Home Safety

Purr-fect tips for keeping kitty happy

Mary McCoy — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0800

Aside from serving as excellent fodder for hilarious clips on YouTube, cats are wonderful pets. As long as they have opportunities to bond with their humans and explore a safe environment, they are usually easy to please.

The best dogs for women who live alone

Diane Mallek — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 04:09:00 -0800

If you live alone, safety ranks pretty high on your list of priorities. From a home burglary to becoming a victim yourself, it’s nearly impossible to completely let your guard down. So what is a single gal to do to avoid becoming a criminal’s prey? You can start by getting a dog. Whether you’re looking for an alarm, a deterrent or a companion, we'll help you figure out what type of dog is best.

Home security on a budget

Heather Barnett — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 03:38:00 -0800

If you’ve always wanted your own home security system, but weren’t willing to drop the monthly cash on a service, wait no more! You can install your own home security system — complete with cameras you can access while you’re away.

Natural disasters: How to prepare yourself

Tyler Kurbat — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 08:15:00 -0800

Hindsight is 20/20, but if we didn't learn anything from natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy, they'd be that much more disastrous. Here are some disaster preparedness tips and considerations that can help in light of any future hurricanes or emergencies.

Safe exploring: Tips for your new crawler

Vicki Clinebell — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 13:58:00 -0700

Once baby starts crawling, it's full speed ahead so take precautions to rid your home of safety hazards.

Summertime fire safety tips

Selena Dehne — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 09:40:00 -0700

Fire safety may not be at the forefront of your mind as you’re grilling burgers or shopping for fireworks this summer. Sure, you may be aware that grills and fireworks pose threats, but you may be surprised at just how often simple mistakes lead to devastating fires that result in death, injury and property damage.

Safety first: The safe home guide

Vicki Clinebell — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:27:00 -0700

Many accidents and injuries that happen at home are preventable. Safety tips remind us of home hazards to correct!

What to do if your oven catches fire

Katherine Martinelli — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:30:00 -0700

If you’ve ever tried to roast a duck or cook something with a lot of grease in your oven, then you may have experienced a flame-up. These can be scary but are easily put out with these easy steps.

4 Reasons you should use video surveillance at home

Michelle Maffei — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:00:00 -0800

You protect your house from intruders when you're away, but did you know you can use the same technology to keep your kids safe when they're at home? From keeping tabs on your kids with webcams while playing to spying on your sleeping baby without waking her, uncover four reasons why you should use video surveillance at home.

Be prepared for an earthquake

Laura Willard — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:45:00 -0700

Earthquakes don't just occur in California! Nobody on the East Coast anticipated the recent earthquake and fortunately, damage was minimal and life wasn't greatly disrupted. But what if a serious earthquake hit? Are you prepared? Check out our tips for preparing for an earthquake -- just in case.

How to help your family feel safe after a break in

Michelle Maffei — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 11:51:00 -0700

After a home break in, the feelings of violation and fear can be overwhelming. So, how do you make your family feel safe in your own home when you've been robbed? From home security measures to seeking help for your loved ones, get tips on how to help your family feel safe after a break in.

Celebrate National Night Out

Katie Kavulla — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:15:00 -0700

This year's National Night Out is scheduled for August 2, when neighbors come together to talk about how to make their neighborhood safer to live in, get to know each other better and most of all, to have fun! Here are all of the details you'll need to participate in National Night Out in your community, as well as ways to make it a blast.

6 Baby-proofing tips for your kitchen

Laura Willard — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:30:00 -0700

The kitchen is a central part of your home -- where meals are prepared and often shared. But it can also be a very dangerous place for babies and toddlers. Whether you have a baby on the way or a curious toddler, read our kitchen baby-proofing tips to make sure your kitchen is kid-safe!

How and why to replace an electrical outlet

SheKnows Living Editors — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:18:00 -0800

Electrical outlets in walls and floors can be shock and electrical fire hazards. Where does the danger come from? Find out here -- plus get tips on replacing your outlets.

5 Must-have high-tech home gadgets

Lauren Fairbanks — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 08:17:00 -0800

Admit it: You've long dreamed of the day when robots assist in your day-to-day chores and you run home appliances remotely from the office or the road. Good news: The day is here! Here are five upcoming and just-on-the-market home technologies that will keep your home better organized and, best yet, a safer place to live.

Home safety tips for the holiday season

Karen Hawthorne — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:53:00 -0800

Great food, drinks and hanging mistletoe are key elements of entertaining -- indulgence allowed -- but safety is too often overlooked. So make a safety list and check it twice with these simple home safety tips.

Top holiday gifts for home

Michele Borboa, MS — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 09:54:00 -0800

Whether you’re buying for the home decorating maven, home gadget lover or home cleaning queen, the following holiday home gifts will make your holiday shopping quick, easy and very pleasing. We’ve got something special for everyone.

Pottery Barn recalls lamp due to electrical shock risk

Meagan Morris — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:58:00 -0800

The Pottery Barn is recalling three lamp models for an electrical shock risk. Find out more about the recall and if you own one of the affected lamps.

Social media safety tips when traveling

Karen Hawthorne — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:24:00 -0700

You arrive at your hotel room and throw open the curtains. There it is, the most fantastic view on the planet. This is far too impressive not to share, so what do you do? Whip out your wireless device and begin to tweet or update your social network profile, proclaiming your undying love for your vacation locale. Just one problem. Now you’ve let the whole world know you are out of town. Before you update your social media status, consider these safety tips on social media sharing.

10 Safety tips for amateur DIY home projects

Michele Borboa, MS — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:00:00 -0700

Home improvement accidents send hundreds of thousands of people in the US to the ER each year. And, as more and more people are tackling do-it-yourself home improvement projects to save money, home safety needs to be part of their home improvement plans. Whether you’re an amateur or veteran DIYer, Underwriters Laboratories -- the industry leader in safety testing and certifications -- encourages you to take the following safety precautions before climbing up that ladder or switching on that power tool.

Preparing a family disaster plan

Kathy A. Johnson — Sat, 22 May 2010 04:27:00 -0700

From flooding to earthquakes, hurricanes to wild fires and tornadoes – natural disasters are a fact of life in many parts of the country. If you happen to live where you don’t need to prepare for a tornado or hurricane, you may still find yourself facing a fire or a chemical emergency. For any disaster or emergency, being prepared is crucial for keeping your family safe. Here’s how to prepare a family disaster plan that will help you weather a natural disaster or emergency and its aftermath.