In general, your home is a safe place. However, there are always risks. More than 20,000 people in the US die yearly from accidental injuries that happen at home, approximately one in every thirty-six homes in the US will be burglarized this year (that’s one home every 15 seconds), and seven people die each day in home fires. There are other home related perils like falls, CO poisoning, and indoor pollution. The good news is that by incorporating just a few of the tips below, your home can be even safer than it is now. Sounds easy, right? It really is easy. Most home safety tricks are really just common sense put into action. There is no singular action or product that will protect you. Instead, home security is a plan. It’s multiple pieces working together designed to keep you as safe as possible. Here are 100 tips to make your home a safer place.

HOME SECURITY TIPS

1 – Get an Alarm System

90% of convicted burglars state that they want to avoid homes with an alarm system and if they encounter an alarm, they would leave. Other statistics show that 74% of uncompleted burglaries are thanks to an audible alarm. Alarm systems work.

2 – Permit Your Alarm

Own an alarm? Make sure it is permitted with your city if required. This helps the police department and will help you avoid potential fines should they respond to your unregistered alarm. In some cities operating an alarm system without a valid permit is a misdemeanor. That means you could face a hefty fine and even potential time in the county jail.

3 – Add Window Sensors

Window sensors are also known as open/close sensors. When added to a window or a door, they can alert you if unwanted activity occurs. They can be part of a home security system or a home automation system. Most systems will allow you to create cause and effect actions. For example, if your door opens after midnight sound an alarm or if your door opens while you are away send you a text. Protecting the perimeter of your home is a great step toward home security.

4 – Add Glass Break Sensors

Glass break sensors are handy in a room with lots of windows. Let’s pretend that you are monitoring a room with 13 windows. Each door/window sensor (as described above) sells for around $40 or $520 total for all 13 windows. On the other hand, a glass break sensor can monitor the entire room and costs around $80. A glass break sensor monitors for the specific sound glass makes when it breaks and is a solid addition to any home security system.

5 – Add a Security Sign

If you aren’t in the market for a full blown security system, a security sign might be the next best thing. Burglars are looking for easy targets and the threat of a security system may be enough to detour them. Be sure to use a legitimate sign, they won’t be fooled by a phony.

6 – Add Security Stickers

More than likely a burglar will start at your door and see your security sign but there is a chance that he might start at a window. I suggest that you add security alarm stickers to all first floor windows for added protection.

7 – Add a Security Camera

Security cameras can work with a home security system or they can stand alone. They work to detour criminals and also to help catch them. Time and time again, the security camera has helped bring justice to victims of home burglaries.

8 – Turn Old Cell Phones into Security Cameras

There are lots of free apps that can turn your old phones and tablets into security cameras. One of my favorites is Camio.

9 – Create a Burglar Decoy

Most burglars don’t want to hang out at your house. They want to get in and out as soon as possible but they also want a profitable visit. Why not make this easier on them by creating a decoy box? Fill a box with some cash, costume jewelry, and maybe a few papers to shove in your sock drawer. Chances are that a burglar will check the sock drawer in the master bedroom, grab the box, and go.

10 – There is a Right Way to Answer the Door

Everyone in your house should know the right and the wrong way to answer the door…especially children. Children should not answer the door at all unless you’ve explicitly told them that you are expecting company. Often, it’s people that we know that can be dangerous. I could point to many recent news articles but I want to keep this article as light as possible. If you don’t know who is at the door, let them know that you ARE home but not accepting visitors. It’s better to be safe than polite.

11 – Add a Door Brace
A door brace is a highly underutilized home security device. It is usually bolted to the floor behind an entry door. When in the locked position, it can help a door sustain several hundred pounds of blunt force. Think someone will kick down your door with a door brace in place? Think again.

12 – Got a Lock? Use It.

Around 30% of burglaries are no forced entry. Do you know what that means? That means that someone left the door open! It may seem simple but you have to actually do it for it to work. Locking your doors and your windows will definitely improve your home’s security.

13 – Don’t Put a Picture of Your Key on Facebook

In another article I explained how it’s done, “Hop on a website, take a couple of pictures of your house key, pay $7, submit your email address, and you can order a spare set of keys over the internet.” Putting a picture of your key on the internet is like handing over the key to potential intruders thanks to this new technology.

14 – Secure Sliding Doors

A sliding glass door will take more than a lock as by nature they aren’t overly secure. You can secure a sliding glass door from sliding vertically by using a metal or wood rod to reinforce the door. Another good tip is to add a jimmy plate. A jimmy plate will prevent a burglar from being able to lift the door off of its tracks.

15 – Reinforce Door Jambs

A sliding glass door may be weak but surprisingly, front doors can be weak too. In general the weakest points on a door are the lock, jamb, and the hinges. For this reason we suggest reinforcing all three points with a product like EZ Armor.

16 – Add a Peephole

Most police departments suggest the addition of the all mighty peephole and I tend to agree. It’s a $25 piece of home security gold. A good peephole will provide a wide-angle view at your future guests so that you can decide to let them in…or not.

17 – Don’t Rely on Chain Locks

A chain lock is definitely your grandma’s home security. While they are somewhat useful for privacy, a peephole is a safer option. Please don’t rely on chain locks for security. They just don’t work.

18 – Install a Deadbolt

A deadbolt can help secure your home. I recommend that you install a single cylinder deadbolt on all exterior doors. It is recommended that bolts have at least a 1” throw.

19 – Consider Installing a Safety Door

I love a good screen door. I really do. But they are just not functional from a security perspective. A good alternative is a safety door like the Secure Elegance from Lowes. I had this door at my old house and plan to install one where I live now. You can beat it with a baseball bat and it will hold thanks to KeepSafe Glass®. At the same time you can still enjoy the sun on a beautiful day! I do recommend having this door professionally installed. Lowes can hook you up.

20 – Use Window Film

Front doors with side pane glass are tricky. They are pretty, hard to replace, but add an additional home security complication. One of those complications is privacy. At night, you can see right through these windows. While it’s good that you can see other people, it’s bad that they can see you. For just a few dollars you can add decorative window film to solve the problem.

21 – Shut Your Blinds at Night

Lights on? Dark outside? Keep your blinds shut. You would be surprised by how many burglars take advantage of that key time of night when they can see straight into your home.

22 – Make Porch Lights Automagical

At night, a peephole may not do the trick. My suggestion is to add automated porch lights. What that means is up to your interpretation. You could add motion based lights or you could setup a system that allows you to turn on your lights at sunset and off at sunrise.

23 – Light Up the Dark

Yes, we’ve already mentioned porch lights but I’m talking about moving beyond porch lights. Lighting up your backyard with motion lights may be enough to scare away intruders. Also, make sure all exterior areas of your home that could be used as a point of entry are well-lit.

24 – Trick People with Light Automation

Light automation is a great way to make your home look lived in. In fact, companies like BeON have based their entire home security model around light automation that mimics your at-home behavior. Other home automation companies allow you to create custom schedules or even behaviors like turn on lights if motion is detected or turn off lights when I’m not at home.

25 – Trick People with Noise

Former burglars have divulged that they abandoned an attempted burglary after hearing a TV or other sound. Why not try to trick them by simulating the same? There are inexpensive products on Amazon that mimic the lights of a television or you could even give your home a voice using products like Sonos.

26- Invest in a Smart Doorbell

Smart doorbells can act as your eyes and ears. When someone rings your doorbell, you can use the equipment to visually confirm who is at the door from your smartphone. Some products also feature two-way communication which is especially handy when you are not at home but want to appear that you are.

27 – SHUT THE Garage Door

Next to a door, the garage is the second most common point of entry for a burglar. Simply keeping the door shut while mowing, playing outside, or even running in to grab a forgotten item can greatly improve your home’s security. An open door is an open invitation. Just make sure that it’s an invitation you want to extend.

28 – Lock the Linking Door

If you have an attached garage, lock the door between your house and the garage. So many people leave this door unlocked and yet it’s an entry to your home just like any other. It doesn’t take that much time to lock and unlock the door, you could even add an automated lock that will unlock as you approach with your smartphone in pocket.

29 – Don’t Leave Openers in the Car

If you do own an attached garage but it’s so packed with junk that you can’t use it, do not leave your car in the driveway with the garage door opener in it. Cars are easy to break into and once that happens you’ve put your home security at risk by leaving a key to your home in the car.

30 – Change Your Locks

It may be time to change your locks unless you know everyone that has ever had a key to your home. This applies to renters who should demand a new lock from their landlord and also to homeowners. Another option is the keyless lock. Smart locks are a good option as you can give out temporary keys to workers and keep track of who is coming and who is going.

31 – Double Check When Workers Leave

If you let workers like a cleaning crew into your home, check all doors and windows to make sure they are locked after they leave. Many previous burglars admit that they first gained entry into a home as an invited guest. It would be nothing for a worker to leave a door or window unlocked for easy entry into your home later on.
PERSONAL SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

32 – Learn CPR

Knowing how to properly perform CPR saves lives. Period. Wondering in what situations you should and should not perform CPR? When I took the class I was taught that when in doubt, perform CPR. If CPR is not performed, it takes three to four minutes for a person to become brain-dead due to a lack of oxygen. Learn how to perform CPR and the Heimlich. Please.

33 – Make a Free Panic Button

IFTTT is a free app that connects different web services. They’ve also created the ability to make a “DO button” which makes a great panic button. You can set up the DO button to perform a one touch action like call for help, post to social media, or whatever it takes to keep you safe.

34 – You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out

BB guns and pellet guns are not toys and should be treated with the respect of a weapon. Keep them in secure storage and supervise use to help reduce the risk of injury. The use of such weapons leads to almost 22,000 injuries each year.

35 – Get a Weapon

The most important part of owning a weapon is keeping it in a secure place away from children. The second most important part is learning how to use it and by practicing every few months. More than likely you will never need to use a weapon but in the event of a home invasion, a weapon may be your best bet.

36 – Tornado Preparedness

Preparing for disasters may seem a little paranoid but it’s smart. Disasters can strike in an instant. One way we suggest preparing is by creating a tornado safe room. This room should be window free and stocked with emergency supplies like food, water, medication, and an emergency radio.

37 – Add Bike Helmets to Your Storm Room

If you live in a tornado prone area, keep bike helmets in your safe place to protect those pretty cabezas.

38 – Setup Free Weather Alerts

Many companies offer free severe weather alerts that can be sent straight to your phone. Also, many local cities and counties have emergency services that will text you if local emergencies occur. I suggest that you sign up for both so that you can stay ahead of the game.

39 – Join Your Neighborhood Watch

Join the neighborhood watch or start your own. There is nothing like neighbors looking out for neighbors. Many neighbors now have their own Facebook page which can also be used to voice safety concerns or suspicious activity.

40 – Automate Your Neighborhood Watch

Through IFTTT, a free app that connects web services, you can automate your home to alert your neighbors. Calling the police is great but if you live in suburbia you might have more luck asking all your noisy amazing neighbors to check on your place. For example, let’s say that you are using SmartThings door and window sensors and you are on vacation. You can set up an IF recipe that says, “If front door is opened, post to Facebook”. Yup. You’re place would be safe.

41 – Check with your Local PD

Find out if your local police department offers free home security checks and take advantage of the service. Many police departments will provide a survey or an assessment with suggestions for security improvements. Some PDs offer free vacation checks in which they will stop by to check on your home while you are on vacation. These are all free services that we should use.

42 – Medical Safety Devices for Older Family Members

If you live with a grandparent or help care for an older loved one, it’s wise to invest in a medical safety device. Medical Safety devices are different from home security systems and the two technologies are not interchangeable. Medical Safety systems often include wearable panic buttons that are with the person 24/7. If a fall or emergency occurs, that person can use the wearable to call for help.

43 – Keep an Emergency Supply of Water

Water is needed for survival. I would say it is more important than food. With that said, you should always be prepared for the worst case scenario. It is recommended that you store at least one gallon of water per person for three days.

44 – Keep an Emergency Supply of Food

You should also keep a four day supply of food handy. I like to stock things like Cliff Bars and bean soups which are calorie packed and store for a long time. If you have a baby you should also keep prepared baby food on hand.

45 – Keep an Emergency Radio Handy

Radios may be obsolete technology but they can still come in handy during an emergency. Invest in a battery operated or hand cranked AM/FM radio. Also consider investing in a NOAA radio. This will help you stay up-to-date on hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and more.

46 – Aspirin for Heart Attacks

I am not a doctor but a drug that I think most should have on hand is Aspirin. If someone has a heart attack you should call 911 and then bring them aspirin and water. Chewed aspirin works faster than a swallowed pill and is what I suggest for your emergency medicine cabinet.

47 – Keep a First Aid Kit Handy

Pretty straight forward right? Also, some items in a First Aid kit do expire. If you own one it may be worth looking through to see if certain items need to be replaced.

48 – Put Up Your Numbers

Make sure your street address number is visible from the street during the day and at night. Should you need help in an emergency, this will aid emergency responders who want to find you quickly. The faster they find your house, the faster you get help and in an emergency every second counts.

49 – Signup for Smart911

Smart911 is a free service used by select 911 agencies. Through Smart911 you can set up a family profile with pictures of each family member, information about the family member, medical information like drug allergies, pet information, and pictures. In the event of an emergency the information you put into the tool will be shared with emergency responders.

50 – Setup Family Watchdog

Another free online service is called Family Watchdog. This website is geared more toward tracking sex offenders. You can also use the service to sign up for free alerts to keep updated as sex offenders move into or out of your area.

51 – Use Discretion on Social Media

Do you really need 1000 friends? Let me ask it this way…do you really want 1000 people to know everything about you? At the very least, do not let the social media world know that you are on vacation for two weeks while your house sits vacant.
INDOOR SAFETY

52 – Use GFCI Outlets

About 200 people in the US die of ground faults each year and that is exactly what a GFCI outlet tries to prevent. GFCIs are required by code in certain rooms. If you own a newer home you’ve probably noticed them in your kitchen and bathroom or areas that are prone to moisture like a crawl space. If you have an older home you can add a GFCI receptacle for about $10 and it’s a worthy investment.

53 – Invest in Safety Gloves

If you like to slice and dice you should invest in no cut safety gloves, which can be found on Amazon. There’s nothing like a little slice to the finger – YIKES!

54 – Perform a Radon Gas Test

Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. It may be in your home and you don’t even know it! The only way to know for sure is to test your home. The EPA and the Surgeon General both recommend testing for all homes and also 1st or 2nd floor apartments. You can buy a radon gas test from Amazon.

55 – Lock The Unusual

Locking the front door seems pretty brainless but most people do not think to lock things like gates, sheds, and garages which can be susceptible to a quick grab and run. I suggest investing in a good lock for all three items or even adding an outdoor video camera to keep an eye on things.

56 – Lock Up Your Drugs and Weapons

I hope this one is common sense but just in case…if you are using medication or own weapons please keep them locked up.

57 – Sometimes Poison Looks Like Food

Keep household cleaners and medications out of the kitchen and away from food. Cough drops look like candy, pills look like candy, shaving cream looks like whip cream! It can be a confusing decision for a kid so it’s best to make that decision for them by keeping poisonous products out of reach.

58 – Add Sensors to Monitor Locked Up Things

To that point, an open and close sensor can be used to help you monitor things that should be locked up. An open and close sensor can send an alert if someone sneaks into the liquor cabinet or the gun safe. You can event setup alerts on your phone without paying a monthly fee.

59 – Add Flood or Freeze Sensors

Another danger to the home is flooding or frozen pipes. You can help manage this through home automation. Freeze sensors and flood sensors can be placed to monitor for temperature and or water. If an event is detected you will receive a notification so that you can help mitigate the problem before things get out of hand.

60 – Scrub-A-Dub-Dub Stay Safe in the Tub

If you have kids there are two times that it might be tempting to take a break: bath time and snack time. Though they seem self-entertained during these times, kids are not self-sufficient enough to self-supervise. Things can go from good to bad quickly in both of these situations due to the danger of drowning and choking.

61 – Add Slip-Resistant Mats to the Bath

I know they are ugly and may remind you of your great-grandmother but adding slip-resistant mats inside and outside of the bathtub or shower can greatly reduce the chance of a fall for you and others in your house.

62 – Indoor Hot Water Shouldn’t Burn

Did you know that you can adjust the temperature of your water? Setting the water heater thermostat to a temperature below 120°F will reduce the risk of burns and scalding.

63 – Install Bathroom Grab Bars

Bathroom handholds inside of the bathtub or shower are important for the older generation. Falls are a common cause of death for older people and the bathroom can be a slippery place.

64 – Cellphones Chargers May Choke Kiddos

Cords are dangerous for little ones. Most people think about the major cords like those on window blinds but phone chargers and laptop chargers can be an after thought. These cords are dangerous too and should be kept off of the ground.

65 – Keep Charged Cellphones Around

You may want to consider keeping your charging or charged cell phone near your bed. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to keep multiple charged cell phones around the house. Why? So you can call for help if you need it. Pretty simple.

66 – Cover Those Outlets

Plugging up electrical outlets is pretty much common sense at this point. However, it’s time to kick it up. Old school covers are hard to use and can turn into potential choking hazards as they require that you remove them when ready to plug something into an outlet. A better option? Using a sliding cover. Sliding covers remain plugged into the outlet all the time. They are easier to use and keep small parts out of the house.

67 – Watch Out for the Stairs

In the US, every 6 minutes a child visits the ER due to a stair fall related injury. The problem is real. The best way to keep kids safe is by using a stair gate. Stats thanks to the Center for Injury Research and Policy. For the older generation, the best way to prevent falls is to make sure the stairway is well-lit and that carpet is pulled tight. While you’re at it make sure that path to the restroom is safe as well.

68 – TVs Are Dangerous Too

Wall-mounted TVs look good and they are safer than setting a TV on a stand. Securing your television to the wall reduces the possibility that it might be grabbed by little hands.

69 – Take Home Maintenance Seriously

Don’t let the projects pile up. Some home maintenance issues can be safety issues. Think carpet that no longer lies flat (tripping hazard), smoke alarms with old batteries (fire hazard), burnt out light bulbs (safety issue), mold (health issue), and other things that we’ve already covered like overgrown bushes. Keeping your home in tip top shape will make it a safer place to be.

70 – Add a Safe

Valuables like birth certificates and passports should be kept in a fireproof safe that is bolted to the floor. If it’s not bolted down there is a good chance that a burglar may grab it and take it even if they don’t know the contents.

71 – Create a Home Inventory

A home inventory is recommended by multiple home insurance agencies. The finished list can be kept in your fire proof safe or in the cloud so that is safe and separated from your home just in case.

72 – Invest in an Etching Pen

There are multiple ways to mark property. I’ve always found the notion a bit odd but marking outdoor equipment and things that are more likely to get stolen might prevent a thief from selling your goods on the open market. An etching pen is used to literally mark or engrave a unique identifier onto the property.

73 – Teach Internet Safety

A computer is a window to the outside world which makes it a potential safety hazard in your home. If you have children, teach them how to properly use the internet this includes avoiding weirdos and avoiding fishing scams and pop-ups. In general, children should also be reminded that offers for free anything on the internet should not be trusted and that they should never give out personal information.

74 – Secure Your Wireless Network

You wouldn’t leave your door unlocked and open would you? So why would you leave your wireless network open? Burglars come through the front door and hackers through unsecured wireless networks. Hackers can be just as destructive as burglars as they can steal credit card information, bank information, and more. Setup a strong username and password and follow tips by home network experts.

75 – Smart Home? Use Smart Passwords

The same goes with smart home gadgets. Just because you can plug and play doesn’t mean you should. Make sure you choose challenging passwords for your smart home devices and rotate them. Using a secure wireless network and a strong password protected device will minimize your risk of a hacked home.

76 – Use a Password Vault

Who doesn’t love a good online shopping spree? Can you imagine how many passwords you have online? One for email, Amazon, your bank, your mortgage, your kid’s lunch account, your blog, your favorite pizza restaurant. It’s ridiculous really but would be even more ridiculous if you used the same password for each site. A better solution is to use an online password vault like LastPass or KeePass. These tools can help you generate strong and unique passwords and also store them in a master vault.

77 – Invest in Surge Protectors

Surge protectors protect your electronic devices from surges of electricity like those caused by lightning strikes. These surges can literally fry your electronics causing thousands of dollars worth of damage.
FIRE SAFETY

78 – Check with the Local Fire Department

Not be outdone by the police, local fire departments often provide free services to homeowners including fire safety checks and even free smoke alarm programs.

79 – Don’t Hot Box the House

Is hot boxing only for marijuana? I’m not really sure but in this case I mean anything that smokes. For heaven’s sake, if you are going to smoke, smoke outside! Not only is this a health issue but it’s a fire hazard as well. The United States Fire Administration says that smoking is the leading cause of home fires with over 7,600 smoking related fires each year.

80 – Blow Out the Candle

Candles are cool but leaving them burning unattended is a fire hazard. If you can’t stand to sit still long enough to babysit a candle you may want to swap out candles for something that doesn’t need babysitting like essential oils.

81 – Fire! Close the Door!

According to fire expert Gary Watlington, it’s not the flames that kill people in home fires, it’s the smoke or asphyxiation. If there is a fire in your home, close the door. This might save your stuff but will also help potentially save your life.

82 – Buy a Fire Ladder

If you own a two-story home, please invest in a fire ladder (available on Amazon). Today’s homes have these beautiful open air floor plans and lots of stuff which also makes them burn faster. When a fire occurs, you have very little time to escape and a fire ladder can literally be a life saver.

83 – Sprinkler Systems Save Lives

The NFPA found that fire sprinklers reduced the risk of fire related deaths by 83%. If you own a sprinkler system keep it turned on, even during the winter. The risk of frozen pipes should not outweigh the fact that a sprinkler system might save your life.

84 – Smoke Alarms Save Lives

The NFPA says that 60% of all home fire deaths were in homes without smoke alarms or in a home where there was a smoke alarm that didn’t work. Adding a smoke alarm to each floor of your home and in every bedroom is an easy way to keep your family safe.

85 – Get the RIGHT KIND of Smoke Alarm

There is a right and wrong kind of smoke alarm. Fire Chiefs everywhere are asking for a recall on ionization smoke alarms suggesting that it does not detect the type of fire most likely to kill people. What should you buy instead? Photoelectric technology. Period.

86 – Add a CO Detector

Some smoke alarms are smoke/CO combos but if your smoke alarm cannot detect Carbon Monoxide (CO), you should add a separate detector. CO is a silent killer and at the very least can may you feel terrible.

87 – Add a Heat Sensor or a Connected Smoke Alarm

We’ve talked about adding a smoke alarm and adding the RIGHT smoke alarm and they are in the correct order of importance. If you want to take it to another level, add a connected smoke alarm or a heat sensor. Heat sensors can be set to detect rapid increases in heat like in the event of a fire and because they are connected you can set up alerts. Alerts can be sent to your phone or to your email depending upon the type of system you have. If you have a monitored system, alerts can also be sent to a central monitoring agency who will call for help on your behalf. This can be handy if you want to keep an eye on things even when you are not at home.

88 – Invest in a Fire Extinguisher

In my opinion, fire extinguishers are best for small kitchen fires. It is wise to invest in one but even wiser to learn how and when to actually use one. In the event of a fire you should first evacuate your family, then you can try to use a fire extinguisher to take out a small fire but only if you’ve read up on the ins and outs of using one.

89 – Space Heater Safety

Space heaters are another fire hazard. A good space heater should have built-in safety features like tip over protection. Also, you should never leave a space heater running unattended and it should be in an area free of debris.

90 – Don’t Multi-Task While Cooking

You’re busy. I get it. You have fried chicken on the stove, laundry in the dryer, you’re helping your kids with homework, and your boss is texting you about the meeting tomorrow. As awesome as it is that you can multi-task, kitchen fires are more common than you might think. One way to keep your family safer is to never leave food on the stove-top unattended. This is especially important if you have little hands around that are long enough to reach up and pull down.

91 – Use a Fireplace Screen

If you are lucky enough to have a wood burning fireplace, a fireplace screen can be an important safety investment. Keep a screen in front of open fireplaces. A screen can help prevent sparks from getting on the floor (potential fire hazard) and also keep little hands away from the hot fire (burning hazard).
OUTDOOR SAFETY

92 – Add Mulch to Your Swing Set

If you own a swing set or other outdoor play equipment, you should consider adding 12” of wood chips or mulch to create a soft layer that may help lessen the blow of falls.

93 – Grill Safety

Grills are another potential fire hazard. They should never be used in apartment buildings or on balconies. The best spot to use a grill is on a concrete patio type surface that is at least 10 feet away from other flammables including landscaping and your house.

94 – Lawnmowers Throw Sticks and Stones…

A beautiful day, kids on the lawn, fresh cut grass… Sounds like the American dream doesn’t it? Pretty much but make sure that grass is cut before the kiddos come out. Mowing your lawn while the kids are out playing is dangerous. The lawnmower can throw rocks and sticks. Be careful! You’ll poke your eye out.

95 – Pools Are Cool But

Drowning is a real and present danger for all but especially children. Even if you don’t have children it’s wise to be part of the solution. The best solution is to install a four sided fence that is at least four feet high. Installing a four-sided fence reduces a child’s risk of drowning by 83% compared to using a three sided fence.

96 – Fence in Your Yard

To that point, go ahead and fence in the whole yard. A solid fence with a good side-yard gate can help keep out unwanted intruders. Also, make sure to invest in a gate that locks and keep it locked.

97 – Clean Up Your Landscaping

Don’t give a burglar a place to hide. Clean up overgrown landscaping and keep bushes trim. While you’re at it, keep your walkways picked up as well. This isn’t so much for burglars but for you! You don’t want to create a tripping hazard for you or your guests by cluttering up walkways.

98 – Plant Landscaping with Safety in Mind

Another good tip is to plant thorned plants near windows. My mother had a massive rose bush below my window when I was a little girl. I’m not sure if that was because of my name, to keep bad guys out, or to keep me in…..

99 – Don’t Supply Burglars With Tools

Keep things like ladders and tools picked up and put away. You do not want to provide burglars with the tools they need to break into your home.

100 – The Best Defense

The best defense is don’t be there. Don’t be in your home. Totally kidding of course. What I mean is don’t associate yourself with people or situations that might come back to haunt you. Live a clean life. Don’t get messed up with drugs, drama, or crime. That’s easy to control in your own life but remember that this also applies to people that you associate with.