 Spring-cleaning should also include safety checks to prepare for the warmer months. Indiana Farmers Mutual Insurance Company suggests following the tips below to have a safe Spring.
Be sure to remove dead limbs from all of the trees near your residence. We recommend using a professional tree trimming service because of the possibilities of falling or being injured by tree trimming devices.
Please maintain fences around pools to protect small children from falling into the pool.
Repair all cracked or uneven driveways and walkways to prevent guests and family members from slipping, tripping or falling.
Clean your heating and air-conditioning filters routinely to avoid overheating the unit and causing a short or fire.
Remove bird nests from dryer vents and/or other exterior vents of the home to prevent heat build-up that could potentially cause a fire.
Clean the creosote build-up in the chimney from winter use.
As we "change from winter to spring," be sure to test your smoke alarms and change the batteries, if necessary. Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
Do not store flammables, plastics or similar items in your attic where temperatures can rise in excess of 100 degrees in the summer months.
Do not store gasoline in the same area as the lawnmower. Allow time for your lawnmower to cool before putting it in its storage space.
Keep your children safe. Do not allow children to play in the area that you are mowing, ride on the lawnmower with you or play on the lawnmower when it is not in use.
Avoid storing oil or gasoline rags, or cloths used for staining wood or cleaning paint spills, which can ignite spontaneously.
Avoid overloading home outlets and extension cords with multiple appliances, fans, radios, etc., which could potentially cause a fire or short in the outlet, cord or the appliance itself. Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged.
Unplug computers, televisions, stereos and any other components or appliances that do not require power when you are gone for vacations or extended weekends in the event of power surges or lightning strikes.
Temporarily halt newspaper and mail deliveries when leaving for vacations.
Ask friends, relatives or neighbors to look after your home while you are on vacation to give your home a "lived-in" appearance during your absence. With their surveillance, you can also potentially avoid or minimize unexpected damages from broken water pipes or appliances that were inadvertently left on.
Take advantage of today's low cost surge protection devices to minimize loss caused by power surges and lightning. While many of these devices will not prevent all damages that are caused by lightning, many will minimize or prevent damages from power surges and distant lightning strikes. Many surge protection device manufacturers even offer reimbursement for appliances damaged when the device is used.
Pay attention to water spills and leaks for the potential of mold developing which occurs more often during the warmer months. In the event of a water line/pipe break, contact a water extraction service as soon as possible to minimize the damages. Most of these water emergency services can prevent major damages from occurring, including potential mold and mildew issues.
Run through a severe-weather drill and fire drill with your family. |