Protect against these common security risks.
As a homeowner, you are responsible for protecting your home and everyone and everything inside of it. Unfortunately, there are countless risks that threaten your property, loved ones, and personal possessions. To protect the people and things that you love most, take these steps to minimize your home-related risks.
- Burglary
A home burglary takes place approximately every 20 seconds in the U.S. To make matters worse, the police solve only 13% of these burglaries, meaning that most homeowners never recover their stolen goods. Most burglaries take place in homes that do not have safety features such as surveillance cameras, intruder alarms, and security systems. So, to ensure that your home doesn’t become an easy target, invest in these home security features. Another way to protect your home from burglars is by making sure that you secure all windows, doors, and other points of entry before leaving your home.
- Fire
Home fires are one of the most common and devastating damage events that a homeowner can face. In homes, cooking equipment is the leading cause of fire. However, fires can also break out due to faulty lighting fixtures, malfunctioning appliances, overheated electronics, and so on. Smoke detectors are one of the best fire prevention tools, and homeowners are advised to install a working detector on every room and floor of their home. You should also keep a fire extinguisher on every floor of your home and, most importantly, in your kitchen. This ensures that you can quickly put out a fire before it spreads.
- Accidental Poisoning
According to the National Safety Council, accidental poisoning is the leading cause of unintentional death in the home. The most common type of poisoning is overdosing on prescription drugs, particularly painkillers. To ensure that curious children do not get their hands on dangerous medications, store prescription drugs in child-proof containers and keep them out of reach.
Another common type of household poisoning is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is a poisonous gas that is colorless, odorless, and undetectable without special equipment. CO is produced by burning carbon-based fuels such as coal, oil, charcoal, wood, and so on. Additionally, CO can be released into the home by faulty pipes or malfunctioning equipment. To ensure that your loved ones are not exposed to this deadly gas, install CO detectors on every level of your home and in areas with CO-producing equipment such as your kitchen and garage.
Take these steps to keep your home, loved ones, and belongings safe. Remember, having the right homeowners insurance is an important part of protecting your property. For assistance with all your home coverage needs, contact the experts at Phocus Insurance in Phoenix, Arizona today.
