Spring Clean up and Fire Safety

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

Spring has sprung!

Spring cleaning often starts with our garage, now is the perfect time to clean out all stored newspapers or other rubbish that can be fuel for a fire.

Properly dispose of oily or greasy rags. If these items must be stored, they should be kept in
labeled and sealed metal containers.

If you store gasoline, keep it outside your home in a shed or detached garage.

Keep only small quantities in tightly sealed containers. Use gasoline only as a motor fuel, never as a cleaning agent or charcoal accelerant.

Things to remember when Spring Cleaning begins indoors and out:

• It's good practice to change batteries in smoke alarms, flashlights and carbon monoxide detectors in the Spring and Fall.
• Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years or as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Be sure to thoroughly clean the lint trap in your clothes dryer. Failure to clear lint from the filter is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires.
• Remove anything from your stovetop that could pose a dangerous fire hazard. This includes oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging and hand towels.
• Make sure outlets are not overcrowded with electrical wires and extension cords and that no extension cords are running across doorways or under carpets.
• Loose debris, like old rags, papers, tissue and wrapping paper, clothing and blankets, which pile up in closets, drawers or cabinets should be cleared out. (They create a fire hazard in your home).
• While cleaning, try to pay particular attention for loose floor boards or stair posts, sharp edges on furniture, tripping hazards or toxic materials left out in the open. This is the perfect time of year for stepping up the safety inside your home.
• This is a perfect time to go over your family's fire escape plan and make any changes if needed. Practice, Practice, Practice.
• Remember to Keep outdoor debris or dead vegetation away from the house and barbecue grill.

Speaking of our grill. Spring is a great time to make sure that our grills are in working order.

According to the NFPA, three out five households owns a gas grill, which translates to a lot of grilling. But it also means there’s an increased risk of home fires.

July is the peak month for grill fires at 17 percent, including both structure, outdoor or unclassified fires, followed by May, June and August.

A failure to clean the grill was the leading factor contributing to the fire in 19 percent of all grill structure fires. In 17 percent of the fires, something that could catch fire was too close to the grill.

Gas grills contribute to a higher number of home fires overall than their charcoal counterparts.

Spring is a great time to get a fresh start inside and out! If you need some help with your Spring cleaning, give us a call today at 603-298-6942.