Obviously, I survived. In fact, the guy was, in fact, legit. At least according to the company. Thinking quickly, I opened the front door and stepped onto the porch. I cheerfully waved and pretended to greet my neighbor next door. The neighbor wasn’t actually there, but the repairman didn’t know that. Holding the check out toward him, I positioned myself so that if he wanted payment, he would have to come outside to get it. He hesitated for a moment, gave the dog a few more scratches behind the ears, and finally walked out. The second he stepped onto the porch, I handed him the check, slipped back inside, and locked the door.

Only later did I discover that my husband had, in fact, scheduled the appointment and forgotten to tell me. The next day I called the hot tub company to explain how uncomfortable the entire experience had been. They assured me the technician was harmless. I assured them that harmless people can still make poor decisions. Showing up unexpectedly after dark, requesting a personal check, entering a customer’s home without permission–none of those things should happen, and the fact he was “legitimate” doesn’t change that.

Too often, we judge our decisions based on the outcome rather than the information we had at the time. Because everything worked out, it’s tempting to look back and say I overreacted. I don’t think I did. If anything, I underreacted. Good safety habits are not measured by whether something bad happens. They’re measured by whether they reduce risk when you don’t know what is going to happen. That’s why we lock our doors, verify appointments, and adopt pretend guard dogs. And that’s why we trust our instincts when something feels off.

Of course, not every home safety threat arrives knocking on your front door. Some of the most dangerous hazards are the ones we never see coming. Take carbon monoxide, for example. Carbon monoxide is often called the “silent killer” because you can’t see it, hear it, or smell it. In fact, it is impossible to detect without an alarm. Every year, families are hospitalized because of faulty furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, or generators. Yet many homeowners can’t remember the last time they checked their carbon monoxide detectors–or whether they even have one.

As a Realtor, I’ve walked through hundreds of homes over the years. I’ve seen people spend thousands of dollars on smart appliances, designer lighting, and custom backsplashes. Yet a $30 carbon monoxide detector somehow remains optional. That’s a bit like buying a luxury car and deciding seatbelts are an unnecessary upgrade.

Then there are smoke alarms. Most of us know we should test them regularly. Most of us fully intend to test them regularly. And then one starts chirping at 2:00 in the morning because the battery is dying. This is the part where I take a broom handle and knock all of them off the ceiling and go back to bed. Of course, a better option would be to replace the battery, but who wants to do that at 2:00 in the morning? I then spend the next year or so averting my eyes from those empty sockets on the ceiling. I wish I were kidding.

According to fire safety experts, smoke alarms should be tested monthly, batteries should be replaced regularly, and the units themselves should be replaced according to manufacturer recommendations. In other words, if your smoke detector is old enough to vote, it may be time for an upgrade. The same goes for your electrical wiring. If the wiring is covered with cloth, sparks every time you flip a switch, and trips off if you dare run a blow dryer and vacuum cleaner at the time, it’s time to call an electrician. We’ve come a long way since Ben Franklin and the key on the kite.

Another often-overlooked safety issue is having an emergency plan. Most families have discussed vacation plans more thoroughly than emergency plans. If a fire occurred tonight, would everyone know how to get out? These aren’t pleasant things to think about, but they’re important.

Honestly, I’m old enough now that in the case of an apocalypse, I would almost rather have it take me rather than live off the 50-year-old case of dried beans I have saved for just such an occasion. However, for the smaller, more likely disaster, it’s good to be prepared. The goal of home safety isn’t to live in fear. It’s to remove uncertainty before an emergency happens.

The same principle applies to first aid supplies. Every home should have a well-stocked first aid kit. Every homeowner should know where it is. And every family should periodically check to make sure it hasn’t become a museum exhibit containing expired medications, dried-up ointment, and mystery bandages from 2008.

While it’s unpleasant to talk about, after all, nobody posts photos on social media of their newly tested smoke detectors or their freshly updated emergency evacuation plan, but it is smart. A home isn’t just a valuable investment; it’s the place where the people (and animals) you care about should feel the safest. Be sure it is not an illusion.

Jen Fischer is an associate broker and Realtor. She can be reached at 801-645-2134 or jen@jen-fischer.com