Are emergency panic buttons for home really that important? What about a home emergency safety app – do I really need that? Before you rush to answer these questions, consider what happened to Mike Hodgin of Cary, North Carolina, this past Christmas Eve:
“Mike was at home in his kitchen, preparing some hors-d’oeuvres – nothing unusual for many people during the holiday season. But then, he suddenly fell to the ground.
Mike was having a heart attack.
Fortunately, when his wife ran outside to summon help, their neighborhood mail carrier, Chris Petersen, was in their driveway. Chris raced into their home and performed CPR on Mike, as the Hodgins’ neighbors called 911. Today, Mike is recuperating nicely back home, enjoying a late holiday reunion with family and loved ones.”
While Mike’s story certainly had a happy ending, what if their mail carrier wasn’t near the home? What if Chris Petersen didn’t know CPR? And what if the neighbors hadn’t been outside, ready and able to call 911 at a moment’s notice?
Emergencies like these can happen at any time, in the blink of an eye. And although people tend to feel safe when they’re at home, that doesn’t mean that tragedy can’t strike. In fact, there are many dangerous situations that can arise at home, whether living alone or with a family member.
Consider some of these home emergencies that can happen at any time, rendering us helpless:
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Heart Attacks
As you just read, Mike Hodgin had no idea what lay ahead of him that fateful Christmas Eve. He was simply minding his own business, preparing appetizers, when near-tragedy struck.
Mike was lucky, with a wife, neighbors and mail carrier who were at the ready to help. But what if he had been home alone that evening?
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Choking
Think back to the many times you’ve eaten a meal at home. What happens if you start to choke? Do your family members know how to administer the Heimlich Maneuver?
What if you’re alone when you begin to choke? You certainly can’t make a phone call if you can’t speak to the operator on the other end of the line.
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Chemical emergencies
Common cleaning products, pesticides, antifreeze, kerosene, and paints – these normally useful substances can become harmful if they aren’t stored and cared for properly. In the worst-case scenario, these flammable and highly reactive products can create a fire hazard – or worse.
Even if you are careful to store everything safely, what happens if an unsuspecting handyman, friend, or neighbor is unaware of the chemicals in the area and lights up a cigarette? Or what if you fail to notice the chemical spill in that corner of your garage? Any of these situations can result in a fire or explosion under certain conditions.
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Fire
As children, most of us have been taught not to play with matches. But even the most cautious people might forget to blow out the candles they had burning in the kitchen . . . or forget to turn off an appliance that doesn’t have an automatic shutoff setting . . . or fail to notice how abnormally hot the cell phone charger is becoming in the outlet.
Between human error and faulty appliances, fires are very real concerns in the home that everyone should be aware of.
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Home Invasion
Locking the doors and installing alarm systems will prevent most home invasions, yet there are always exceptions. And what happens if you’re careful to keep your home locked, but one day a delivery person shows up on your doorstep, and you realize – too late – that you opened your door to an imposter who is now pushing his or her way into your home?
Yes, most of the time we can feel safe and secure in the comfort of our homes and apartments. But for the times when emergencies occur, how you handle that emergency can mean the difference between life and death.
Fortunately, a home emergency panic button can give you peace of mind while ensuring that help is moments away. Silent Beacon’s innovative emergency panic button for home is the perfect solution. The lightweight device is equipped with an easy-to-activate panic button.
With one touch of the button, the Silent Beacon triggers phone calls, texts, and alerts to emergency personnel and loved ones. Simply create your contact list, pair the Silent Beacon device with the free app, and voila! The GPS-enabled device means that help is on the way the moment you activate this home panic button.
Home Emergency Panic Button: Simple Tips to Keep You Safe
Despite the emergency situations that can arise, there are some simple steps you can take to keep your home as safe as possible, thereby minimizing the potential for accidents and emergencies:
- Get trained in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.
- Know the signs of a heart attack and choking.
- Keep hazardous chemicals and products stored safely, in their original containers, and at the appropriate temperature.
- Keep all hazardous substances out of the reach of children and away from potential heat sources and/or open flames.
- Check all appliances regularly to ensure they are functioning properly.
- Immediately turn off and unplug any appliance that appears to be malfunctioning or becoming unusually hot to the touch.
- Only use appliances and tools with safety shutoffs / turnoffs.
- Keep your home locked at all times.
- Install a security system.
- Only open the door for people you know (or for those who can show you proper identification).
Finally, be sure to take this safety precaution: Carry the Silent Beacon device with you at all times. Pair it with the free Silent Beacon app, knowing you can press the emergency panic button – and help will be on its way to your home within minutes.
