There are certain things you do routinely. It’s easy to remember to eat, sleep, brush your teeth, or go grocery shopping. But there are probably certain things in your home that you have bought or information you have gathered that you have forgotten about. It’s an easy thing to do. Here are some tips and some reasons why it’s important to have rituals.

carbon monoxide detectors

Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane burn incompletely. A person can be poisoned by a small amount of carbon monoxide over a long period of time or by a large amount of carbon monoxide over a short time. Install carbon monoxide alarms in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home.

fire extinguishers

A portable fire extinguisher can save your life and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives. However, portable extinguishers have limitations. Because fire grows and spreads rapidly, the first priority for you is to get out safely. Read the instructions that come with your fire extinguisher. Become familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out. Local fire departments often offer hands-on fire extinguisher training.

smoke detectors

To keep you and your family protected, change your smoke detector batteries on the first day of spring and on the first day of winter. Places you should put a smoke detector include outside or near each bedroom, at the top of every stairwell, on each level of your home, and in the garage if it is attached to the home. 

home inventory

If your home burned down or were burglarized, would you have a record of your home’s contents? You could miss hundreds or thousands of dollars’ worth of belongings without a home inventory. Taking the time to create a home inventory could be the best investment you’ve ever made. Your home inventory list and photos or video should be updated every year. Choose a month and write this activity on your calendar as a reminder.

shredding documents and credit cards

With an increase in identity theft, take an active approach in destroying any papers bearing your name, address or other pertinent information. Don’t give criminals an excuse to steal your information and ruin your credit. Invest in a shredder and shred your personal information yourself. Another option is to put papers in a box and take to a shredding company.