1. First Aid Kit

Every home should have a basic first aid kit because accidents happen. Your first aid kit should also be fully stocked at all times, so if you’re running low on gauze or bandages, you should refill your first aid kit as soon as possible in case of an accident or emergency.

Anyone at any time could get injured in your home. For example, you could cut yourself while preparing dinner, or a guest could slip and fall outside your home during the icy winter. If you have children, a first aid kit is even more important because it means you’ll be able to tend to their wounds quickly.

2. Power Outage Items

The power can go out at any moment, for any reason. From wind and harsh weather to issues at the electric company, you could lose power without notice. Always have essentials to be prepared for blackouts and brownouts. You can keep candles, flashlights, and generators for these unexpected events instead of going to the store after the power has already gone out.

3. Fire Extinguisher

Always have a fire extinguisher handy, especially when you’re cooking. If your home catches fire, it may not be safe to throw water on it. For example, you should never throw water on a grease fire because it could spread, causing even more damage. Having a fire extinguisher can help you put out small fires before they become dangerous.

4. Broom and Dustpan

Floors gather dust and dirt, so it’s a great idea to have a broom and dustpan in a closet that you can pull out at any point and begin using on the floors. Most people can keep a broom close to their kitchen, but if you have hardwood floors throughout your home, you may choose to have a broom on every level of your home so everyone can clean the floors whenever they become dirty. Of course, you can also vacuum hardwood floors and tile, but brooms allow you more control and can reach tight spaces, allowing you to remove all the dirt and debris from your floors.

5. Vacuum

Every home needs a vacuum, especially if you have pets and carpet. Vacuums can help you easily pull pet hair and dirt from carpets to clean your home and prevent allergens from getting into the air. They also make it easy for you to remove dust and pet fur from your furniture and other hard-to-reach spaces around your home.

6. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

You want your family to be safe, so having smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can ensure you’re not exposing yourself or your family to danger. Smoke detectors will alert you of fire as long as they’re in the right place. Most homes should have a few smoke detectors, so you may have to install extras if you have a large house.

Of course, you should also have a carbon monoxide detector. While you may be able to smell smoke when there’s a fire, you can’t smell carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that can lead to poisoning, but it’s completely odorous, so you won’t know if your house is contaminated without a detector.

7. Security System

Every home needs some level of security to keep you safe while you sleep or protect your belongings when you’re not home. There are a variety of different security systems available, and some are better than others. At the very least, you might have a camera inside your home that allows you to watch pets and children while you’re at work to ensure everyone is safe. However, you can also install more robust security systems that will alert you when there’s movement outside your home and call the security company if there’s a break-in.

8. Tool Kit

Things sometimes break around your home and need fixing. Everything from closet doors to doorknobs and slider screens can break. Having tools around the house can help you fix broken items while also ensuring you have something to use if you ever need to build something you purchase from a store. For example, if you buy your child a desk, you’ll have to break out some tools to build it.

9. Cleaning Supplies

Every home needs cleaning supplies, but the types you use may depend on your unique needs. For example, individuals house training a puppy should invest in enzymatic carpet cleaners, while individuals with kids who like to draw on the walls will need supplies that can remove crayons and markers from white walls.

Additionally, if you have high ceilings, you may also need tools that allow you to reach them to remove cobwebs from time to time.

10. Batteries

Every home should have extra batteries to ensure they can always use their electronics. You should also have batteries for emergency situations in which you’ll need extra flashlights during blackouts. However, in most cases, it’s just nice to have batteries when you need them for your television remote.