You feel extremely safe in your home, right? But, the truth is that you and your family are more likely to be injured on your own property than anywhere else. Unfortunately, home accidents happen all of the time.

Here are 10 ways you can protect yourself, your family, and your guests against them.

1. Pay attention to lighting, both inside and outside of your home. In particular, be sure lighting is good in potentially hazardous areas like stairs, and in the path between your bedroom and the bathroom you use in the middle of the night.

2. Call an electrician immediately if you see any evidence of electrical problems. And, never leave an electrical heater on when you leave a room or are about to go to sleep. Doing so can be a fatal mistake.

3. You need a good smoke alarm in every room, no exceptions. Be sure all family members are aware of how to quickly exit your home in the event of a fire or other emergency. Practice.

4. If there are children in your home, use portable gates in front of your stairways, plug unused electrical outlets, place scissors, knives and other sharp objects out of reach, and hide or lock away weapons, matches, and potentially dangerous chemical products.

5. Buy high quality locks for your doors and windows, and secure your home at all times. Never, under any circumstances, allow a stranger into your home.

6. Instruct everyone in your family to avoid telling a stranger they are home alone, and to never mention being away from home in voicemails or autoresponse emails to which strangers may have access. Similarly, never refuse an appointment by saying you will be away. Instead, simply say that the proposed time is inconvenient for you.

7. Homeowners are most at risk when doing maintenance and repair work, so always consider safety when working in your home or yard. Falls and power tools account for the bulk of in-home injuries.

8. Be especially careful of your hands. Make a fist in your off hand when chopping or slicing in the kitchen, and never reach into a disposal, jammed lawnmower, or similarly dangerous area.

9. Never back in or out of your driveway unless you can fully see that there are no children, pets, or others in your path.

10. Never allow objects to remain on stairs, or in a position where they could fall onto stairs. Immediately shovel and use salt on outdoor stairs and walkways in winter weather.

Home safety, as they say, is not an accident. Protect your family by beginning to practicing it now.