Home Safety Activities

Home Intrusion

• A home intrusion is an unfortunate reality that can happen to anyone, so it is best to be fully prepared. Invest in strong doors. Make sure all roommates or occupants of the house close and lock all doors after leaving or entering the house. Designate a safe room where everyone can go if there is a home intrusion. Choose a room with a strong locking door, in front of which you can easily place large objects. If possible, plan an exit strategy from the safe room so that someone can leave and get help. Come up with a plan together to avoid arguing at a critical juncture, which can alert the intruder to your whereabouts.

Earthquake

• Earthquakes occur with very little warning, so it is important that all members of the household know what to do when the time comes. Occupants should rehearse running to a sturdy doorway or dropping underneath a table or other large piece of furniture. Have your family practice holding onto the furniture with one hand and shielding their eyes from debris with the other hand. Designate a meeting point for your family once the shaking has stopped; the meeting point should be indoors, as going outdoors directly after an earthquake can be hazardous. However, do not encourage family members to move from their spots if there are large amounts of debris preventing them from doing so. Instead, they should be instructed to tap on pipes or other objects to get rescue workers' attention.

Fire

• Knowing what to do during a fire can mean the difference between life and death. As with a home intrusion, all occupants in the home should plan an exit strategy -- preferably more than one in case the first one is blocked. Decide what to do with pets and designate a meeting point outside. Children should also be instructed to feel the door before exiting and never to open the door if it is hot to the touch. Practice your exit strategies with family members or roommates.

Hurricane

• While hurricanes are typically seen before they touch down, your family must still be prepared. During a hurricane, families should go underground or to the lowest level possible. All doors, both interior and exterior, should be shut and braced. If the hurricane's winds are extra strong, you should lie down and hold on to a secure object. While there is typically time to get ready before the hurricane comes, your family or roommates should still practice the procedure. If you do not have a basement, designate a safe room that has the least amount of windows and glass.