Your home is set up exactly how you like it, with everything in its place. But when friends or family come to visit – and let’s face it, everyone loves to visit Florida – you may need to consider some short-term changes.
It is important to see your space with new eyes and to accident-proof those areas that may be of concern, whether for elderly relatives or small children. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
You may even discover some tips that are great to incorporate in your everyday life, whether you have visitors or not!
Here are some tips to make sure this year’s visit is happy, healthy and safe!
- Watch the Water: Florida law requires some form of barrier around your pool. In reality, accidents still happen – so incorporating several layers of protection is recommended. If you will have children visiting, install locks on all doors that are beyond their reach. Make sure that the alarms (which beep when a door is opened) are operational. Install a baby gate around the pool itself, and add a motion sensor to the water which will set off an alarm in the home if the water is disturbed. If you expect to be having children visit frequently and live on a lake, look into your HOA’s rules for a fence.
- Beware of Slick Surfaces: Many coatings in garages are exceptionally slippery when wet. When the door is opened for a car, rain can make the surface very slick. Consider non-stick strips, especially close to the garage door. Also be aware of tile surfaces at entranceways, which can be very slippery under wet shoes.
- Throw Away the Throw Rugs: While a decorative favorite for many, throw rugs are notorious for causing people to trip and fall. They may be especially tricky to navigate for an elderly visitor. Small children running through the home can also fall easily if the rug slides. If you don’t want to get rid of them entirely, consider putting them away during a family visit or secure to the floor.
- Protect the Stairways: If your home has two floors, consider installing handrails on both sides of the stairway for additional stability – important for children and adults. If young children are visiting, invest in a sturdy baby gate they will not be able to open or push over.
- Traditional Baby Proofing: Your decorative flair sometimes has to take a backseat to safety. Remove anything at child level that you don’t want them to throw, put in their mouth, or break. Entice them instead to a temporary playspace – a corner of the room that has outlets covered, nothing to climb on, and lots of colorful, fun toys to explore playing with. Baby-lock all cabinets, and secure anything that may fall over.
- Choose Alternative Ambiance: We all love candles, especially during the holidays. But open flames draws children in, and they can be easily burned. Keep all candles above their heads, or better yet – don’t light candles until the little ones are asleep. Electric candles are a great option.
- Bathroom Renovation: Retrofit one bathroom to be safe for your elderly relatives. If one of your bathrooms already has a walk in shower, that is a great choice. You can install a grab bar next to the toilet and in the shower, place towels on a rack or bar right next to the shower/bath, as well have a shower chair handy in case it is needed. Make sure surfaces are non-stick, for young and old alike.
- Night Lights: Be sure that a visitor has access to a night light in their room, in their bathroom, and down any hallway, they are likely to walk. Although you know your floorplan perfectly, they do not.
Conducting a thorough walk-through of your home before guests arrive is a prudent measure to ensure safety. See your home through their eyes, and recognize that you can never really be too careful.
The Manatee County team of insurance experts at Anderson & Associates hope that you have a fantastic, safe time with your family and friends.
If we can help you to further protect your home and family with comprehensive, affordable plans, give us a call.
