone can slip and fall in or around a home in many ways, such as in the shower or on an icy sidewalk. Fortunately, there are methods to reduce slips and falls from happening:
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Always shovel your sidewalks promptly, and use plenty of salt to keep them from being slippery.
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Install handrails for all of your stairs. You should consider anti-slip treads for your stairs if the flooring is slippery.
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Place non-slip mats in your bathtubs and showers.
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Clean up items on floors and stairs regularly to avoid tripping hazards.
4. Damage from storms and hail
Canadian weather is quite drastic—we get everything from hot sunny days to hail storms! To protect your house from damage, ensure the roof is in good shape, and keep any tree limbs near your home trimmed.
5. Carbon monoxide poisoning
The best way to reduce carbon monoxide poisoning is with high-quality carbon monoxide detectors. You can’t smell carbon monoxide, but detectors will sound an alarm if they detect a dangerous level of carbon monoxide in your home.
6. Cuts
One of the most common injuries that can happen in the home is cuts. You can help prevent cuts by using adequately sharpened knives (a dull knife can actually be more dangerous than a sharp one) and ensuring objects such as scissors are out of the reach of children.
You should also have an excellent-quality first-aid kit in the home. Deep cuts may require stitches, but a small cut may be handled at home.
7. Burns
Another injury that can happen in the home is burns. The most frequent causes of burns at home are from cooking. Make sure that children know never to touch the stove or an iron while it is in use, and avoid cooking things in oil at high heat as it can splatter and burn.
8. Drowning
Drowning isn’t just a risk if you have a pool; it can even be a danger for anyone using the bathtub!
If you have a pool, make sure you follow all safety regulations, such as having latched pool covers and a locked gate. Always ensure that any doors from your house that can access the pool are locked if you have young children.
Never leave young children or anyone who is vulnerable alone in the bath, as drowning can happen in just a few inches of water.
9. Open windows
There’s nothing like having a cool breeze through your house. However, open windows can pose both a safety hazard and a theft risk.
Only leave windows open on a floor you’ll be on frequently, and always ensure you close them before you go out. Don’t leave young children unattended anywhere there’s an open window, as a screen won’t prevent them from falling out.
10. Unsecured furniture
Unsecured furniture can be a hazard, especially if you have young and curious children who like to climb things. Ensure that large or heavy items such as bookcases and dressers are fastened to the wall or bolted securely so they won’t tip over.
We Can Help Protect You With the Right Home Insurance
At MMI Insurance, we aim to ensure that you, your loved ones, and your home remain safe! That’s why we’ve compiled this list of common home safety hazards and given you tips on preventing them.
We understand that sometimes, no matter how carefully you plan, things do go wrong. That’s why we offer home insurance. When you purchase home insurance from MMI Insurance, you’re getting all of the following included with your policy:
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Coverage to rebuild or repair your home.
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Money to cover additional living expenses if you must move out of your home due to a claim..
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Replacement cost coverage for damaged or stolen belongings.
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Home liability insurance to protect against claims if anyone is injured on your property due to your negligence.
If you’re looking for even more coverage, we can customize your home insurance policy to suit your needs.
Contact Us to Learn More
At MMI Insurance, we’re here to answer any questions about buying home insurance. You can call us at 866-222-6996 or contact us online to get started.
