3 Simple Life Saving Tips To Protect Your Loved One


Written By:

Updated: December 29, 2015

Compare Top Medical Alert Providers Today!

Compare Top Medical Alert Providers Now!

There are some very simple things you can do to bring peace of mind to you and your elderly loved one.  Some of these should be done in your own home.  We’ll look at 3 simple, yet effective tips that you can put in place in no time.

Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Test Them Annually

There’s no dispute that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors save lives.  Simple battery-operated ones from your local hardware store can be very effective.  Here are some things to keep in mind:

Smoke Detector Tips

  1. Current building codes require 1 smoke detector on each floor of a home (preferably near the staircase landing) and 1 in every bedroom and in the hallway area just outside of bedroom areas.
  2. In open spaces plan on 1 every 900 square feet, but not in kitchens, bathrooms, or unheated spaces.
  3. Remember that smoke rises, does not easily pass through a door, and also doesn’t go around corners predictably.  That is why so many detectors are recommended, at a minimum.
  4. Replace your smoke detectors every 10 years.  They can become less effective over time.
  5. Change smoke detector batteries annually whether they need it or not, and test them per the manufacture’s instructions.

a

Carbon Monoxide Detector Tips

  1. Install 1 detector on every floor and in the hallway area just outside of bedroom areas.
  2. Most detectors should be mounted near the ceiling.  Be sure to check your detector’s instructions for mounting locations.
  3. Remember that carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas, so you can’t see it or smell it.
  4. Replace your carbon monoxide detectors every 5 years.  They can become less effective over time.
  5. Change carbon monoxide detector batteries annually whether they need it or not, and test them per the manufacture’s instructions.  Your carbon monoxide detector may only use batteries when you lose power as a back-up.

a

It’s Never Too Early But Often Too Late To Get a Medical Alert Monitoring System

Medical alert monitoring systems can protect seniors, the elderly, and the disabled from any situation that they are aware of.  Certainly medical emergencies, but also kitchen fires, home invasions, and burglaries, to name a few.

  1. If you don’t know where to start, see our Buyer’s Guide for great information on medical alert systems.
  2. Our side-by-side comparisons and detailed reviews of medical alert providers make it easy to make the right choice.
  3. If you or your loved one already has a medical alert system, and you’re not completely satisfied with it, change to a new provider.  Most reputable medical alert companies allow you to cancel your service with a 30 day notice.
  4. If you have a medical alert system, test it regularly.  See our article on testing your medical alert system for some basic tips and ideas.

a

The first step is to just get started on these simple life saving tips.  Be sure to install, test, and maintain these devices as per your manufacture’s and medical alert provider’s instructions, and use the information provided here as a basic guide.