Now that winter is a memory and the sun is showing its warmth more and more, its time to make sure your home is safe. Here are some things that we should all be doing to ensure that the inside of our home is safe for the upcoming year during our Spring Cleaning.
Replace Your Filters
The air inside be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air — especially since we have had our windows closed for the majority of the winter. A big help on this would be to replace or clean all the filters in your home. These include filters for the furnace, air conditioner, dryer, vacuum oven hood and refrigerator.
Go Green
Using organic cleaners helps minimize the risks associated with the toxic fumes that some cleaners can emit. If you are buying new cleaners check the labels for toxic chemicals as some cleaners branded as natural will not be. You can also just use vinegar and water as a 100% natural and non-toxic cleaner in almost all your home.
Smoke Detectors
You walk by it every day but when was the last time you changed your batteries in your smoke detector? This is a 5 minute job that you will appreciate if it is ever needed to alert you and your family to escape a file.
Review Your Family Emergency Plan
We all remember practicing fire evacuations in school, why should our home be any different? Ensure that you have a plan and that all of your family is aware of it. If you do not have a current plan then take a few minutes Your plan should include at least two rendezvous points, an emergency contact person, and an evacuation route.
Clean Out the Medicine Cabinet
Check the medicine and prescriptions in your medicine cabinet. Some may be expired and some may be ones you no longer need. Many medications are considered too dangerous to throw away or flush down the toilet, so call your pharmacy or local poison control center to find any drop-off sites that will take your expired medications.
Update Your First Aid and 72-Hour Kits
Check your first aid kit and 72-hour kit and replace any missing or expired items. Make sure you have all the essentials, including bandages, water, and emergency phone numbers for the local poison control center and your family physician.
Check Your Fire Extinguishers
We all should have at least one fire extinguisher in an easy-to-access location in our home. Although fire extinguishers can have a long shelf life, they do eventually expire — and once they do, they are useless in a fire. Make sure you check the expiration date on your fire extinguishers and keep them updated.
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