ADT® Authorized Dealer Serving Sugarland & Surrounding Areas

Home Safety Checklist For Sugarland

Staying safe and secure in your residence should be your number one priority. But are you overlooking a few useful safety components? Use this home safety checklist for Sugarland and see where your house needs an update.

This guide starts with some whole-home safety ideas, and then we break it down to specific room ideas. Then, you can call (281) 502-5306 or send in the form below to get your house set up.

Whole Home Safety Checklist

Essential Home Safety Checklist for Sugarland

While you will want to employ a room-to-room process for home safety in Sugarland, there are some things that work for the entire house approach. These components can talk to each other through a touchscreen hub, and oftentimes react to other things. You can also control every one of your home safety devices using a mobile security app, like ADT Control:

  • Monitored Home Security System: Each one of your entryways should employ a sensor that warns your family to intrusion. After your alarm triggers, your monitoring agent answers the call and contacts the police or fire department.

  • Smart Lighting For Every Major Room: Of course, you can set your smart lighting so your house is more eco-conscience. But they can also help you stay safe throughout an emergency. Make your smart bulbs flip on when an alarm goes off to shoo off burglars or brighten the way out to a secure place.

  • Smart Thermostat: Like your smart lights, a smart thermostat in Sugarland could save you 10%-15% in utility spending. It also can flip on the exhaust fan if you have a fire.

  • Monitored Fire Detectors: At the very least, you should have a fire detector on every level of your house. You can increase your fire readiness by hanging a monitored fire detector that looks for unusual smoke and heat, and notifies your 24-hour monitoring experts when it detects a fire.

  • Smart Lock For Every Door: Every door that needs a keyed lock can be made safer with a smart door lock. Now you can preset key codes to family and friends and get notifications to your smartphone when your locks are activated. Your smart lock can even automatically turn off, allowing you to quickly flee the house during a fire or other emergency.

Family Room Safety Checklist

Family Room Safety Checklist For Sugarland

You’ll spend a lot of time in your living room, so it may be the best place to kick off your home safety optimization. Electronics, like a big screen or stereo system, usually reside in your living room, making it a popular area for burglars. Start with hanging a motion detector or security camera in there, then try all these ideas:

  • Motion Detectors: By hanging motion detectors, you’ll have a loud siren whenever they sense unusual movement in your living room. The best devices are motion sensors that aren’t set off by pet movements or you’ll have a tripped alarm every time your dog roams by for a bite of food.

  • Indoor Security Camera: An indoor security camera offers an eye on your family room. Get real-time streams of the area so you can know what’s downstairs without leaving your bed. Or speak with family members in the living room using the two-way talk feature.

  • Surge Protector/Cord Maintenance: Make sure you protect all your electronics and quit overloading your electric system with a surge protector. For extra convenience, use a smart plug with anti-surge functionality in the unit.

  • Entertainment Center Bolted To The Wall: If you have babies or toddlers, you’ll need to attach your heavy furniture and entertainment center to a wall. This is extra crucial if your living room has carpet that could make furniture extra unbalanced.

  • Special Locks For Glass Doors: If your family room uses a glass door that opens to a deck, patio, or outside porch, you already can see that the lock is pretty worthless. Install a special lock, like a cross bar or locks that bolt to the top and bottom of the opening.

Kitchen Safety Checklist

Kitchen Safety Checklist For Sugarland

Your kitchen has plenty of items that can bring safety and security to your house. Most of these things should be simple to add and should be purchased from the grocery store:

  • Fire Extinguisher: Fire can come from from an unwatched skillet or a faulty burner. Always have a fire extinguisher at hand for any cooking mishaps.

  • GFCI Box On Each Outlet: A GFCI outlet should be used anywhere there’s nearby running water to lessen the chance of electrocution. That means the plug outlets close to your sink and kitchen counter. Since the late ‘80s, it’s been standard to have one GFCI per dedicated circuit. But for simplicity’s sake, you’ll want to use an unchained GFCI per outlet.

  • Monitored CO Detector: A CO detector is recommended for spaces that use gas for the stove and oven. If your gas appliances malfunction, the carbon monoxide detector will cause a loud, buzzing noise and contact your monitoring center.

  • Disinfectant Wipes Or Spray: The most overlooked safety issue in the kitchen is the viruses, bacteria, and contamination that comes with uncooked meat and other foods. Always store antiviral wipes or an antibacterial spray to clean your surfaces when cooking.

  • Refrigerator/Freezer Alarm: The items in the fridge should stay at a chilly temperature to stay safe to eat. If you leave the freezer or refrigerator door ajar, then a constant beep will tell you to close the door. Some appliances already have this installed, others do not, and you’ll have to buy a fridge alarm from the store.

Bathroom Safety Checklist

Bathroom Safety Checklist For Sugarland

Just because you don’t a bunch of square footage in your bathroom doesn’t mean that there aren’t safety concerns. From flood prevention to medicine care, here are five safety tips for your bathroom:

  • Flood Sensors: A leaking toilet or tub can cause extensive damage. Deal with leaks early with a flood detector before they generate hundreds of dollars in ruined floors, walls, and fixtures.

  • Non-slip Bathroom Mats: A slip and fall in the bathroom can be painful, causing bumps, bruises, or broken bones. Or prevent these problems with a non-slip bath mat for after your bath or shower.

  • No-slip Bathtub Stickers: Likewise, a tub can be a slick area to be on. It’s a good idea that every bathtub has some no-slip stickers so your feet and toes have a rough patch for stability.

  • Medicine Door Lock: If you have young children or anyone with memory lapses, you have to take additional care regarding prescribed medicine. Safeguard your bottles by using a medicine cabinet with a latch that locks.

  • Circuit Interrupter Outlet: Similarly to the kitchen, you need to also use a grounded circuit interrupter outlet on every bathroom receptacle. This will shut off the electric current if water splashes on them or they experience a sudden jolt from a hair dryer or curling iron.

Child's Bedroom Safety Checklist

Children’s Bedroom Safety Checklist For Sugarland

Your kid’s bedroom should pair safety with manageability. If their window shades or other things are safe but difficult to manage, then your kids may try unsafe activities -- like shimmying up a dresser -- to touch them. Here are some straightforward, and safe, ideas:

  • Cordless Window Coverings: Safety experts have designated cords from shades and blinds a hidden problem for kids and pets. Use motorized blinds or shades that your child can easily manage through a remote control. Or better yet, pair your motorized coverings to your ADT smart hub so they rise on a schedule when it’s time to get up, and close in the evening for extra privacy.

  • Tableside Security Camera: An indoor security camera sitting on your toddler’s desk can act just like a high tech baby monitor that you can see from your phone. And when they need something, they can use the 2-way talk button that comes with the camera.

  • Outlet Plug Covers: While each outlet should use outlet safety caps on them to protect your small children, this is especially important in their bedroom. It’s the main place in your house where your child will most likely be by themselves without constant adult supervision.

  • Window Escape Ladder: If you have bedrooms on an upper floor, then you should install a window escape ladder. These will let a child escape in case the stairs or ground floor are engulfed in smoke and fire. Make sure to rehearse how to unfurl the ladder one or two times a year.

  • Toy Chest Or Low Bookshelves: It’s interesting to view a toy box as a safety item, but you’ll see the light if you’ve ever tramped on a Lego in your socked feet. A clean floor gives your child a quick retreat when there’s a safety or security event.

Master Bedroom Safety Checklist

Main Bedroom Safety Checklist For Sugarland

The master bedroom should be an oasis, so let your safety components make you more responsive if there's an emergency. After all, being startled awake by a high-decibel alarm can be disorienting.

  • Smart Hub Touchscreen: Having a touchscreen on your bedside table lets you see what’s what that noise was without jumping out of bed. You could always log into your ADT phone app. However, the HD touchscreen can be easier to manage to use when you’re yawning and finding your bearings.

  • Device Charging Station: We depend on our cell phones for so many things now GPS, internet searches, games, and --legend has it-- even phones. But, an uncharged cell can cut us off from communications if something goes wrong. So, a an easy-to-use charging station becomes an essential.

  • Smart Lights Or Nightlights: A small light can be a beacon when you’re bolted awake from a fire alarm or other loud noises. If you can’t fall asleep with an outlet light, use smart bulbs in your bedroom. Then you can control light anytime with a button push or voice direction.

  • Fireproof Lockbox: Stash your essential documents like insurance cards, passports, or banking information in a fireproof lockbox. Your safe can be a big one that camps out in a corner or a slender portable lockbox that you can snatch when you leave during an emergency event.

  • Heat Sensor: The problem with a master bedroom is that they can feel too stuffy or be chilly since they are far from the thermostat. A temperature sensor can communicate to your smart thermostat so you should have a comfortable, restful sleep at the perfect temperature.

Garage Safety Checklist

Basement/Garage Safety Checklist For Sugarland

Most safety issues in the basement or garage are with your water heater or furnace. Finding issues at the source can prevent more devastating problems in the future. So, as you look around your garage or basement, check over these safety items:

  • Water Sensor Or Sump Pump Alarm: Placing a flood sensor next to your water heater and sump pump can stop you from discovering a lake when you step into your basement or garage. The last you need is to spend the weekend bailing out water and sorting through all those ruined boxes.

  • CO Detector: It’s smart to hang a carbon monoxide detector in a place where a natural gas leak can occur. If you employ a gas furnace, you should put an alarm in the same room as your HVAC unit.

  • Remote Water Shutoff Valve: If your water sensor finds a plumbing leak or a broken pipe, then you will have to cut off the main water pipe quickly. With a remote shutoff valve, you can block water flow from your phone. That’s nice when you’re out of town and see a flood sensor notification on your mobile device.

  • Garage Door Sensor: Leaving the garage door open causes all types of issues. You can waste heat or air through that open door, and rodents or lurkers can just wander in. A sensor will notify you about a neglected garage door and lets you lower it remotely.

  • Heat Sensor: A temperature sensor in your garage or basement is handy if you fret about freezing pipes. The heat in these rooms can be drastically different than the rest of the house, so you will need to keep a closer eye on the temp through your mobile app.

Outside perimeter checklist

Outside Perimeter Safety Checklist for Sugarland

Your foliage, driveway, and front walk are just as important to secure as the interior of your home. Try the items on this checklist to make your outside safe:

  • Outdoor Camera: You can hang outdoor security cameras to guard against unusual activity in your yard. These cameras are nice in areas where you may not have a window installed -- like a side yard or by the driveway.

  • Low Bushes: Tall foliage can offer some serenity, but they also obscure your view of the yard. Don’t provide potential intruders an area to hide. Plus, tall shrubs or trees against your structure can jam up gutters and summon bugs.

  • ADT Signage: One of the largest disincentives for home intrusion is alerting potential intruders that you use a state-of-the-art home security system. An ADT yard sign by the main walk and a window decal will tell lurkers that they ought to move on to an easier house.

  • Motion Activated Porch Lighting: Light is the largest enemy to people who sneak around in the dark. Motion-controlled flood lights on your porch, garage, or deck can shoo possible intruders away. Lights also help you see the walk when you arrive home on those dark, winter nights.

Call Secure24 Alarm Systems To Help You Finish Your Home Safety Checklist for Sugarland

While Secure24 Alarm Systems can’t help you with non-security devices on your Sugarland home safety checklist, we can install a powerful home security system. With alarms, security cameras, and home automation, we can customize the best system for your home’s needs. Just call (281) 502-5306 to get started or fill out the form below. Or personalize your own system with our Security System Designer.