Safety

Don't wait until danger and destruction are imminent to ensure you have the provisions needed to keep you, your family and your property as safe and secure as possible. Whether preparing for a natural or man-made disaster, it's imperative Americans don't simply cover the bare necessities like batteries and canned goods, or wait until a situation is at hand to seek out the necessary provisions. Take the time to thoroughly plan and shop in advance so you are fully, not partially, prepared for an emergency.

While it's of utmost importance to have the fundamentals in place relative to food, water, medication, communication and transportation, there are a number of other important factors to consider when safeguarding the homestead. Every household has stacks of important papers that are difficult, in some cases virtually impossible to replace, such as insurance policies, medical records, birth certificates, legal documents, passports, computer data, automobile and home ownership documents. Jewelry, medications, and other valuable items also require waterproof, secure protection, and those who own such items would be well-served by ensuring they are safe and secure during a disaster, those natural and otherwise.

Consider this assortment of "next level" emergency preparedness tips, gadgets and gear:Read more

For any family, safety is paramount – especially that related to fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. With their proven ability to double a family's chance of surviving a residential fire, smoke detectors are one of the most valuable fire safety tools on the market – yet we tend to take them for granted. And, carbon monoxide - appropriately dubbed "the silent killer" – also gets little or no attention in many homes.

"Smoke alarms are such a common presence in our homes that it's easy to just expect them to work every time," says CableOrganizer.com product specialist Christina Hansen. "But like many other devices and appliances around the house, smoke detectors require regular cleaning and maintenance to function effectively. And, there are many models on the market offering both smoke and carbon monoxide detection – an often overlooked consideration."Read more

The big discussion on the impact of social media these days seems to be focused on privacy and how much is left when everything gets posted to Facebook, Twitter and the like. But there are still ways to keep your friends and colleagues informed about your activities without taking significant personal safety risks. Here are ten important things NOT to do with social media, in an effort to keep you, your friends and family safe. Most are common sense, but it can be easy to forget when juggling tasks.

Just remember: when in doubt, don't post.

10. Don't blast to the world that you'll be traveling. If you take a trip, just post about the event while you're there and maybe report back with more detail when you return; or if you must post that you're at a conference or live tweet from that, make sure to tweet about your house-sitter too.Read more

While holiday decorating is all about adding fun, sparkle and warmth to a very special season, it's important to remember that many of our favorite decorations carry the risk of fire or electrical injury if not used carefully. Don't let a preventable accident take the enjoyment out of your holidays – whether you're excitedly preparing for Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, take a few minutes to consider these decorating safety tips.Read more

Whether its' the threat of hurricane or any other natural disaster, everyone should take precautions and be prepared. Here are some simple solutions and product ideas to keep on hand should an emergency occur.

Black and Decker All-in-One Station
You can stay informed and be prepared when the next emergency hits with the portable Storm Station All-in-One Emergency Power Station from Black & Decker. When the power goes out due to power failure or a storm, the Storm Station automatically turns on. The Storm Station features a radio, 25 watt power inverter, 12 volt recharge port, removable flashlight and a "Find Me Light" which runs off the Storm Station’s 12V rechargeable battery. The radio tunes to local and national government weather reports to keep you up to date on the latest civil and natural emergencies. The radio also tunes into AM/FM stations, as well as the audio portion of your local TV news. The 25 watt power inverter powers your home’s cordless phone, laptop or small appliances. The 12 volt recharging port even charges cell phones! $99.99; www.blackanddecker.com Read more

Each year, an estimated 375 children under 5 years old drown in residential swimming pools, usually a pool owned by their family. Here are two products that aid in keeping your pool (and family) safe this summer.

Terrapin Wireless Gate Alarm
The Terrapin Wireless Gate Alarm warns you the instant a child opens the gate to a pool fence without adult assistance - as well as if the pool fence gate fails to latch closed within 11 seconds of an adult entry. A base station located as far as 200 feet away from a pool alarms to warn the supervising adult to come immediately to the pool area. Read more