 Challenge #6: Spring Cleaning Your Home Safety Equipment
This is a spring-clean activity that may save your home and your
family! And it doesn't involve dusting... - Cindy
Today, we are spring-cleaning the things in our home that keep us
safe. You can do this even if you are snow-challenged! Are you
ready? Let's start!
Smoke Detectors:
If your smoke detector uses batteries, replace the battery if it has
been several months since it was last changed. You don't want to wait
until the battery wears out! Remember to check the smoke detector by
pushing the button.
You don't have a smoke detector in your home? YIKES! Put one (maybe
even two) on your shopping list. They are not expensive. If you need
assistance on what type of smoke detector to purchase or where to
install it, call your local fire department. Many fire departments
have a public education officer who will be able to answer all your
questions (and it won't cost a dime LOL).
Also, if your smoke detector has been behaving strangely (beeping,
squawking, or chirping), ask the public education officer at the fire
department why. You may have a dirty detector, worn out batteries, or
something else not working. Your smoke detector is one of the most
important safety tools in your home.
This is NOT something you want to procrastinate on!
Fire Extinguishers:
Does your home have a fire extinguisher? If no, you may want to add
one to your shopping list. If yes, is it fully charged? Do you know
how to use it LOL? Again, call up your local fire department if you
have any questions. We have two fire extinguishers in our home. We
have never had to use them, but they are ready to go.
Also, do you know how to put out common kitchen fires? I posted a
link from eHow: How to put out a kitchen fire
Doorways:
Imagine that it is the middle of the night. The power is out and
everything is black. Could you and your family get out of the house
safe and sound? Take a peek at all your doorways. Is there a clear
path to the front and back doors? Can the doors be fully opened? Is
there clutter, backpacks, boxes, shoes, coats, and other things in
the way? Or worse yet, is there a chair, desk, or table blocking the
exit? YIKES!
Walk through your home. Remove clutter from the exits and the
stairways. This is a good habit to get into before the family goes to
bed. Not only does it keep your entranceways looking neat, but it may
save a life!
Escape Plan:
What does a family escape plan have to do with spring-cleaning?
Nothing. But it is a good idea to review your family's escape plan
once per season. This escape plan has to include ALL the kids and any
seniors who may be living in your home.
Make this a fun family exercise, perhaps for a Friday night "DO
instead of BUY" activity. Perhaps for this Friday night (hint hint).
Ensure everyone knows where the "meeting" place is and do a couple
practice runs. Let one of your kids "pretend" to be the fire alarm
(hee hee).
I am not an expert here, so I included a few links to get you started:
- For people over 50 from FEMA
- US Fire Administration: Escape Plan
- Canada: Staying Alive Program
Lights and Emergency Lights:
Do a quick walk through your home. Are all the light bulbs working
(including the outside lights and any lights that are in the garage,
basement, and/or sheds)? You don't want to be in the dark during an
emergency!
Emergency Lighting: I learned this tip from a fire inspector who was
doing an inspection at our workplace. There are emergency lights that
run on a battery that can be plugged into an electrical outlet in
your home. When the power is on, the emergency lights stay off. When
the power goes off, the emergency light comes on. We have one of
these at the top of each stairwell. The light can also be used as a
flashlight. No, I am not going to tell you the brand name LOL (ours
are several years old now). Contact your local hardware store. They
should be able to help you.
Flashlights: Do you have a couple extra flashlights in your home? Or
have the kids hidden them under the blankets for some late night
reading? Send the kids out on a treasure hunt. Find all those
flashlights. Ensure you have batteries for them. Keep them in a
central spot. Ours are in the cupboard above the washing machine.
Also ensure you have a few emergency candles ready for those long
power outages.
Last, but not least – Your Insurance Policy
I will never forget the horror of coming home from a friend's wedding
to find the apartment complex next to ours engulfed in flames. Many
people lost everything they owned that day. We had only been married
for about a year and had very few belongings, but we realized that it
would be difficult to replace those belongings if we didn't have
insurance. The following Monday, we had renter's insurance. Today we
have home insurance.
Your last challenge is to dig out your insurance policy. Read it over
(yes, I know it is boring LOL), but get familiar with it. Know what
is required to protect your home and your belongings. If you are
going on vacation, your policy may require that someone inspect your
home every 24 hours. Can't find your policy? Call up your insurance
agent and get them to make you another copy.
Ensure your policy has not expired. Write the expiry date on the
calendar so you will renew in time. The last thing you want to be
doing is trying to renew an expired insurance policy during an
emergency. Some insurers will not insure new customers (or renewing
customers) if their homes or belongings are in possible imminent
danger (i.e. forecasted hurricane, flooding, or wildfire).
If you don't have insurance on your home and/or belongings, find out
how to get insurance. Find out how much it costs. Ask the insurance
agent how to bring the cost down. If you don't smoke, don't have a
fireplace, have a security alarm, etc. you may be able to get a
cheaper rate. Shop around – but don't procrastinate LOL!
Take care of you, your family, your belongings, and your home!
Cindy
PS: I just touched on a few tips for home/fire safety. You can find
more home safety ideas, including some fun activities for the kids at
these links. Enjoy!
- US Fire Administration – Kid's Site
- NFPA – Sparky the Dog
- Canada Safety Council
- Canada Public Health Agency – Is Your Home Safe?
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