Spring Safety Tips for your Home!
- When you do your spring cleaning, dispose of those old cans of paint and thinners and accumulated newspapers and magazines. Check local newspapers for times and locations to drop off household hazardous materials.
- When you clean windows check them for ease of opening as you may need them as a means of exit in case of fire.
- Change Your Clock – Change Your Battery
Change the battery in your smoke alarms and perform maintenance such as cleaning and dusting as per manufacturer’s instructions. Remember proper placement of smoke alarms, with at least one on every level. Review and practice your home escape plan. Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your carbon monoxide alarms too.
- Replace or clean your furnace filter. A dirty filter can lower the efficiency of the heating/cooling system, increase heating costs and cause fires.
- Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter. Keeping this clean of cooking grease will help keep a stovetop fire from spreading.
- Always have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible. Make sure it is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed or Factory Mutual (FM) approved. Check the gauges to make sure they are charged and ready to use.
- Check your water heater. If you have a gas-fired water heater, check to make sure it is venting properly. Light a match next to the vent and wave it out (don’t blow it out). See if the smoke is pulled up into the vent. If it isn’t, have a professional inspect and repair it. Otherwise, carbon monoxide and other combustibles can build up in the home.
- Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper and space under the dryer. Poor maintenance allows lint to build up in the exhaust duct and cause fire.
- Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged. Exposed wires may cause arcing, which will produce heat and can start a fire. Keep appliances and their power cords away from water or a heat source because this will damage the cord’s insulation
OUTDOOR SAFETY
- When using ladders, check for safe and proper placement. Be aware of any obstructions, overhead wires, electrical, cable, phone and tree branches.
- Check cords and outlets for fraying or exposed wiring on all electrically operated equipment.
- On gas operated equipment, check fuel lines and connectors for leaking fuel. Never use or store gasoline indoors.
- Fill lawn mowers, motorbikes, and power saws outside and only when the motor is cool. Store gasoline in a cool place away from the house in a detached garage or shed, and always in an approved safety can.
- Keep gasoline and all flammable liquids away from children !!!!
