Springtime is here and with it comes a chance to clean out our lives and our homes. While most people think about spring cleaning in terms of clearing our clutter and unused items there is another focus that you should take with this cleaning- fire safety. According to the local Fire Marshal’s Office, many house fires are caused or made worse because of what homeowners do not do in terms of being proactive with fire safety. Here are some important tips to keep you and your family and your home safe with spring cleaning for fire prevention:
Inside the Home
The first place to start is inside the home- the place you spend the most time. To get started with your spring cleaning for fire prevention here are some places you can start:
- Dust off your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure sensors are clean and there are no cobwebs or debris stuck to them- fire safety has to start with your first line of defense.
- Change batteries in all alarms, flashlights, and other emergency preparation devices.
- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and if the alarm is older than 10 years it is best to buy new ones, even if they still appear to be working just fine.
- Store batteries safely. Keep them away from metal objects and keep them in the original packaging if possible, otherwise, keep them in a dry plastic container.
- You should be cleaning the lint trap on your dryer after every load to avoid a fire risk and at least once a year, you need to clean lint out of the vent pipe to avoid blockage.
- Clear excessive clutter, especially clutter that is blocking windows or entryways as this can make it difficult to get out quickly in the event of a fire and provides more fuel for fires as well.
- Check all cords on your appliances and replace any that are worn or damaged.
- The ultimate in fire safety is to practice your fire escape plan with everyone in the home and make sure there is a primary and a secondary way to get out in the event of a fire.
- Do a yearly check of your fire extinguisher to ensure it is in good working order.
- Remove any build-up of grease or burnt bits from your stove/oven to reduce fire risk.
Outside the Home
The outside of your home is also a hot spot for fire risks. When you are working on spring cleaning for fire prevention you need to spend some time outside as well with your fore safety efforts:
- Make sure your address number can easily be seen from the street so, in the event of a fire, emergency response teams can easily find your home.
- Clean off debris from the roof, gutters, chimneys, and skylights.
- Fire safety also expands to your yard. Make sure you clear away dead branches, leaves, and other yard waste from around your home.
- Ensure vents that lead from your gas appliances to the outside are clear of debris.
- Practice spring cleaning for fire prevention with your grill maintenance by cleaning it, checking propane grills carefully and always use the grill away from the home.
- If you have hazardous household materials like oil, gas, and chemicals stored outside, be sure to keep them in a cool, dry place away from pets and children and label them clearly.
A house fire can be one of the most devastating and deadly things that can happen to a family, but you can take steps this season to practice spring cleaning for fire prevention. Keep fire safety in mind and if you need help getting your home’s appliances back up to par then give us a call and we will be there to lend a helping hand!