Safety Archives — Safewell

Safety At Home for Kids

Here are a few kid safety tips to consider adding to your home.

There is no place like home. The comfort and safety of your own home can be so welcoming at times that you might forget or overlook different things or objects that can still cause harm to your kids. Your home being where your kid will spend their childhood and most of their time you want to make sure that they are in a safe environment and not at risk of harming themselves or the friends that they have over all the time. Here is a checklist to help you go over different aspects of your home to make sure it is the safe place you want for you and your family.

Eliminate as many fire hazards.

I know this can be a very broad area because there are so many different things in a home that could potentially lead to a fire. We want to eliminate and minimize that list as much as possible. For example, one of the easiest things to do is to make sure your electrical outputs are covered. There are safety covers you can purchase to plug in and prevent curious young ones from attempting to place different objects inside. Another easy thing to do is whenever you are in the kitchen cooking something, always get in the habit of when using the stove, that the handle is facing the back of the stove and not reaching out over it, in line for someone to accidentally knock off or grab. Also, you want to always make sure that the smoke detectors in your house are working properly and that you have a fire extinguisher close by that is up to date.

“Child- Lock” different cabinets.

Some of the things that could be most harmful to kids are kept in cabinets and drawers. Whether it be harmful cleaning supplies and substances or sharp utensils you want to make sure that they are out of your kids to reach. There is an age that once your child reaches, they will want to explore and discover everything that is in your house. And once they get there, there is no going back. You can find clip-on locks that will help you child-proof those cabinets to prevent your kid from opening the wrong ones. And sometimes it’s not only cabinets that need to be locked. It might be helpful to have a lock on the door that is out of your kid’s reach so they do not go wandering outside alone or open the door to a stranger. In houses with stairs, it is also helpful to place something like a gate blocking the stairs so that your child does not attempt to go down/up them when they are not old enough to do so

Cover those window wells!

Once you make sure that your home is safe on the inside you do not want to overlook the outside of it as well. Kids being kids, they love to run around and play outside as much as they can. And you do not want them to be in any harm doing that. One of the biggest threats to that could be an open window well. Having wells being as big as 4 feet wide and 6 feet deep could definitely harm your child if they fell into one. At Safewell, we make sure that does not happen. Providing custom fit coverings to secure your window well, we prevent those terrifying moments when you discover your child is running around outside unattended. We want your home to feel as safe as possible for you and your kids. Check out your window well options here.

Our homes consist of so many things and we want everyone to be able to feel comfortable and safe in them. The best way to do this is by making sure that you have gone throughout and “child-proofed” different harmful areas. Let us make sure that not only you but everyone in your family is safe and secure at home. If you need window well covers please contact us today!

Safety, Window Well Covers

How to Pet-Proof Your Home

Tips to Make the Areas of Your Home Pet-Friendly

Pets can be even more curious than your kids at times. They will wander off and you will get busy doing something and then you’ll realize about an hour later things are awfully quiet. And then notice that they have gone and gotten themselves in a mess. Whether it is with the trash, knocked furniture over, got into the pantry, etc, your pets sure have minds of their own. Trying to find the balance of your pet and the freedom you want them to have inside as well as outside of your home can be difficult at times. That is why “pet-proofing” your home can be such a big help in putting your mind at ease and keeping your pets safe. Here are a couple of areas within/around your home and what you can do to ensure your pet’s safety.

Bathroom: If it is walking on four legs chances are it is going to find its way in here at least one time or another. There is something about toilet bowl water that seems to just call out to pets. And nothing more entertaining than shredding and rolling out a roll of toilet paper. Now things such as making sure that the toilet seat is always closed can help prevent some of that, but the toilet paper can get a little tricky. The safest thing to do is to make sure the bathroom door is always closed. To not only help avoid that mess, but other things that are found in the bathroom as well. Especially because a lot of times you will have different cleaning supplies in there, it is best that your pet does not find its way in and accidentally eat, drink those harmful chemicals.

Kitchen: Your pet will surely know the kitchen out of all the rooms in your house. And there is a good chance that it will be one of their favorites to be in. Your pets love to be in there begging for food whenever you are trying to prepare something. However, as yummy as the food might smell to them, they do not know what is safe to eat and what is harmful to them. Making sure that any left over scraps and such are securely thrown away and that the garbage can is also secure or out of reach to your pet is important so that they do not eat anything that could cause them harm. This also goes for any of the kitchen cleaning supplies or any sharp utensils that are in cabinets, you will want to make sure they are secure or out of reach.

Laundry Rooms: This being the place where a lot of harmful chemicals to animals are kept such as bleach and detergent, it is really important that different safety precautions are followed. Even things as simple as fabric softener sheets that may seem relatively harmless, contain chemicals that can hurt your pets if ingested. This being said, it is very important that these supplies are kept out of your pets’ reached or secured elsewhere. Even remembering to check the washer and dryers before closing the lid to use them is important, because your pet could accidentally wander into them. It is good to get in the habit of always remembering to close them when they are not being used.

Bedrooms & Living Rooms: As safe as the rooms may seem, especially bed rooms there are still plenty of things that you need to be cautious about. For example, electrical cords can be found in both of these places. And these are extremely dangerous for pets to chew on. Also smaller things found in the bedroom such as hair pins, ties, different accessories, etcs can be choking hazards to your pets. The cleaner you keep your rooms, the safer place it will be for your pets. Another thing that is sometimes overlooked is the windows. Especially in bedrooms if you have a two story home. Your pet may get curious and approach an open window and could potentially hurt themselves if they try to go out. Try your best to make sure windows are closed and locked if you are not around to supervise. Even when you are closing your closet or different drawers you should make sure that none of your pets have gone and buried themselves in those.

Garage: Even though you might not think that your pet will spend a lot of time in there, this is a place where a lot of different things that could be of harm to your pet are kept. Small screws, nuts, or bolts lying around could all be choking hazards. You can find antifreeze, car wax, motor oil, gas, battery acid all in a garage. If any of these are consumed they could be very harmful if not fatal to a pet. Make sure that these are placed out of reach so that your pet does not stumble upon them. Especially if you have a cat/doggy door that leads out into the garage so they are free to wander, you really want to make sure that any big electrical tools are unplugged and put away, any chemicals or spills are cleaned up, and that your pet is not under or behind your car when you are about to leave.

Yard: The outdoors will be such a big part of your pets’ life. They will probably spend a good amount of time outside playing, using the bathroom, and even just relaxing. And because they might not always be under your supervision, there are a couple of safeguards that you will want to have in place. If possible, having a fence around the yard to help keep your pet from wandering too far, and keep strays out is always a smart decision. Also having a gate/fence around pools is a good idea so that your pet does not accidentally fall in. And a MUST have for your yard is making sure your window wells are covered. One of the biggest threats to your pet outside is if you have an open window well that they could potentially fall into. They could just be running around and not see the open well and extremely hurt themselves. That being said, make sure that you put your animal’s safety as a top priority and secure your window wells with Safewells’ best covers.

Set your home up so that both you and your pet can live comfortably and safely!

DIY, Safety, Window Well Covers

DIY Window Well Covers: Why You May Want to Reconsider

Basement window wells are common even in newer homes with basements. Why? Because getting more light into those typically dark spaces makes them more livable. When homeowners renovate older basements, they also often add window wells for the same reason.

But the window wells themselves create their own issues. They can be a trap for water when it rains, resulting in basement floods or they can be a hazard to children and pets playing in the yard around the house. They also create certain security concerns.

The solution is often found in window well covers. While there are several DIY type solutions, you may want to reconsider doing them yourself, and hire a professional instead. Why? Here are some of the many reasons.

Weight Concerns

Your children or pets playing in your yard is a huge concern, and one of the biggest failures of DIY window well covers is that they will not hold enough weight. The reason? Children playing are not just gently walking over window well covers. They are often running, jumping, and even falling on them.

Commercial covers have a much larger weight capacity. Metal covers like those made by Safewell can hold up to 400 pounds and offer a lifetime warranty. DIY covers don’t provide that level of safety, nor is there any guarantee of their structural integrity. But there are also other reasons commercial covers are superior to DIY window well covers.

In Case of Emergency

When it comes homemade window well covers, one issue is often a lack of planning for emergencies. One of the biggest potential hazards is someone becoming trapped in the basement in case of fire or other disaster, and the window well cover inhibiting their escape.

Companies like Safewell offer window well covers equipped with escape hatches for just such emergencies. Instead of relying on first responders or other household members to release them from the outside, basement occupants can release the well covers from the inside, allowing them to exit safely.

This type of window well cover is more difficult for you to create on your own, and may be more costly.

Safety

Besides being prepared in case of emergency, an important part of window well covers is safety. One of the reasons homeowners often consider them is that they can be a hazard to children and pets playing in the yard around their home. In many cases, injuries can occur when a toy or a ball falls into the well, and the child or pet tries to retrieve it.

The problem with homemade window well covers is that they are often not properly flitted, and can slip off the window well or even blow open or blow away under windy conditions. Also, homeowners often do not have access to the correct materials to make them sturdy enough for pets and children to walk on.

This can create even worse injuries if a child were to fall through the material because it breaks, or the material were to slip to one side or the other, causing a worse fall. A well fitted window cover that will hold enough weight and be secure enough is difficult for the average do-it-yourselfer to produce.

Appearance

The reason for window wells in the first place is to let light into the basement area and to enhance the appearance of those spaces. It is just as important that window well covers look nice from the outside instead of detracting from the look and curb appeal of your home.

DIY covers often lack this appealing look, as it is difficult to achieve in the average home workshop. Safewell Window Well Covers have either a mesh or rebar look that is both subtle and appealing, and creates a low-profile cover that looks good all year round.

They are also have a three-stage powder coat finish, a much better choice than paint, as the finish stays year after year without the need for touchups.

Durability

This is another key when it comes to window well covers: you want something that will last for years. You want them to look good year after year, but also continue to function well, with parts that are protected from rust and other deterioration. A window well cover that fails is just one more project added to your DIY list.

This durability is related to the materials the pros use, as well as to the types of finishes they can apply and the quality of hardware they have access to. This kind of durability is hard to achieve with a DIY window well cover.

Installation

When it comes to installation, it is about more than just putting a window well cover in place. There are often things that a DIY homeowner may not think of. For instance, it is often a good idea to install a window well ladder just in case of emergency and a locking system for the cover for added security.

While window wells are often a standard size, they can vary slightly, and the pros know how to ensure that covers fit properly and are secure no matter what the shape and size of your window wells. This is often difficult to achieve with DIY window well covers, something that can lead to issues later on.

When it comes to installation, leaving the job to the pros is often the best way to make sure it is done right the first time, and that your window wells are safe and secure.

Cost

While saving money is often the reason people decide to learn how to make their own window well covers, but the cost from professionals may be lower than you think. By the time you buy materials and specialized hardware, take the time to make and create the window well covers yourself, and then install them, you will probably save money by hiring a professional instead.

The durability of professionally designed window well covers will also save you money in the long run. Covers that do not have to be replaced frequently not only gives you peace of mind, but saves you time and money long-term.

Do you want more information about the costs of professionally installed window well covers? Contact Safewell Covers today. We’d love to talk about your needs and how we can best help you with your window well cover needs. We serve customers all along the Wasatch front and we’re confident you’ll love our product and our service.

Metal, Safety, Window Well Covers

Metal Window Well Covers vs Plastic or Plexiglass: Which One is Right for You?

Letting light into your basement is essential for making it a more useful, livable space. Since basements are mostly underground except for the top few feet, you need window wells in order to accomplish this. It is also important for the safety of those in the basement as they may need to exit quickly.

However, the same window wells that let light in can create a safety hazard for those utilizing the yard around the house, not to mention pets and other small animals. Because of this, you need window well covers. The same covers that keep those using the yard safe can also provide a certain level of security, preventing thieves and others from entering your home at ground level if the window well cover is installed with window well lock system.

There are all types of window well covers out there. Made from a variety of materials. Those include plastic, plexiglass, metal and other DIY materials. How do you decide which ones are best for you and your home? The wrong window well covers often create some common issues. The right covers can make all the difference not only to safety, security and piece of mind, but to the appearance of your home.

Let’s take a look at these window well covers, and the pros and cons of each type.

Plastic or Plexiglass Window Well Covers

These window well covers are just what they sound like. They are usually made of plastic or Plexiglas that is clear. Typically, plastic covers are the least expensive type of cover, but as we will see in a moment, cost should not be the first consideration when purchasing them.

Depending where your home is located and the function you want the window well covers to serve, the cheapest solutions are not always the most functional or the most attractive.

Metal Window Well Covers

Metal window well covers can be made of a variety of materials from aluminum to steel, depending on how strong you need them to be. Steel tends to be the strongest and most secure of the materials available.

Metal window well covers are generally set in a pattern like a grate. This means light still gets in, but they keep pets and children from falling in, and thieves from gaining entry with a lock system.

What are some factors to look at when looking at which window well cover is right for you?

How Strong is Your Window Well Cover?

While plastic window well covers are inexpensive, they are primarily designed to keep out dirt, debris, and other lightweight items. They can crack and break under too much weight or even with prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Plexiglass window well covers are tougher than plastic and can be built with supports that can increase strength, but there are limits to the support those frames provide. Depending on how much sun your window well gets, plexiglass will discolor over time. Sunlight can also make weaken the material, making them both less functional and less secure.

Metal window well covers are generally a much better choice. They are stronger and can hold more weight, even that of an adult. They’ll also withstand unusual situations like a child jumping on them or running over them. This is especially important if you have children or grandchildren at home. Even pets might break through a cheaper window well cover, with the potential for greater injury.

It is important for you to know and understand the differences between the strength of window well covers when determining which ones are right for you.

How Long Will Your Window Well Cover Last?

The old adage that you get what you pay for is just as true when it comes to window well covers. While metal covers may be more expensive initially, they will last much longer than other materials. The covers sold by Safewell come with a lifetime structural warranty and are coated with a 3-stage powder coat finish so they won’t rust and the finish will last for years to come.

Both plastic and Plexiglass can be affected by the elements, from rain to wind and sun, weakening them and shortening their life expectancy. This means you will have to replace them more often, increasing the overall cost of ownership in the long run.

How Much Weight Can Your Window Well Cover Hold?

For many homeowners, this is one of their primary concerns when looking for window well covers. There are several factors that go into how much weight a given cover can hold.

Plastic and Plexiglass window well covers are generally not overly strong by themselves, although Plexiglass does have a slight edge in this area in comparison to plastic. Also note, there are also two types of plastic and plexiglass covers; supported and unsupported.

An unsupported cover is made up of just the plastic or plexiglass with no additional structure other than the frame used to mount them. A supported cover will have structure in the middle attached to the frame, usually made of metal. This helps with the amount of weight they can support, but weak spots are still inevitable.

Metal covers, on the other hand, can support a lot more weight. Most steel, grate type covers can support around 500 pounds, which means even if your kids and grandkids jump on them (not recommended) they will be safe. A metal window well cover also will keep your pets safe as well as adults too.

What About Safety and Security?

Finally, there are two kinds of security and safety issues when it comes to window well covers. They are getting out in case of emergency, while at the same time preventing entry by unwanted intruders.

Plastic and Plexiglass both have a disadvantage here too. The same things that make metal window well covers stronger also make it harder for intruders to get in. But what about getting out in case of emergency?

In this case, there are several options for metal window well covers, including installing a child escape hatch, a small opening that a child can exit through, but that is too small for an adult to enter through. There are also window well ladders you can add. In addition, there are internal window well locking systems available that can easily be opened from the inside but are difficult for a burglar to reach and open from the outside.

These same features are much harder to achieve with Plexiglass window well covers or plastic ones. The nature of the cover makes it difficult for it to support the additional hardware needed to make locking mechanisms and child exits possible.

In most cases, homeowners will find that metal window well covers offer many advantages over other materials. The good news is that, while more expensive than plastic window well covers or those made of Plexiglass, metal covers are still be affordable. Have questions or want to get a quote for window well covers for your home? Feel free to contact us here at Safewell. We look forward to working with you on making your window well covers the best and safest they can be.

(801) 703-3161