Measures to improve the safeguards in our homes and to reduce the possibility of water intrusion are all within reach.
Top Dozen Safety Suggestions
1) Make sure furnaces, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, space heaters, and gas appliances are vented properly and inspected annually.
2) Regularly check smoke alarms – One per floor at a minimum and near sleeping areas. Have fire extinguishers in more than one area of your house.
3) Plan an escape route and make sure the windows and locks are operable.
4) Do not overload extension cords or use them improperly such as in garage door openers.
5) Please check your own chargers (cell phones, cameras, IPods) to make sure they are not over-heating. Apparently there are businesses that are importing chargers and batteries that are not UL approved, but marked as such, which are starting fires such as in our case.
6) Consider installing a CO2 detector. Only run generators outside, never in a “ventilated” open garage.
7) Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) plugs in kitchen and bathrooms near water service.
8) Adjust water temperature below 120 F to prevent scalding.
9) Consider installing safety handrails on staircases and in bathing areas, especially when seniors live in the home.
10) Repair lifting concrete cracks that could pose a tripping hazard and remove slippery moss from sidewalk areas.
11) Trim dead branches from trees that are close to your roof and parking areas.
12) Keep your gutters clean and drains clear of debris to prevent water from draining into your crawl space, or other areas that would cause damage to your property or your neighbors. Now that the earth is saturated from winter rains, it will flow more easily from one property to the next.
For a comprehensive list of additional steps you can take to prevent injuries in the home, go to http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/index.aspx
No comments:
Post a Comment