7 Items Every Family Needs for Their Home

If ten people were asked what makes a perfect home, it is almost certain ten different answers would be given. Some people will place the highest priority on design. Other people may think yard space for kids and pets trumps all other issues. However, there are some essentials that all families should have in their home. Following, we outline 7 items we've pinpointed that every family needs for their home.

Dishwasher

Doing the dishes by hands is enjoyable and even therapeutic for some people. However, washing the pile of dishes a family will accumulate on a daily basis by hand is time consuming, hard work, and probably water-wasting. Fortunately, automatic dishwashers come in a variety of styles and sizes to complement any kitchen. Modern dishwashers are convenient to use and are efficient with energy and water consumption.

A Good Vacuum

Spills are inevitable when an entire family inhabits a home. Matter from pets and other sources will also accumulate in carpets. A good wet-dry vacuum will prove capable of handling everything from small rocks to spilled paint. These vacuums will also keep seats and floor space in your car clean.

Fire Extinguisher

House fires are not exactly commonplace but the risk does exist. It is a good idea to have one or more fire extinguishers in the family home to assure the safety of family members. Fire extinguishers will also protect material possessions. Fire extinguishers come in five varieties. The different types of fire extinguishers are optimized to handle different types of fires. Equip your home with the types of extinguishers that will provide you and your family with the most peace of mind.

Warranty

A good home warranty will cover the cost of repairs to a number of major components in your home in the event they malfunction or stop working. The average price for these warranties is between $250 and $400 a year and this price pretty much covers all major appliances. Be sure to obtain a full list of covered items from the issuer of your warranty. Also, ask about all out of pocket expenses that will be your responsibility.

Tools And Toolkit

More than likely you already own a number of basic tools like drills, hammers, and screwdrivers. However, home ownership will probably mandate you include a bunch of tools you have not needed before. A few of these more advanced tools might include stud finders, a good ratchet set, and hand saws.

You will also need a container for all of your tools. One suggestion is a five-gallon bucket and a liner of some type. You can also purchase a tool belt to keep your tools handy around the house.

Emergency Preparedness Kit

Natural disasters are a thing that no one can predict. However, in the event your family finds themselves in an area where a natural disaster occurs it is much better to be prepared than to be caught off-guard. Some items that should be contained by your emergency preparedness kit are cash, water, food, items for infants and children, first aid kits, and clothes. There are many other things you should pack into your kit that will be specific to your family.

Ladders

The type of ladder your family needs in the home will be dependent upon a number of factors. Among these factors is the height of the areas you need to reach, the space you will have to use the ladder, and how much weight the ladder will need to support. When estimating the weight a ladder needs to support, be sure to add the weight of individuals that will use the ladder along with all potential tools.

The Red Cross also recommends escape ladders be kept in the bedrooms of homes that are multi-story.

The Bottom Line

Most families will have there own ideas as to what constitutes a perfect home. And where an individual family places the priority in the home of their dreams is an individual preference. However, the seven items mentioned above are an absolute necessity for every family home.

about the author...Kevin Gardner graduated with a BS in Computer Science and an MBA from UCLA. He works as a business consultant for InnovateBTS. As busy as he is with his career, Kevin has made his family a priority and has found creative ways to give them the time they deserve. Whenever possible, he writes about his experiences and shares them to help others.