Conducting proper routine maintenance is an important way to help ensure safety.

In addition, the following operating tips can also help you to improve the safety of your home:

FIRE SAFETY TIPS:

• Install smoke detectors.  Most home fire deaths occur between 10pm at night and 6am in the morning.  Many deaths are caused by smoke and toxic gases, not the fire itself.  Smoke detectors should be installed on every level, including the basement, garage, workshops, and especially near sleeping rooms.  For extra protection, consider installing a smoke detector in every bedroom.

• Mount fire extinguishers near exits of the kitchen, furnace rooms, workshops, etc.  A multi-purpose dry chemical Class ABC fire extinguisher is the best choice for general use.  Mount the extinguisher near an exit so that a person using it can escape the room if the fire gets out of control.  All occupants should be instructed in how to properly use a fire extinguisher.

• Conduct fire drills and training.  Make sure that everyone knows:  1) how to stay low to the ground and make an escape route with their eyes closed; 2) how to feel doors before opening them, and if they are hot to seek another exit route; 3) how, if trapped in a room, to open the top and bottoms of windows, if possible, so that smoke goes out the top, and fresh air is draw in through the bottom; 4) how to fill a bathtub with water, and to put damp clothes or towels along the bottom of the door; and 5) hot to STOP, DROP, and ROLL if clothes catch on fire.

• Consider purchasing smoke protection hoods.

• Purchase collapsible emergency exit ladders, and practice using them.

AIR QUALITY TIPS:

• Install carbon monoxide detectors.  Carbon monoxide is a dangerous by-product of combustion produced by any fuel-burning appliance (water heater, furnace, wood stove, etc.).  Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas, and therefore it can easily go undetected.  Every home should have at least one carbon monoxide detector placed near sleeping rooms.  The carbon monoxide detector should display the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.  If a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, get everyone outside immediately and call the fire department.

• Test for radon gas.  Radon is a gas that found naturally in soil, which can leak in through cracks and openings in basements and foundations.  Prolonged exposures to radon can lead to lung cancer.  Contact the National Safety Council Radon Hotline (800-767-7236) for more information.

• If your house or building was built before the late 1970’s, it is very possible that it contains some kind of asbestos.  In these cases, exposure to asbestos becomes possible when repairs are made to walls, etc.  Therefore, before making any changes, a trained asbestos abatement contractor should be involved.

• Ensure adequate ventilation to avoid “sick home syndrome” from poor air quality.  “Sick House” symptoms develop when the air becomes congested with internal pollutants, especially in the winter.  Sources of internal pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) which are in glues, dyes, paints, etc. and provide the familiar “new smell” that comes along with carpets, cabinets, furnaces, etc.  Other sources of internal pollutions are molds and dust mites.  To check and improve the quality of you indoor air:  hire a professional to test the air quality; change air filters monthly; run the bathroom fan when showering to discourage mold growth; clean humidifier and air conditioning drain pans; do not smoke indoors; let new carpet, drapes, and furniture “air out” before bringing them inside; repair basement and foundation cracks; regularly clean and maintain all fuel-burning appliances.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS:

• Install Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters to electrical outlets, especially in bathrooms, laundry facilities, swimming pools, and outdoor receptacles.  These immediately shut of the power if there is a short-circuit created.

• Ensure all electric and gas appliances carry the UL, American Gas Association, or the Canadian Standards Association labels.

• Unplug all small appliances when they are not in use.  Even if they are turned off, they can still cause electrocution if they fall into kitchen sinks, bathtubs, bathroom sinks, or wet floors.  Try to keep appliances away from these areas if possible.

• If fuses are used, ensure that they are the correct sizes.  Never bypass a fuse with tin foil or other metal objects.

• If light switches or electrical outlets feel warm to the touch, turn them off and contact an electrician immediately.

• Be careful when using electrical blankets and heating pads, as they can lead to burns and fires if not properly used.

• Never run an electrical cord under a rug or carpet where it can become worn.  Also, never place a cord over a hot surface such as a radiator or space heater.

• Be sure that the wattages of light bulbs are equal to or lesser than the rating for the fixture that they are placed in.

• Unplug any extension cord that is not being used.  Never use an extension cord that is worn or damaged.

SLIPPING AND FALLING HAZARD TIPS:

• For bathtubs and showers, use non-slip mats, or install strips or decals, to help prevent slipping.

• Securely install grab bars in all bathtubs and shower stalls.  Be sure they are firmly mounted with long screws into wall studs.

• Safety glass should be used for all shower doors, patio doors, window walls, or other glass panels.  Check for a permanent mark in the lower corner of the glass that indicates that safety glass is being used.

• Keep a stepladder or utility stool handy, so that a chair is not substituted for reaching hard to get to places.

• Provide sufficient lighting for all walkways and entrances.

• Use nightlights near bathrooms, bedrooms, and stairwells.

• All stairwells should be equipped with well-mounted handrails on both sides of the stairs.

EMERGENCY PLANNING TIPS:

• Develop an emergency evacuation plan, and make sure that everyone understands it, and how to use two exits from every room.

• Place rechargeable flashlights where they can be readily accessible near bedsides and in the basement.

• Keep a well-stocked first aid kit (including medications for accidental poisonings), and make sure that everyone knows where to find it, and how to use it.

• Prepare an emergency medical supply “survival kit” for the case of an unexpected disaster such as a hurricane, power outage, flood, earthquake, tornado, etc.  The kit should include:  tools; battery-operated flashlight; battery-operated radio; containers of water; non-perishable food; and a first aid kit.

• Make sure everyone knows where the emergency shutoff switches or valves are for gas, oil, electricity, and water.

CHILD SAFETY TIPS:

• Ensure that all children know how to dial “911” in the case of an emergency, and how to give their addresses.

• Every medicine cabinet should have a child-proof section.

• Cabinets in kitchens, bathroom, and workshop areas should be securely locked that contain matches, lighters, flammable liquids, potentially poisonous household cleaners, garden pesticides, automobile chemicals, pool cleaners, etc.

• Electrical outlets should all be fitted with safety caps or devices.

• Store all portable and small electrical appliances, and their cords, out of the reach of children who could throw them in a sink, toilet, or tub.

• Stairwells should all have safety gates at the tops and bottoms.

• Fireplaces should have a metal screen that completely covers the opening.

• Sharp-edged furniture and fireplace hearths should have edge guards placed on them.

• Examine the house for potential child strangulation hazards (Venetian blind cords, electrical cords, drapery cords, etc).

• Bathtubs should have faucet spout guards.

• Place halogen torchiere lamps in locations where they cannot be tipped over by children.

• To prevent an infant from becoming trapped between the crib frame and the mattress, choose a firm mattress that fits snuggly and securely.

• Outdoor playground equipment should have protective surfacing under and around it.

SWIMMING POOL SAFETY TIPS:

• Pools should be surrounded by at least a four-foot fence, with a self-latching gate.

• Make sure that rescue equipment is available and easily accessible.

• Place life preserves close to the pool so they are easily accessible.

• Have a locking cabinet for storage of pool chemicals.

• Have a telephone poolside for emergencies, when every second counts.

HOME SECURITY TIPS:

• Display window decals or yard signs indicating that you have a home security system.  Studies have shown that this can help to significantly deter criminals.

• Put pins in window frames to make them more difficult to pry open.

• Use solid doors and double dead-bolts.

• In sliding glass doors, place a piece of wood in the slide or a metal pin in the frame, to make it harder to pry open from the outside.