Home safety doesn’t start with apps, alerts, or subscriptions. It starts with the fundamentals—things that don’t depend on Wi-Fi or a monthly fee. The market is full of smart cameras, video doorbells, and motion sensors that promise peace of mind, but they’re not much use if the basics are missing. Most break-ins, fires, and emergencies are handled—or made worse—based on what you did long before anything went wrong. Here are a few home safety essentials you should invest in before you look into pricey, high-tech options.
Home Safety Essentials: Clear Exits Save Lives
Every door and window you count on in an emergency needs to open easily and quickly. Don’t wait until a crisis to find out your back door is jammed or your window’s painted shut.
Walk your house. Check every exit. Make sure each one can open from the inside without keys, tools, or extra steps. If you have kids or elderly family members in the home, walk them through the routes. Then walk it again. In the middle of a fire, there’s no time for second guesses.
Alarms Still Do the Heavy Lifting
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are still the front line of home safety. You need smoke detectors in every bedroom, hallway, and main living space. Carbon monoxide detectors should go near sleeping areas and anywhere you have gas appliances or an attached garage.
Check the batteries twice a year. Press the test button every month. Replace the whole unit every 8 to 10 years, depending on the model. These aren’t optional. They’re cheap, effective, and critical.
Fire Extinguishers Aren’t Just for Kitchens
Most homes have one tiny extinguisher under the sink—and that’s it. It’s not enough. Fires happen in garages, near dryers, on porches, and around grills. You need one on every level of the house and anywhere fire risk is high.
Check the pressure gauge once a year. Make sure it’s rated ABC (for most common fires). Keep it visible and easy to grab and make sure everyone in the home knows how to use it. Pull the pin, aim at the base, squeeze, and sweep.
Door and Window Locks That Hold Up
Smart locks won’t matter if your deadbolt is weak or your strike plate is held in by half-inch screws. Replace hollow-core doors with solid ones at all exterior entries. Use a quality deadbolt with a one-inch throw and reinforce the frame with a metal strike plate and long screws that reach the studs.
Windows should have working locks. Sliding doors need a track bar or pin lock. These aren’t expensive upgrades—they’re minimum standards.
Lighting That Works Every Time
Outdoor lighting is one of the easiest ways to deter crime. Install fixed lights near every exterior door. Use dusk-to-dawn bulbs or reliable motion-activated lights in areas that don’t need to be on all the time.
Inside, focus on stairways, hallways, and any path you walk at night. Poor lighting leads to falls, which are one of the top reasons people end up in the ER. This is about safety, not just visibility.
Include a Well-Stocked First Aid Kit in Your Home Safety Essentials
Your home should have a real first aid kit, not just a box of adhesive bandages. Include gauze, antiseptics, gloves, scissors, cold packs, and tools for handling burns, sprains, or bleeding. If you have pets or young children, stock it accordingly.
Keep one kit in the kitchen, one in the garage, and one in the car. Know what’s in each. If someone gets hurt, there’s no time to read a label or dig through a junk drawer.
Learn Where the Shutoffs Are
If a pipe bursts or a gas leak starts, you need to know how to act fast. Every adult in the home should know where to shut off the water, gas, and electricity. These should be clearly labeled and easy to access.
If you don’t know where they are, go find them now. Write it down. Teach your family. The difference between a small fix and major damage is often a matter of minutes.
FAQs on Home Safety Essentials
What’s the first thing I should check when it comes to home safety?
Start with smoke detectors. If they’re old, missing, or not working, nothing else matters.
How many fire extinguishers should a house have?
At least one on every floor, plus extras near the kitchen, garage, laundry area, and grill.
Can I install all of these things myself?
Most of them, yes. If you’re unsure about electrical work or door reinforcements, call a pro. But smoke detectors, extinguishers, and lighting upgrades are usually simple DIY jobs.
Do smart home devices still help?
Smart home devices add convenience and an extra layer of visibility, but they don’t replace the basics. Get the fundamentals right first. Then layer on tech if you want it.
How often should I review my home safety setup?
At least once a year. Walk your home, test alarms, check extinguishers, and update your kit. Make it part of your routine, like spring cleaning or seasonal maintenance.
M&T Inspection Services offers home inspections to customers in Indianapolis. Contact us to request our services.