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Safety is a top priority as a caring partner, mother, brother, sister, or father. Unfortunately, there are over 200,000 accidental deaths per year in the United States alone. Many are preventable and result from slipping, house fires, and intruders. Fortunately, there are various methods you can apply to better protect your family and ensure safety for everyone under your care.

Store Away Valuables

Intruders are a real threat to any family, whether wealthy, middle class, or disadvantaged. To a desperate drug addict or even someone with no regard for others, your possessions are valuable to them. A recent survey found that 75% of homeowners don’t have a basic alarm system installed in their homes. But even if you do, it’s always a good idea to store away valuables such as expensive jewelry in large safes to prevent theft. Also, in a world of data theft, a passport or birth certificate is as valuable as a diamond ring. 

Be Careful Who You Let In

It’s a sad thing to say, but it’s best to be mindful of who you let into your life. Unfortunately, almost all major crimes, such as murder or abuse, are perpetrated by someone known to the victim. It’s possible you are a kind-hearted person, and you see the good in everyone. But you never really know the intentions of anyone. And you can help yourself and your family by getting to know someone well before you let them into your home. If not, it is possible things will go missing, or worse, you are physically attacked. 

Don’t Forget Car Safety

Of course, family safety extends beyond the home. Family vehicles are just as prone to an accident as any other. While you can’t completely eliminate the chance of an incident, you can reduce it significantly:

1. Do a FLOWER check of your car to ensure everything is in working order.
2. Ensure all seat belts are working and child seats are safe and secure.
3. Store away anything you think will distract you.

In the United States, 25% of modern collisions are caused by someone on the phone. More than drink driving incidents.

Always Check the House

Most people admit that they don’t check the house before they leave. Especially if they mean to pop out monetarily. But it only takes a minute for someone to break a window, a candle to catch fire, or a drip to spring a leak. Therefore, it is helpful to always perform a quick check of your house before you leave. For example, close and lock windows and doors, ensure gas and electrics are switched off, and extinguish naked flames. Additionally, always arm your security system if you have one, as this is probably the most significant burglar deterrent available.

Install Smart Tech

You’ve probably heard of Alex and Siri. These are virtual AI assistants and are part of the smart tech range. Smart tech is anything interconnected with another device that learns via AI and machine learning. Great examples of smart security tech are smart security systems, video doorbells, smart locks, Wi-Fi-enabled CCTV, and voice-controlled alarm systems. These fantastic innovations operate via smartphone apps and integrate with popular assistants like Amazon Alexa and Apple Siri. They can be controlled remotely and will alert you to intrusion.