Protecting yourself and your family is indeed a daunting responsibility. Having safe room in your home is one way to help you sleep better at night. A safe room is a room constructed to withstand extreme weather events such as tornadoes or hurricanes. They can be purchased pre-fab from a slew of manufacturers so that you can retrofit your home to accommodate them.

The best-case scenario is to include a safe room in your new house construction. The HousePlanShop has quite a few plans that include safe rooms. Many locate them in or near the garage, like designs 025H-0097 and 025H-0308. House plan 074H-0042 offers a safe room doubling as a storage room, perfect for storing emergency supplies should you experience a disaster. Several plans like 025H-0167 locate a safe room in the master closet, providing a dual purpose for using the space. It’s a natural place to collect and huddle with the children on a stormy night.

A panic room is designed to hide and protect residents in case of a home break-in. If you ask any Construction Law Specialist like Greg Trif, they will advice to have a little bit more elaborate than basic safe rooms, containing communications and security equipment. Some even incorporate Kevlar in their construction to repel bullets. Hidden behind bookcases or in closets, the casual observer does not easily detect them. You may want to combine some of the characteristics of both safe and panic rooms to create a truly safe place to shelter in place during emergencies. Make sure family members are aware of how to access the room and discuss when they should meet there. Practice your plan.

Below is a list of supplies you may want to include in your safe room:

Bottled water
Changes of clothing
Blankets
Flashlights or lanterns
Battery operated radio / weather radio
First aid kit
Nonperishable food and snacks
Set of car keys to your vehicle
Cash
Toys or books to keep kids occupied
Phone charger for when the power comes back on
Camping toilet and paper
Diapers for your baby
Medications
Extra pair of sturdy shoes for each member of the family

This article brought to you by The HousePlanShop, LLC, the home of the best selling house plans from the best designers!

Tags: residential safe rooms

With warmer weather on the way, many of us will be spending more time in our yards, buts sometimes we get so busy that it is hard to keep up on everything around the house especially around the yard. Don’t let an unexpected danger ruin your backyard fun this spring or summer. One of the easiest ways to prevent any issues is to hire a professional fencing company. With the right fence you should not run any risk of a stranger jumping into your yard and stealing anything you may have left out there. A good vinyl fencing company will be able to provide a fence that provides the security you need while at the same time being aesthetically pleasing.

Take just a moment to review these tips for keeping your yard safe for everyone.

If you need to add a fence on your house you’ll need a company like https://www.qualitybuildingsupplies.co.nz/ which makes the best installation process relatively quick & easy

Also to avoid flood on your yard through out the rainy season you’ll need A Class Grates that provides you a variety of types of grates.

1. Keep the grill 10 feet away from the house and other objects.
2. Never leave an unattended fire in the fire pit or grill.
3. Install a fence around pools and hot tubs, try using wood fencing in morristown nj services.
4. Make sure no one swims alone in pool.
5. Wear protective goggles and ear protection when using outdoor machinery.
6. Let the mower engine cool before refueling.
7. Keep children inside when grass is being mowed.
8. Put ladders away after use.
9. Keep chemicals and garden tools away from children’s reach.
10. Tighten and cover bolts on play equipment.
11. Anchor trampolines and play sets.
12. Seal wooden decks and porches.
13. Before you install a fence, make sure what you want and what type of design you are heading for.  If you’re looking to block noise or add privacy, you will want something tall and solid. If you already have a fence but it´s pretty worn down then contact this gate repair service.

This article brought to you by The HousePlanShop, LLC, the home of the best selling house plans from the best designers!

Tags: backyard safety, lawn and garden tips, safety tips

October 8, 2014 is International Walk and Bike to School Day. If your children will be walking or biking to school on Wednesday, take some time to go over our pedestrian safety tips with them.

1. Always wear a bike helmet when riding a bike.
2. Use crosswalks with crossing the street or cross at street corners.
3. Be aware of the cars around you. Stay alert for those that are turning, backing up or pulling in and out of driveways.
4. Be sure to use sidewalks when available. If there is not sidewalk, travel on the shoulder of the road and face the oncoming traffic.
5. Avoid using electronic devises when crossing the road.
6. If you must use a cell phone while walking or biking, stop and find a safe place to use it.
7. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing so that you know that they see you.
8. Pay attention for cars backing out of driveways or out of parking spaces as well as those that are turning.
9. Do not enter the street from behind parked cars. The parked car will block you from the view of oncoming drivers.
10. Be alert for cars moving in or out of driveways.
11. Wear light or reflective clothing especially if you must be out walking/biking after dark.
12. Stick with your normal walking/biking route or use only parent approved alternatives.

For children aged 5 to 19, pedestrian injuries are the fifth leading cause of injury-related death with teens accounting for half of those deaths. Take time to walk around the neighborhood with your kids and set a good example. Only walk or bike routes that you’ve approved for them to travel when you are not present. Make sure they know the safest routes. Provide them with reflective clothing or reflective stickers for backpacks and book bags. Remind them to speak up and warn others if they notice another pedestrian in danger.

This article brought to you by The HousePlanShop, LLC, the home of the best selling house plans from the best designers!

Tags: bike to school day, pedestrian safety tips, safe pedestrians, safety tips, walk to school day

Whether it’s jogging, walking the dog, or running to catch a bus, all of us join the ranks, sooner or later, of the most vulnerable users of the road. Thousands of pedestrians are injured or die every year along our roadways. As we look forward to National Walk to Work day on April 4, 2014, review these reminders of how to keep yourself safe on the road.

1. Use the Crosswalk – Of course everyone remembers the rule about not crossing in the middle of the block, we just need to remember to follow it. When crossing at busy intersections don’t assume drivers will yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.

2. Increase Visibility – During the day wear light or bright colors. Add reflective clothing at night and carry a flashlight to help you see and to be seen by motorists.

3. Use Sidewalks – Take the sidewalk whenever one is available. If a sidewalk is unavailable and you must walk in the street, walk on the side facing the oncoming traffic.

4. Be Aware – Avoid the distractions of using electronic devices. Keep headphone volume low enough to still be able to hear what’s going on around you. If you have a particularly distracting phone call or text, stop a moment in a safe place to attend to it.

5. Walk Defensively – It’s no different than what you do when driving. Keep an eye out for cars displaying erratic behavior or speeding. If the driver is too preoccupied to control his vehicle, he is not watching out for you.

6. Don’t Drink and Walk – Okay that may sound like a joke or a cliché, but seriously, a third of pedestrians killed in traffic accidents are legally drunk. Alcohol impairs judgment and slows reaction times. Well, you know the drill, just don’t do it.

So if you choose to walk to work on April 4^th or any other time you opt to walk instead of drive or take the bus, remember to follow these pedestrian safety tips. If you fall while doing this, you should try to figure out what caused it. Was something spilled? Perhaps you were walking outside a business and slipped on soap water that they dumped to clean the sidewalk, or that had been previously used indoors. Consult with a slip and fall accident attorney, and tell them what happened. Be sure to also answer their questions truthfully. Even if what happened is different to the example I described, you might still have a case. See what your attorney has to say, and follow their recommendations.

This article brought to you by The HousePlanShop, LLC, the home of the best selling house plans from the best designers!

Tags: pedestrian safety tips, pedestrians, safety tips, walk to work day

The days grow shorter and the nights become colder, and before you know it the holidays are upon us. Even small household accidents become tragedies when they involve your family or guests. Entertaining overnight guests may create a little extra stress for the household. Take time to prepare your home for the holidays, so everyone can be nestled all snug in their beds.

1. Prepare the Family – With all the excitement of pending visitors, every household member needs to know what to expect. Try to keep the everyday routine as normal as possible. Remind everyone of the changes that may have to be made to keep the guests comfortable and safe. This may mean giving up a bed or room to grandparents or putting toys with small parts away where toddlers can’t reach them. If guests will be coming and going while you are not home, you may need to inform the neighbors so that there will be no problems with mistaken identity.

2. Prepare the Guests – Once your visitors have arrived, review your family emergency escape plan with them. Show them where the fire extinguishers and first-aid kits are kept. Keep essential phone numbers nearby or program their cell phones. If it’s necessary to use a space heater, instruct them on its safe operation. If they will be on their own in the kitchen, review the workings of appliances like the stove, toaster, and coffee pot.

3. Prepare the House – Keep the outside walkways clear of snow and ice and also well lit. Remove any hazards that could cause tripping like throw rugs or runners. Locate nightlights to help nighttime navigation. Use nonslip mats in the bathtub and install grab bars if necessary. To protect youngsters, lock up anything toxic, like cleaning supplies and medicines. If you are not used to having children around, you may need to seek help in childproofing the house. Inspect smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working.

4. Prepare the Decorations – Consider using flameless candles. If you must light up, keep candles high enough that pets and children can’t reach them but away from draperies and curtains.  Place extension cords away from foot traffic, but do not place them under carpeting or area rugs. Be aware of the placement of glass ornaments so they are away from both pets’ and toddler’s reach. Refrain from using tinsel around pets and children as it can be toxic. Be aware that some holiday plants like poinsettias can be poisonous. Check with your guests about allergy information.  Your beautiful live Christmas tree could cause them constant sneezing and wheezing.

Keeping these tips in mind, we wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season!

This article brought to you by The HousePlanShop, LLC, the home of the best selling house plans from the best designers!

Tags: Christmas, holiday safety, holiday safety tips, home safety tips, tips for holiday guests