Whether you've just moved into a brand new home or have lived in the same place for years, maintaining your home to safeguard you and your family is of the utmost importance. Should a dangerous situation arise, such as a fire, fall or another accident, you want to know that you have the proper tools to address it and get your family to safety.

To help you out, we’ve compiled a home safety checklist that will help you prevent these dangerous situations in your home.

1. Fire Evacuation Plan   

Hold a family meeting and make a fire evacuation plan [ http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/safety-in-the-home/escape-planning/basic-fire-escape-planning ]. This plan includes how to escape your home from any room, where to meet after and what to do next. Once you have a plan, practice it with your kids so they know what to do in case of an emergency.

2. Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers should be stored in easy-to-reach locations. A good place to put them in close to where most fires start; the kitchen. Remember to check your fire extinguishers at least once a year and replace them every ten years.

3. Smoke Alarms

You should install a smoke alarm on every floor in your home, testing them once a month to ensure they work and replacing their batteries twice a year.

4. Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odourless, and poisonous gas. These detectors will let you know if there are high levels of carbon monoxide in your home. Test and replace the batteries in these every time you change your clocks. It's a good idea to check all your safety gear in your home at the same time.

5. Emergency Numbers

Keep a list of emergency phone numbers close to the phone. These numbers should include 911, poison prevention line, doctors, relatives, neighbours and friends. Make sure your children know where the list is and how to use your phone.

6. Ways to Prevent Falls

Falling is a common cause of accidents in and around the home. To prevent falls in your home, keep the following in mind.

Good Lighting

To keep your family from tripping over things, increase visibility by having a working outdoor light at all entrances. The exterior is not the only place to keep well-lit; indoor hallways and entrances should have good lighting as well. Consider plugging night lights into hallway outlets for those late-night bathroom trips.

Get Rid of Clutter

Keeping your walkway and stairway free of clutter is a smart way to decrease the potential for people to trip and fall. Clutter can be toys, snow, leaves and ice. These should be removed in a timely fashion.

Inside the home, it is important that high-traffic areas and stairs are free of obstructions as well.

Get Some Traction

To keep your feet firmly on the ground, choose flooring with good traction. Make sure all rugs and mats are securely in place. If your floors are made of wood, wear slippers or socks with grips on them. In the shower, place a rubber mat so that you don't slip.

Install and Maintain Handrails

When walking, one way to help people stay stable is by having handrails. These are important to have in the shower, and in every staircase inside and outside your home.

7. Proper Storage

If you have children, you know they can get into things quickly. They might not know what they're playing with and can easily get hurt or sick. To keep that from happening it's important to keep these dangerous things out of reach:

• all chemicals: bleach, cleaners and paint thinners, and flammable materials
• all medications and pill boxes
• all household products and chemicals: cleaning products, paint, and alcohol
• cosmetic products: nail polish remover, creams, mouthwash and perfumes
• any small objects to prevent choking
• lighters, matches and candles

8. Electrical Issues

To reduce the risk of injury, make sure to check for frayed wires and fix any that are sticking out. If you have small children, place plastic safety covers over any unused outlets.

If you live in an older home, it's important to have your wiring checked by a licensed electrician. When changing a light bulb or doing any work on the electricity, make sure you remember to turn the power off to avoid any zaps.

9. Home Heating

If you have a fireplace or wood stove, make sure you're using dry seasoned wood and inspect the stove on a regular basis for any build up. To keep chimneys safe and clean, hire a professional cleaner and do so annually.

10. Burglarproof

Burglars want to keep a low profile and follow the path of least resistance. The harder it is for them to enter your home, the less likely they will keep trying. If you're away, keep your house looking lived-in. This means having your mail collected, lawn cut, and leaving a few lights on inside.

To make it harder for burglars to get in, buy a metal bar to put into the tracking of sliding glass doors.

Fast-10 Checklist:

• Have a fire evacuation plan
• Working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors
• Reachable emergency contact list
• Fire extinguisher in reach
• Get rid of clutter and secure carpets
• Add grips to stairs and bathtubs
• Keep all dangerous items out of reach or in a locked cupboard
• Check all your electrical outlets
• Clean your chimney once a year
• When you're away: make it look like you're still home

Safety comes first. To make your house feel like home, it's important to dedicate the time to make it as safe as it is beautiful. Remember to revisit our "fast-10 checklist" periodically to make sure everything is up-to-date! 

Photo credits: checklist, home security, emergency contact