As the weather warms up and the flowers start to bloom, it’s a good time to think about doing some spring cleaning your home with safety in mind. While you go about decluttering your living space and refreshing your wardrobe for the new season – you will want to keep the safety of your home in mind to ensure that your property and loved ones are protected. There are three main areas we recommend focusing on while you are spring cleaning to ensure your family’s safety and enjoy the season with peace of mind.
1. Fire Hazards
Spring cleaning is an excellent opportunity to check for potential fire hazards in your home. Here are some areas to focus on:
- Electrical appliances and cords: Check your electrical appliances and cords for signs of wear and tear, fraying, or damage. Replace any damaged cords or appliances immediately.
- Smoke detectors: Test your smoke detectors to ensure they are working correctly. Replace any batteries that are low or expired. At SEi, we have safe and effective smoke and carbon monoxide detectors available that are equipped with the most current technology advances to protect your home in the event of a fire. Not only will a fire alarm alert you when you are home, but if you are not home our detectors are monitored 24/7 by our monitoring center. In the event an alarm is set off we will call you, and we will notify your local fire department if necessary.
- Dryer vents: An average of 15970 fires are caused each year by dryer vents so you will want to clean out your dryer vents to remove lint build-up.
- Chimneys and fireplaces: Have your chimneys and fireplaces professionally cleaned to remove any build-up of soot and debris that can be a fire hazard.
2. Visibility and Lighting
Spring is a great time to clean and update your outdoor lights to improve safety around your home. When your lighting is working appropriately, this ensures any security cameras are better able to capture activity happening at night. By taking the below steps, you can ensure that your outdoor lights are functioning properly and helping to keep your property safe and secure.
- Clean the light fixtures: Use a soft cloth and a mild cleaner to wipe down the light fixtures to remove any dirt, dust, or debris that may have accumulated.
- Replace burnt out bulbs: Check all outdoor light bulbs and replace any that are burnt out or flickering.
- Check the wiring: Inspect the wiring for any signs of damage, fraying, or wear and tear. Replace any damaged wiring to avoid any electrical hazards.
- Upgrade to LED bulbs: Consider upgrading your outdoor lights to LED bulbs, which are more energy-efficient and longer-lasting than traditional bulbs.
- Install motion sensors: Motion sensors can help improve safety around your home by illuminating areas when movement is detected.
- Position lights strategically: Position outdoor lights in strategic locations around your property to improve visibility and deter potential intruders.
3. Storage
Spring cleaning is the perfect time to organize and declutter your storage areas while also checking for potential safety hazards. Here are some tips for spring cleaning your storage items for safety:
- Check for expired items: Go through all of your storage items and check for any items that are expired, such as medications, cleaning supplies, or batteries. Properly dispose of any expired items to avoid any potential hazards.
- Store chemicals safely: If you store any chemicals in your storage areas, make sure they are stored safely and away from any flammable items.
- Check for damage: Inspect all storage containers, shelves, and other items for any signs of damage, such as cracks or breaks. Replace any damaged items to avoid any safety hazards.
- Store items properly: Properly store items in their designated containers or bins, and make sure heavy items are stored on lower shelves to avoid any potential injuries from falling. You can also add an SEi cabinet contact to any storage containers – which will alert you when an item is opened.
CONTACT US TO HELP SECURE YOUR HOME
When you are spring cleaning, be sure to be on the lookout for more ways you can secure your home. Contact SEi Security today to learn more about what tools we can provide to keep your home secure.
