Home Safety

According to personal safety expert Marc MacYoung, property crimes "make up an overwhelming majority of all crimes." And these crimes generally occur when the occupants aren't home. Locks and...

Kerosene heaters are a reliable and generally safe form of backup heat when power or natural gas fail. Kerosene heaters are small, relatively efficient and clean burning, so they are a great...

Everyone likes to feel safe at home, but true home safety requires some preparation and careful observance of a few rules. Homes are filled with hazards. Everywhere you look, there's something...

Years ago I wrote a weekly column for a Florida Web site: Housing Predictor. I was way ahead of the "foreclosure/short sale" game. I even wrote a book on the subject of financing that...

Have you ever done a fire safety risk assessment in your home? If you haven't, then you can learn to do a fire safety assessment right now. Please don't ignore this information because learning...

Brink's Home Security is now known as Broadview Security, but the company is still one of the top providers of home security services in America. That doesn't mean it is the only home alarm...

Bed bugs are a common pest in many hotels. They are an annoying intrusion in the home, particularly because they feed on human blood and produce painful bites. Despite the cleanliness of one's...

Wasps will find their way into your home through openings, cracks, wall voids, door casings and attics. Often they will hibernate in the home during the cold winter months and emerge in the spring...

With a few tools and some easily acquired skills, you can wire 12V DC security cameras. CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras are being sold at record rates and many people are realizing they...

Asbestos was one of the most common insulation materials used in buildings for most of the 20th century. It has posed many problems, however, and can be lethal. If exposed to asbestos, people can...

A flood, whether caused by a renegade washing machine or hurricane, can cause a second wave of damage if your possessions aren't cleaned quickly and properly: mold. Long-term exposure to mold also...

Mold can develop in a moist environment and may be caused by something as mundane as an unnoticed leak in water pipes or something as catastrophic as a major hurricane. Mold doesn't just damage...

Building departments nationwide have differing rules for smoke alarms. However, the National Fire Protection Association's Standard 72 is widely accepted as being the national fire code, and local...

With crime on the rise in many areas, personal safety is something for all of us to consider. Many products are currently on the market to help in the instance of an attack, and with each, a...

Most people know what a fly, centipede, flea or ant look like. These are all common bugs that can make it into your house and annoy you, with some capable of causing damage. The majority of...

Suffering from a burglarized home or office is scary and jarring: It leaves you questioning security in all aspects of your life. Although burglaries are common crimes, some are more severe and...

Wiring smoke alarms is slightly different depending on whether you are installing one alarm or interconnecting more than one alarm. Your electrical code will likely say that you have to be a...

An earthquake gas shutoff valve, also known as a natural gas seismic shut-off valve, automatically shuts off gas service to a home when an earthquake of a sufficient magnitude occurs. Installation...

Asbestos insulation was widely used as an insulation material in most residential, commercial and public buildings constructed between 1920 and 1986. It was used in construction materials...

You lock your doors, you set the alarm, and you have neighbors on watch, but can a burglar still get into your home? Here are a few tips to help keep your home safe from a burglar.

Security is never an absolute. You, as the home-owner, must ask how much time, energy and money you are willing to invest to make your home more secure against invaders of all types. This is the...

Mold can be very dangerous in the home, and if spotted or suspected, should be swiftly and thoroughly dealt with. Mold spores can cause asthma-like symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, sore...

Choosing a door lock for your home is an important decision--one that can effectively keep your home safe from thieves. Whether you opt for a dead bolt or a lock with a reinforcing plate, you can...

A wall safe can be a smart investment for anyone interested in protecting their valuables. Properly installing the safe and making sure it is securely anchored is of utmost importance because you...

You do not need a professional to install security cameras, just some basic knowledge and skills. The most important thing to keep in mind is routing your wire. If you choose your locations...

A magnetic lock is an electronic hardware device used for securing a door within a frame. As long as power is supplied to the magnet, it will stay locked. When the power is disrupted, such as...

A double deadbolt, or double cylinder lock, requires the use of a key on both sides to open or lock the deadbolt lock. There are two types of deadbolt locks available: single and double cylinder....

Your garage door is the largest and weakest door in your house. In gale force winds of 100 miles per hour, a 16-foot by x 7-foot garage door has to withstand over 2095 lbs. of inward pressure....

Warning: This is not going to be free, but if you have a few bucks stashed away, have reasonable credit (around 620), living in an apartment where you have to take a number to get into the...

Toxic black mold is a common problem in many homes, especially in areas with high levels of humidity. Mold can grow just about anywhere where there's enough moisture, but common places to find...

Most burglar alarm systems come with a series of door alarms, each consisting of two parts. The sensor itself is either mounted on the frame of the door or embedded directly into the wood. There's...

For many people, the idea of living in a city seems glamorous and exciting. While it certainly can be like that at times, there are many things to keep in mind when moving into the city.

Do you want to know how to get rid of roaches forever? Roaches in the home can be a very stubborn and disgusting problem. Many people are perplexed about how these creatures seem to survive...

Raising a heavy extension ladder can seem like a daunting task, and should certainly never be attempted by someone who is not mentally and physically capable of it. If you are unsure of your...

When you have a heavy object to lift and can not wait to get help with it, you have to resort to something. You can't just pick the object up and run. You have to figure out a way to get it done...

Although wireless intercom systems are easier to install, if you are building your home a wired intercom system still has many advantages. For example, if you are building your home in a new...

In 2008, there were more than 2 million burglaries in the United States. If you don't want to be a statistic, consider installing a video surveillance system in your home. A surveillance system...

Sulfur is often found in drinking water in the form of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas. This compound produces the highly unpleasant smell of rotten eggs in very small amounts and is especially common...

The cellar can be a breeding ground for mold. If you notice mold in your cellar, you should get rid of it immediately. Mold can quickly spread and is unhealthy. Certain forms of mold--black mold...

Live traps are an effective, humane and environmentally friendly alternative to poisons and kill-traps. Used properly, they can solve your pest problems. Inexpensive live traps, commonly used to...

People don't like to talk about the verminous insects, such as roaches, or rodents such as mice and rats. They are both filthy and carry certain diseases even. To have such infestations only...

A home security system can provide you with peace of mind that your house and belongings have better protection from burglary, especially if you're often home alone or travel frequently. While...

In the past few weeks there has been many things happening, earthquakes, tsunamis, typhons, and many more. Is it a sign that much more is coming, we will never know until it hits, all we can do is...

Using a padlock is an effective security measure against individuals with sticky fingers, but what if you've lost the key or forgotten the combination? If you're in a pinch, there is a foolproof...

Fire prevention programs require public support to be successful. Developing a thorough communication strategy for fire prevention will help shape perceptions and provoke positive action. Tap into...

Security is a priority for most homeowners. If you're looking for a way to beef up the security of your home, a security door might be the answer. They come in a variety of decorative styles and...

To keep your mdicine cabinet safe,you must keep it cleaned out periodically.You should check for expired medications as well as making sure it contains needed items in case of emergency. Pick a...

Home inspectors provide a valuable service to prospective homeowners. They provide home buyers with information that helps them make sound decisions about the safety of the home being considered....

Molds are a natural part of the environment. The microscopic spores are everywhere but, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, mold will not grow without water or moisture. Untreated...

A few years ago I was pricing safes while working a construction job. I realized they are much to expensive for the size I wanted and I began to look into making my own. I have no pictures, and my...