3 Safety Tips for New Construction Homes
January 8, 2019Building a custom home allows you to get a new construction home that is built to your needs and specifications. It also gives you the opportunity to build in some extra safety measures during the construction process. Your custom home builder will take care of a lot of the details for covering the basics, meeting building codes, and staying within regulations. With that in mind, here are a few safety tips for new construction homes:
1. Make Space for Fire Extinguishers
The last thing you want to think about is something horrible happening to your home and endangering your family. As much as you may not want to think about it, it’s necessary to think about how you can prepare for emergencies ahead of time. Preparation ensures your family is ready to act quickly if the worst should happen while also hoping that it doesn’t.
Home fires are dangerous and can be devastating. In addition to a basic exit plan in case one would happen, it’s also a good idea to have fire extinguishers throughout the home. This is one of the top fire safety tips for your home. Generally, it’s a good practice to have at least one on every level of your home and one in the garage. You may decide to include more depending on your custom home design. In some cases, a fire extinguisher can put out a small fire before it becomes a bigger blaze. In the case of a larger fire, a fire extinguisher can help protect you and give you the means to escape.
With a new construction home, your custom home builder will include the right number of smoke alarms in your home. You can also identify space throughout your home for fire extinguishers during the planning process and include those details in your custom home design.
2. Implement a Second-Story Fire Escape Route
If your custom home will have more than one floor, it’s also a good idea to implement a second-story fire escape route. In a good fire escape plan, there are at least two ways out of every room identified. Thankfully, you can do more than just have a plan in place; you can also install a fire escape system to ensure there is another way to get out safely in case access to the first floor is blocked.
One of the most popular second-story fire escape systems is a fire escape ladder. These can range from a webbing ladder that attaches to the window sill in case of an emergency to a sturdier metal version that is built-in and they are one of the must-have items for every new homeowner. For built-in escape ladders, these can be installed into a box near the window to create a safety system that doubles as a window seat.
Whatever fire escape ladder you include on your second-story, it’s generally a good idea to choose one with anti-slip rungs. There are even emergency slides similar to aircraft emergency exit slides available for residential homes.
3. Adjust Your Water Heater to Prevent Scalding
Your new construction home will come with a new water heater. It may have a preset temperature that could allow for scalding in order to prevent contamination in the tank. However, you can adjust the temperature of your water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then, you can equip an anti-scald device that will deliver water at a slightly lower temperature, especially if you have seniors or very young family members living with you whose skin may scald easier. This will continue to prevent contamination in the water heater tank while also ensuring the hot water doesn’t get hot enough to scald anyone.
These are just a few extra safety tips for new construction homes to think about as you plan to build yours. There are a lot of things to consider when you plan to build your own custom home. Partnering with the right custom home builder can help you handle all the details and make sure your home building process stays an exciting one for you. If you’re ready to make your dream home a reality, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090!