Preventing a fire in your home can be as easy as
integrating a couple of cleaning tips into your spring cleaning routine.
Clean out the lint
trap in your dryer. Collected lint can spark a fire and the lint trap, and
the hose, need to be cleared regularly. If your community includes a shared
laundry space, the machines should be serviced regularly and cleared of lint in
the trap and in the hose. If they are not, tell the manager.
Check the
batteries in your smoke alarms. Test your alarm and make sure it’s working
and that it’s loud enough to alert you to any dangers. These batteries are the
equivalent of changing a light bulb: they are your responsibility.
Do a quick kitchen
audit. Keeping your stove clear of paper products or towels could prevent a
fire. Every kitchen should have a working fire extinguisher too.
Review your safety
plan with the family. Every apartment community will have a safety exit
plan and it’s smart to review how to escape at least once a year, especially if
you have children.
Unplug your
appliances when they are not being used. From the hairdryer or curling iron
to the toaster, you can unplug machines when they aren’t in use. Older appliances
may have frayed cords that need to be replaced or repaired.
Buy surge
protectors. A surge protector can keep a fuse from blowing, and help to
manage how many appliances are plugged into one outlet. Overloading outlets
could lead to an electrical fire.
Clean the barbecue
before you turn it on. Baked on bits on the grill could lead to a fire if
not properly cleaned. You need to scrape the grates and take the time to clear
debris out of the bottom of the grill too. If you are allowed to have a propane
grill or charcoal grill, be especially careful with its operation and storage.