Most homeowners spend more time at home than anywhere else. It’s where they cook, sleep, and enjoy their free time. During the winter months, Calgarians spend even more hours in their home since it’s often too cold to enjoy the parks and bike trails throughout the city. Because of this, it’s important to make sure your home has all the security features necessary to keep your family safe.
Things Every Home Should Have. Regardless of where you live or if you own or rent your home, there is a small list of things you should keep in your house. A CO and smoke detector are crucial to alerting your family of a fire or gas leak. These detectors save hundreds of lives by giving people a chance to escape a hazardous building. Remember to check them annually. Every house should also have a fire extinguisher on each floor of the home. A fire extinguisher in the basement won’t help if you’re trapped in a second story bedroom. Lastly, a first aid kit should be stocked and easy to find incase of injuries. In an emergency, a good first aid kit can make the difference between life and death while waiting for an ambulance.
What Outdoor Maintenance are you Responsible for? As a Calgarian, you have certain responsibilities to perform in order to help keep everyone safe. Trees need to be maintained and pruned, so they don’t obstruct the sidewalk or interfere with overhead lines. Ice needs to be salted to help prevent falls, and snow must be removed within 24 hours a storm. These responsibilities fall on the homeowner or — if the property is rented — the current occupant.
An Escape Plan. During an emergency like a fire or flood things can get crazy fast. You need to know that everyone in your family — including your kids — knows what to do and where to go. Discuss with your family where you will meet: perhaps outside a neighbour’s home, at a nearby park, or at grandma’s house. Which ever location you choose should be easy for everyone to get to. Evaluate the bedrooms of your home. Does each of them have two escape routes? If not, it’s important to create an additional route to safety.
Whether it’s doing your part to keep the sidewalks clear for pedestrians or buying the equipment you need to keep the occupants of your own home safe, it’s a good idea to stay informed, check your security features regularly, and communicate clearly with everyone involved. If you have any questions about your obligations as a homeowner in Calgary, be sure to check the City of Calgary’s bylaws.
Interested in buying a Calgary home? I can help! Contact me today at (403) 660-5319.