While June is recognized as National Safety Month, any time is a good time to beef up your home defenses to help prevent accidental injuries or sickness.
It doesn’t matter if you have babies at home, family members with special needs, elderly family members, etc.; everyone, no matter what age or condition they’re in, is prone to injury and therefore is prone to personal harm. As such, it behooves us all to take every reasonable step to guard against that.
Here are a few helpful suggestions from Optimum Air:
If you do have small children, make sure stairs are gated properly and that medication and household cleaners are locked and out of the way of little hands.
- Keep dark hallways and stairways safe at night with night lights.
- Fix loose floorboards, tiles, and hand rails as soon as you notice a problem.
- Don’t overload electrical outlets, and don’t exceed the recommended wattage in lighting fixtures.
- Help prevent scalds and burns by setting your hot water heater to 120 degrees, maximum.
- Put anti-slip mats on bathroom floors, and consider installing grab bars in shower and bath surrounds.
- Invest in a small kitchen fire extinguisher, and remember to replace it once it’s been used; they are not refillable.
- Stay close to the kitchen while cooking, and set a timer to remind you that there’s food on the stove or in the oven, and when it’s due to be completed.
- Test and replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least twice a year.
- Have an emergency evacuation plan in place – and practice it – in case of fire.
Here’s another way to make your home a safer environment: contact Optimum Air today to schedule an AC or heating system cleaning and inspection, especially if it’s been a year or longer since either system was last professionally serviced. During our inspection we’ll take steps to minimize the risk of an electrical fire. We’ll also check for possible gas or CO leaks and the presence of mold or mildew on your AC coil. Keeping your heating and cooling systems in top shape isn’t just about improved performance; it also has a great deal to do with your family’s added safety.