Ways to Enhance Home Safety for $100 or Less

Home safety and security can’t be overlooked. However, alarm systems, privacy fences, and tech-connected devices can be costly. If your budget would be burdened by these and other big investments, don’t assume that you have to live in an unsafe house. There are many ways you can enhance the safety of your entire property without watching a ton of your money wave goodbye, whether you’re buying safety equipment on eBay or turning down your hot water heater.

Here are several ideas that will cost you less than $100.

Install a smoke alarm.

If you don’t already have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home, you need to grab these items ASAP. Mr. Electric explains that having functional smoke detectors can cut your chances of dying in a fire in half. You don’t have to use top-of-the-line models as all detectors have to meet certain standards. Check a large retailer like eBay for new safety equipment, including smoke alarms. Before you start bidding, check for eBay promo codes and coupons online. Keep in mind also that many fire departments provide smoke detectors for free; call and ask about this before you make a purchase. 

Add safety bars in the shower. 

For around $20, you can pick up a set of grab bars at Lowes or Home Depot. These are pieces of plastic or metal that mount into the studs in or next to your bathtub. Keep in mind, however, that grab bars are only as safe as their installation. While suction-cup options are available, these may do very little to stop you from falling if you slip on the shampoo.

Make sure your exterior lights work. 

Light the night, and you get protection in two ways. First, having a well-lit property makes your home less attractive to burglars. Second, lighting can keep you from bumping into and tripping over things like bikes and wayward toys. If you have floodlights and you are not using them, you should definitely start. Change the bulbs regularly, and switch to a motion-sensor light bulb if you don’t want the lights on all night. You can also add solar floodlights strategically around the house if you don’t already have fixtures in place. LED Watcher recommends the Guardian 580X, which costs around $55.

Turn your hot water temperature down. 

Something as simple as washing your dishes after dinner can send you to the hospital with a burn injury. And children under five are at a high risk of burn-related injuries. According to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, emergency rooms across the country see 300 kids each day because their home’s water temperature was set higher than 125°. Lowering the thermostat will cost you nothing and may actually save you money on your utilities.

Prioritize safety on the stairs.

Ideally, the handrails on your stairs run the entire length of the incline, and you should always have a gate at the top of the stairs when young children are in the home. In addition to this, make sure that the carpet or carpet runner is pulled tightly. Deck stairs should be lit – you can pick up solar stair lights for about $10 each – and painted surfaces should be recoated with paint mixed with a bit of sand to provide better traction in wet conditions.

Your home’s safety is comprised of both its security and features that reduce the possibility of injuries. And even if you don’t have thousands of dollars in your budget to devote to home safety, there is no reason to ever feel vulnerable. A few quick weekend projects and a $100 bill can help you tackle many of your most pressing concerns. 

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