General Spring Safety Tips

Safety is the first thing to consider heading into spring. Here are some great spring safety tips to keep yourself and your family safe:

• Removing any old paint cans and paint thinners, in addition to old newspapers and magazines. Your local dump station should have a place for hazardous material drop off to dispose of these chemicals safely.
• Consider your smoke alarms. Do you have enough in your residence or workplace? Change the batteries each spring to be sure you are properly prepared for an emergency.
• Clean the dust covers of carbon monoxide detectors.
• Clean or replace your furnace filter.
• Grease can accumulate on your stove hood. Properly cleaning this is one way to keep flames from spreading should a fire break out.
• Check all fire extinguisher needle indicators and dates to be sure they are working.
• Clean around your dryer. Pay close attention to any ducts or dampers to be sure that lint has not accumulated and blocked this space. Accumulation of lint can lead to a fire.
• Practice ladder safety. If you plan on climbing a ladder, you should do so accompanied by someone who can help in the event of an emergency. Be sure ladders are placed on level spaces and they have been secured.
• Check outdoor cords for frays and damage.
• Check any gas-operated equipment to be sure all fuel lines are safe.
• Do not store gasoline in an open space. Be sure all equipment used for lawn equipment and outdoor purposes has been properly fueled outdoors to eliminate the risk of inhalation.
• Keep all dangerous options liquids or chemicals from children, especially those that can become flammable.