It seems like just yesterday that we were welcoming the start of summer. And now it is officially fall. The kids are back in school, and before we know it the weather will be changing. It is time to plan for fall weather, fall home projects, and fall home safety.
With the start of fall comes getting back into routines. With daily schedules in full swing, Master Lock is reminding us not to forget about safety with helpful advice and reliable products.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when thinking about fall safety.
Lock up Outdoor Living Items
In the summer we may spend a lot of time outside. We have patio furniture, toys, pool accessories, flower pots, landscaping lights, and more. With fall the weather changes, we spend less time outside and the weather can be unpredictable. Just over the past week or so we have had some crazy storms here in the Chicago area. The extra wind and the rain that can come with fall weather is not good for outdoor furniture. It took me a couple of sets of patio furniture to realize this. Last season our huge stainless steel BBQ actually fell over during strong winds!
Remember to cover or store your patio furniture and cushions if you live in a climate that gets rough winter weather. Also consider putting away landscaping lights. The snow can ruin them. If you have a shed, a lock like the Master Lock Magnum M175XDLF Padlock is a great choice to secure it. The Tough-Cut shackle is 50% tougher than hardened steel, making it a great choice for securing your shed, fence, gate, tool chest, garages and more.
Use a Timer & Lights When Away for Extended Periods
Just like during the summer, if you are planning a vacation over long fall weekends or holidays, remember to secure your home. Use timers to turn lights off and on at random times, and make sure that security cameras are working. Turn on outdoor lights so that doorways are well illuminated. And if you are like my family and always enter and exit through the garage you might want to secure any patio, sliding glass doors, or front doors with a Master Lock Door Security Bar.
Organize & Clean Out Your Garage
Our garage is like a temporary dumping ground for stuff before it moves to a permanent home. When we get new shipments of large articles, they sit in the garage. During the summer things like coolers, grilling accessories, pool toys, picnic chairs and other items that you use often may take up space in the garage. Fall is the time to move these things to permanent storage like the shed or basement storage area. This makes it easier and safer for your family to get in and out of your car, and makes room for those things that we love (NOT!) like a snow blower, shovels, salt spreader, and bags of salt.
If you don't already have them, add shelves to move things up off the floor, which leaves you more space.
Secure Sensitive Documents
You may have been traveling during the summer. This could mean that your passports, birth certificates and other travel documents are out. I mean… unless you are one of those people who unpacks immediately and puts everything away. And if you are, I applaud you! Also, with the start of school comes forms, forms, and more forms. Sometimes schools asks for copies of birth certificates, social security cards, utility bills, medical forms, insurance documents, and more. While you are busy making all of those copies this is a great time to ensure that all of your sensitive family documents are in a safe place. And make sure that all members of the family know how to access these documents in case of emergency. I recommend getting a good safe. Do your research, read the reviews, and pick something that fits your lifestyle.
Give Your Alarm System and Settings a Once Over
Alarm systems are a bit more complicated today. On our Vivint system we have panel door locks, and sensors that all need to be in good working order. Some of these components may have batteries. The door locks and panel will notify you if the batteries are low. However, you should test periodically to make sure that things are in great working order. And this includes checking your security cameras to be sure that you still have a clear view and that they are fully charged.
These are just some of the thoughts that come to mind when thinking about fall home safety. What are some of the things that you do to keep your family safe?
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Master Lock and part of my involvement in the Live Secure Safety Squad. All opinions are my own.
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