The Real Deal

Holidays are prime time for safety

Homeowners who put their home on the gift list this holiday season can give themselves one of the best holiday presents of all: safety. Buying presents for the home can provide security throughout the coming year and peace of mind throughout the busy holiday season.

Among the most important gifts on the list should be a smoke detector. Fire safety experts say that many lives could be saved each year if every home had at least one smoke detector. These proven, protective devices are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and readily available in a wide range of prices.

Another great gift for the home is a fire extinguisher. This is an especially smart buy for homes that have fireplaces or wood-burning stoves. Unlike industrial models, home fire extinguishers are compact, attractive and easy to use.

While sparkly lights might decorate the outside of the house, don't forget an automatic timer to help keep the inside lit when no one is home. An empty, dark house is an open invitation for uninvited holiday visitors. But automatic timers can turn house lights on and off at predetermined times to give a home a lived-in appearance that is sure to discourage thieves.

As winter storms knock down power lines and power failures become inevitable, emergency items also make great holiday gifts for the home. Candles, matches, flashlights and extra batteries make excellent stocking stuffers. Hurricane lamps and fuel, as well as a battery-powered radio and a good first-aid kit are other good ideas. Families who enjoy camping know that summertime gear such as camping stoves, heaters and lighting devices can be pulled into emergency use in any season.

Most people don't realize that falls are the No. 1 cause of accidental deaths at home. To help prevent accidents in the home, items such as rubberized, no-slip mats and grab bars installed around tub or shower areas can help avoid falls. In addition to the bathroom, stairs--both indoors and outdoors--can also pose dangers. On inside steps, rubber treads can reduce slipping accidents, while a few well-placed tacks can secure carpeted stair surfaces. Before inclement weather hits, treat outside stairs to some sand and paint by mixing the two together to give stairs a new surface and better traction.

When making a home safety list, don't forget to make a few appointments before the holiday season is in full swing to get heating equipment and electrical wiring systems checked by a professional. Cold weather and entertaining during the holidays often put added burdens on the home's energy system. Small tasks can make a big difference. For instance, remembering to change the furnace filter can increase efficiency and cut energy consumption costs. Checking the fireplace to make sure it is not obstructed will ensure a warm, cozy fire on cold rainy evenings.

Make this year the season to focus on home safety and provide a safe haven for family and loved ones.

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Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at www.siliconvalley-realtors.org. Send questions on any topic to jnewton@jnpr.com.

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