\u201cWhether it be a fire or an accident, time will be working against you, so having a strategic exit plan or a well-equipped first aid kit on hand could save you or a family member\u2019s life,\u201d he advised.<\/p>\n
Although homeowners cannot plan for every eventuality, RE\/MAX of Southern Africa shares a few basic home safety precautions worth implementing to minimise harm.<\/p>
Create an exit strategy: <\/strong><\/p>\n It may seem extreme to have an exit strategy; however, it is an essential part of home safety.<\/p>\n Homeowners should take the time to create and practice an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency.<\/p>\n Start by drawing a floor plan of the home.<\/p>\n Then, outline two routes for every room within the home.<\/p>\n If applicable, create an alternative route for those with disabilities.<\/p>\n For all routes, always create a designated meeting spot.<\/p>\n To make sure everyone remembers the exit plan, practice the exit strategy with everyone in your home at least twice a year.<\/p>\n Though this might seem like a troublesome exercise to go through, Goslett encouraged all homeowners, at the very least, to have a short discussion with everyone in the home where they outline a rough exit plan that is simple enough for all to understand and execute in times of panic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Fires and fire safety \u2013 what you can do, to keep your loved ones safe<\/a><\/p>\n Ways sellers can follow the colour trends for 2020<\/a><\/p>\n Stock up your first-aid kit:<\/strong><\/p>\n The basics of any well-stocked first-aid kit include: a thermometer, plasters of different sizes, antiseptic ointment, gauze, disinfectant, burn care products, scissors, tweezers, and wound-closing strips.<\/p>\n Your kit should also include painkillers, antihistamine tablets, gut health medication for constipation, diarrhoea and indigestion, as well as cold and flu medicine for sore throats, congestion and a cough syrup.<\/p>\n Homeowners need to check their kit regularly to replenish supplies and replace expired medicines.<\/p>\n Eye drops, for example, need to be thrown out 30 days after opening or they will do more harm than good.<\/p>\n For those looking for a shortcut, there are prepacked first-aid kits that have all the essential items.<\/p>\n That being said, it is still advisable to personalise your first-aid kit to suit the needs of your family.<\/p>\n Consider how big your family is to ensure that you have enough of the necessities and modify the kit to treat any allergies in your family.<\/p>\n Check you fire extinguisher:<\/strong><\/p>\n Invest in a fire extinguisher and keep it in an easily accessible area in the home.<\/p>\n To ensure that it is in a fully operational state, inspect the fire extinguisher at least once a month. T<\/p>\n hings to look out for include any noticeable damage, leakage, changes in the pressure gauge and corrosion.<\/p>\n \u201cIf a fire is not handled correctly, it can have a devastating outcome.<\/p>\n \u201cNot only does it put your family at risk, but it can create severe damage to the property as well.<\/p>\n \u201cInvesting in a smoke dictator and fire extinguisher are good ways to minimise these risks.<\/p>\n \u201cSaving the number of your closest fire department in your phonebook is another vital part of being prepared for an emergency,\u201d said Goslett.<\/p>\n Make sure your home security system is working:<\/strong><\/p>\n Once a home security system is installed, many take it for granted that the system continues to work.<\/p>\n But, most security systems need to be serviced annually and the batteries on some sensors may need to be replaced at regular intervals.<\/p>\n Security cameras and alarm sensors also need to be dusted regularly to ensure they continue to be effective.<\/p>\n Homeowners should also regularly check that the slam-lock functions on security gates are still effective and that their burglar bars are still tightly fastened and not easily removed.<\/p>\n As a final recommendation, Goslett reiterated that prevention is always better than cure.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving a strategic plan for home emergencies may not be on top of the to-do list, but homeowners should consider how quickly home accidents can occur.<\/p>\n \u201cHome safety is not something homeowners should ever take lightly, as this could have devastating consequences for them and their families,\u201d Goslett said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist)\u00a0busiv@caxton.co.za.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Also follow us on:<\/p>\n
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