Five Must-Haves For Your House

Wherever you live, you should take a good look around to make sure you have some essential items in your home, advises The Early Show's home improvement expert Danny Lipford, host of "Today's Homeowner."

Which ones?

"When I began to make a list of the things every home should have, I realized that the list could be practically never-ending, unless certain guidelines were set," Lipford says. "So, in order to make the cut, an essential item should be one that is a must-have in an emergency situation, or is the only tool or item that should be used in a given situation.

That said, his list of the top-five things every home should have is:

1. Flashlight: Power outages are more than just annoyances. Whether the result of a force of nature or manmade disturbance, when the lights go out, you need a way to light the way. Candles and lanterns are simply too dangerous. Open flames, no matter how careful you are, have the potential to create disaster. Flashlights are the safest method to create light without pwoer and, with new innovations, you have many choices. Certainly, a standard battery-operated light is the most common option, but you can get that type not only in a traditional hand torch but in a lantern style for tabletop illumination. Fluorescent bulbs are also available, as opposed to traditional incandescent bulbs, giving you a larger area of coverage. In addition, if having enough good batteries is a concern, you can get several models with rechargeable batteries, or even a flashlight with no batteries at all that depends on hand-cranking to provide unlimited power. Overall cost can range from as little as $3 to $100 or more!

2. Fire Extinguisher: No home should be without an adequate fire extinguisher. Fire is the third leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States. When choosing a fire extinguisher for your home, it's usually best to get one that is rated as "multi-purpose." Look for a rating code on the faceplate of the extinguisher that reads, "ABC." This is the most common type, and will extinguish almost any type of fire. Keep in mind, though, that the residue from a multi-purpose extinguisher is a dry powder that is mildly corrosive to most metals. That means you could cause damage to sensitive equipment, such as your computer or stereo components. When using the fire extinguisher, simply remember this acronym: P.A.S.S: PULL the pin, AIM the nozzle at the base of the flames, SQUEEZE the trigger of the extinguisher, SWEEP the extinguisher side-to-side, spraying the contents of the extinguisher on the entire area affected by the fire. But, even though having a fire extinguisher is important for safety reasons in your home, you should never try to fight a fire if it is spreading beyond the spot where it started, or if the fire can block your only escape. In fact, you should only fight a fire when you can do so with your back facing an escape exit. Cost: $20-$70.

3. Ladder: While a ladder doesn't particularly qualify as an emergency device, it should be the only item used for to reach high places. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people try to accomplish things at high levels by working on top of a chair, a table, or a stacked combination. If you consider the fact that one-third of all deaths in the construction industry are due to falls, then you'll understand the need for a sturdy ladder and how to use it properly. There are many styles of ladders, but I like a multi-purpose ladder at home, because I can use it inside or out. It can be a 6-foot stepladder one minute then, with a few quick adjustments, it becomes a nice 12-foot extension ladder for reaching the roof. Of course, before you use a ladder, be sure to inspect it carefully for any cracked or broken parts; make sure the rungs are clean and free of any slippery substances; and don't put more weight on the ladder than it was designed to support. Also, only use ladders that comply with OSHA standards. Cost $50-$300

4. Battery Charger/Tire Inflator: Here, we move a little away from the home site to the automobile but, since most homeowners have a car, I think this qualifies as a must-have product. Whether you're at home or on the road, being stranded because of a dead battery or flat tire can be both aggravating and potentially dangerous. The newer models of battery chargers/inflators are portable, lightweight and compact, so having one in the trunk keeps it handy for any emergency. Keep in mind that these are not designed to repair a given situation, but rather to enable you to keep you vehicle operational until a repair can be made. For example, a nail in your tire can certainly cause the tire to go flat, but with an emergency inflator, you can refill the tire with air so you can drive the car to the repair shop and never have to change the tire yourself.

5. Basic Tool Kit: Finally, a basic tool kit with some essential hand tools, as well as a couple of specialty items, should be in every home. The hand tools that should be included are a tape measure, hammer, screwdriver with interchangeable bits, regular pliers, adjustable pliers, needle nose pliers, crescent wrench, small saw, cordless screwdriver, safety glasses, ear plugs, dust mask, torpedo level, gloves, scissors and a putty knife. In addition, Lipford I recommends having a small plunger that is perfect for unclogging sink drains. Also, a water cut-off tool called a tee or a tap key should be a part of your kit. The tee is designed to cut the water off to your home at the water meter, which is an absolute necessity when you experience a major leak in a location where there is no cut-off valve available. Cost $75-$100