ADT® Authorized Dealer Serving York & Surrounding Areas

Home Safety Checklist For York

Keeping safe and secure in your home should be your largest concern. But are you missing a few big safety components? Look over this home safety checklist for York and find out where your living space can use greater attention.

This guide starts with some whole-house safety techniques, and then we break it down room-by-room. Then, phone (717) 256-1592 or complete the form below for additional information.

Whole Home Safety Checklist

Essential Home Safety Checklist for York

While you will want to employ a individual room approach to home safety, there are some items that work for the whole-house approach. These devices can link with one another through a wireless hub, and can even respond to other components. You can also manage every one of your home safety devices with a smartphone app, such as ADT Control:

  • Monitored Home Security System: Each one of your entryways should use a sensor that alerts your family to intrusion. When an alarm triggers, your monitoring expert responds to the alert and quickly contacts the police or fire department.

  • Smart Bulbs For Most Rooms: Of course, you can program your smart lights so your house is more eco-conscience. But they can also allow you to keep safe in an emergency. Have your downstairs lights flash on when a sensor triggers to scare off burglars or light a path to a safe place.

  • Smart Thermostat: Like your smart lights, a smart thermostat in York could save you between 10%-15% in gas and electric spending. But it also can flip on the exhaust fan if you have a fire.

  • Monitored Fire Alarms: At the very least, you will have a fire detector on each level of your house. You can improve your fire preparedness by hanging a monitored fire detector that senses unusual smoke and heat, and notifies your 24/7 monitoring experts when it detects a fire.

  • Smart Door Locks: Every entryway that needs a keyed lock can use a smart lock. Now you may set codes to family and friends and receive alerts to your phone when they are unlocked. Your smart lock can even automatically open, helping you to quickly flee the house when you have a fire or other emergency.

Family Room Safety Checklist

Living Room/Family Room Safety Checklist For York

You’ll hang out most in the living room, so it can be the most reasonable area to start making your home safer. Highly sought after items, like a TV or stereo system, typically are located in your family room, making it a tempting room for burglars. Begin with placing a motion detector or indoor security camera in your room, then take a look at some of these safety protocols:

  • Motion Sensors: By hanging motion sensors, you’ll have a loud siren if they detect unusual motion in your family room. The best devices are motion sensors that aren’t set off by pets or you’ll see an alert each time your cat comes in for a midnight stroll.

  • Indoor Camera: An indoor security camera offers a visual on your family room. Watch real-time streams of your room so you can find out what’s downstairs from the mobile app. Or chat with family members in the room using the two-way talk feature.

  • Surge Protector/Cord Maintenance: Safeguard those electronics and quit overburdening your outlets with a surge protector. For additional convenience, set up a smart plug with a surge protector built-in.

  • Furniture Attached To The Wall: If you have babies or toddlers, you’ll need to bolt your bookshelves and entertainment center to a wall. This is especially important if your living room uses rugs or carpet that could make objects extra unstable.

  • Special Locks For Glass Doors: If your family room has a sliding glass door that leads to a backyard, deck, or outside porch, you probably get that the lock is pretty flimsy. Use an enhanced lock, like a cross bar or locks that bolt to the bottom and top of the frame.

Kitchen Safety Checklist

Kitchen Safety Checklist For York

Your kitchen has many items that should bring safety to your house. Many of these items are also simple to add and can be found in the Target or Walmart:

  • Fire Extinguisher: A fire can spring up from a neglected frying pan or a towel that’s too close to a burner. Always store a fire extinguisher in close reach for any cooking mishaps.

  • Circuit Interrupter Box On Every Outlet: A GFCI outlet should be installed everywhere they’re by running water to prevent electrocution. That includes the plug outlets by your sink and kitchen counter. Since the late ‘80s, it’s been standard to have one circuit interrupter outlet per dedicated circuit. But for simplicity’s sake, you’re going to want to use an unchained GFCI on each outlet.

  • Monitored Carbon Monoxide Detector: A CO detector is advised for kitchens that employ natural gas for the oven and stove. If your gas burners malfunction, the CO detector will cause a loud, buzzing siren and call your monitoring professional.

  • Cleaning Wipes Or Spray: The largest safety hazard in the kitchen is actually bacteria and protein from blood from meat and other foods. Always store antiviral wipes or spray to sanitize your counters when preparing food.

  • Freezer and Refrigerator Alarm: The food items in your fridge should stay at a chilly temperature to be ready to use. If you accidently leave the freezer or refrigerator door open, then a small beep will tell you to close the door. Some appliances already have a pre-installed alarm, others don’t, and you’ll have to pick up an external alarm from the store.

Bathroom Safety Checklist

Bathroom Safety Checklist For York

Just because there’s not a bunch of room in your bathroom, you will still have safety issues. From flood prevention to electric safety, here are some safety improvements for your bathroom:

  • Flood Detectors: A leaking sink or tub can create an expensive amount of destruction. Deal with pooling water early with a flood detector and save hundreds to thousands of dollars from renovations.

  • Non-slip Bath Mats: A slip and fall in the bathroom can be a painful occurrence, causing pulled muscles, sore joints, or broken bones. You can steer clear from these hazards with a textured bath mat for after your bath or shower.

  • No-slip Bathtub Stickers: Another water hazard, a tub basin can be a slippery area to stand in. Make sure each has some textured stickies so your toes have a rough patch to gain traction.

  • Medicine Door Latch: If you have young toddlers or someone with memory complications, you should take additional attention regarding medicine. Hide away your bottles by getting a medicine cabinet with a latch that locks.

  • Circuit Interrupter Outlet: Similarly to the kitchen, you should also install a safer GFCI outlet on each bathroom outlet. These will cut the electric current if they ever get wet or you have an unusual spike from an electric razor or hair dryer.

Child's Bedroom Safety Checklist

Kid’s Bedroom Safety Checklist For York

Your child’s bedroom should balance safety with simplicity. If their window shades or other things are safe but difficult to operate, then your child may perform risky activities -- like climb a chest of drawers -- to open them. Here are 5 easy, yet safe, ideas:

  • Cord-Free Window Coverings: Safety experts have designated window treatment cords a secret hazard for kids and pets. Use motorized shades that kids can easily open and close with a remote control. Or better yet, connect your shades to your ADT security system so they rise automatically when it’s time to get up, and go down in the evening for an easier sleep.

  • Tableside Security Camera: An indoor security camera perched on your child’s dresser can double as a baby monitor that you can see with your phone. And when they want you, they can use the intercom talk button that comes with the camera.

  • Outlet Plug Covers: While each outlet should use covers on them to protect your young children, this is doubly important in their bedroom. It’s the one room in your home where your toddler will most likely play solo without constant adult supervision.

  • Window Escape Ladder: If you have bedrooms on above the first level, then you will want to install a window escape ladder. These can help a child get out of their room in case the stairs or ground floor are on fire. Just remember to practice how to unfurl the ladder one or two times a year.

  • Toy Box Or Low Bookshelves: It’s weird to view a toy box as a safety component, but you’ll get it if you’ve ever walked on a building block in your stocking feet. A clutter-free floor gives your child a quick escape if there’s a fire or break-in.

Master Bedroom Safety Checklist

Main Bedroom Safety Checklist For York

The main bedroom should be a refuge, so let your safety items make life easier when you have an emergency event. After all, being wrenched awake by a wailing alarm can be quite a shock.

  • Smart Hub Touchscreen: Having a touchscreen on your bedside table lets you see what’s going on without getting out of bed. You could alternatively turn on your ADT smartphone app but, the large touchscreen may be faster to use when you’re coming out of sleep and disoriented.

  • Device Charging Area: We rely on our cell phones for almost everything now alarm clocks, news readers, games, and maybe even phones. However, a depleted device will cut us off from reaching help if there’s a problem. To make sure your phone always works, a charging station or cord is should be used nightly.

  • Nightlights Or Voice Activated Smart Lights: A tiny light can calm you when you’re jolted awake from an alarm or other sounds. If you won’t drift off to sleep with a nightlight, put in smart lights in your bedroom and hall. Then you can have light simply with a mobile device or vocal command.

  • Fireproof Safe: Stash your vital paperwork like birth certificates, medical information, or a spare checkbook in a fireproof safe. This can be a large one that camps out in your closet or a small portable lockbox that you can grab as you escape during a fire or break-in.

  • Heat Sensor: The problem with bedrooms is that they can run too warm or be cold because they are far away from the thermostat. A temperature sensor will talk to your smart thermostat so you should have a comfortable, restful sleep at just the right climate.

Garage Safety Checklist

Basement/Garage Safety Checklist For York

Most safety problems in the basement or garage deal with your water or furnace. Seeing problems at the source can stop larger disasters in the future. So, as you look around your garage or basement, take note of these safety items:

  • Water Detector Or Sump Pump Alarm: Installing a flood alarm in back of your water heater or sump pump can save you from discovering a pond when you go into your garage or basement. It’s sure better than sorting through a bunch of soiled storage boxes.

  • CO Alarm: It’s smart to hang a CO detector in areas where a CO leak can occur. If you have a gas furnace, you should install an alarm in the same area as your HVAC unit.

  • Remote Water Shutoff Valve: If your flood alarm finds a hot water leak or a busted pipe, then you will want to cap the main water valve quickly. With a remote shutoff valve, you can turn off your water flow from any mobile device. That’s perfect when you’re on vacation and see a water leak notification on your smartphone.

  • Garage Door Sensor: Leaving the garage door open brings about all types of problems. You can lose a bunch of HVAC energy through that open door, and rodents or intruders can just walk in. A sensor will alert you to an open garage door and lets you lower it through the app.

  • Heat Sensor: A temperature alarm in your garage or basement is a definite if you fret about freezing pipes. The heat in these areas can be drastically different than the main part of the home, so you may want to keep a constant look on them by using the ADT mobile app.

Outside perimeter checklist

Home Perimeter Safety Checklist for York

Your front yard, drive, and front step are just as crucial to make safe as the inside of your house. Try this checklist to defend your perimeter:

  • Outdoor Security Camera: You can hang outdoor security cameras to notify you about late night activity in your back yard. These cameras are nice in places where you might not have a view -- like a side yard or by the garage door.

  • Window Height Shrubbery: Overgrown foliage can create some solitude, but they also block you seeing into the outside. Don’t give potential intruders a place to hide. Plus, large bushes or trees too close to your home can obstruct gutters and bring in bugs.

  • ADT Signage: One of the largest disincentives for home intrusion is advertising to aspiring rogues that you have an updated security system. An ADT yard stick by the front door and a window decal will show people that they ought to move on to an less prepared score.

  • Motion Controlled Porch Light Fixtures: Light is the biggest enemy to people who skulk in the unlit places. Motion-triggered lights on your porch, garage, or deck can help scare lurkers away. Flood lights also help you see the walk when you come back home late at night.

Use Secure24 Alarm Systems To Help Complete Your Home Safety Checklist for York

While Secure24 Alarm Systems can’t install each household item on your York home safety checklist, we can discuss a powerful security system. With easy-to-use devices and ADT monitoring, we can customize the perfect system for your home’s needs. Simply phone (717) 256-1592 for more information or fill out the form below. Or personalize your own solution with our Security System Designer.