June is National Safety Month. It’s a time to focus on how to keep your environment safe and free from danger. The National Safety Council founded this month in 1996 to spread awareness of safety hazards and unintentional injuries for industrial workers in the United States. Although originally focused on the workplace, this month is a good reminder to keep your home space safe as well.
As a home inspection company serving the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, we want to share some important safety tips for your home. By following these suggestions, you can have peace of mind that your home is a safe place for you, your family and visitors.
1. Clean out vents and dryer exhaust duct
Did you know that the air duct system in your home can accumulate dust, pollen, pet dander and more? By having your air duct system professionally cleaned, you can remove those unwanted particles that could be hindering your indoor air quality.
In addition, cleaning the exhaust duct for your dryer is another important task. Over time, lint accumulates in the vent, which reduces airflow and is a fire safety hazard. This is another job best left to a professional dryer vent cleaning company, as they will have the equipment needed to thoroughly clean your dryer vents. It will help your dryer run more efficiently and reduce the risk of a dryer fire.
2. Test/replace batteries in all smoke detectors
Smoke detectors are important to warn you of a fire. If the batteries are dead, it won’t be able to do its job, leaving you and your family at risk. If you haven’t tested your smoke detectors yet this year, make sure you check that off your list this month!
3. Reduce multi-outlet converters to prevent overloading
It’s tempting to plug a multi-outlet converter into the wall so you can plug in multiple things in one spot. However, this can overload your electrical system causing surges, overheating and even an electrical fire. If at all possible, try to only use the available wall outlets for your electrical needs.
4. Purchase or service fire extinguisher
Does your home have a fir extinguisher? If so, how long has it been since you’ve checked it? Most likely, it’s been awhile. So, take some time this month to look it over. Make sure the pin and tamper seal are in place and undamaged. Check the hose and nozzle for obstructions or any signs of damage or aging. If you’ve had your extinguisher for many years and aren’t sure if it’s still usable, have a professional check it.
If you don’t have at least one fire extinguisher in your house, now is the time to purchase one!
5. Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home
In addition to smoke detectors, you also need carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless gas that is difficult to detect by our human senses. It’s also deadly. A carbon monoxide detector will alert you of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, so you and your family can evacuate the house and take necessary measures to get the level down.
We hope you’ll participate in National Safety Month and implement these tips in your home for a safer environment. If you have any questions or would like one of our home inspectors to thoroughly inspect your home for other hazards, give us a call at 952-854-5110 or contact us.
