Practice Fire Safety with Spring Chores….

As spring approaches thoughts turn to spring cleaning up from the long winter, making repairs around the home and enjoying the outdoors. Keeping a few safety thoughts in mind will help you make your spring experience much more enjoyable.

This is the perfect time for a refresher on fire safety tips that should be followed year-round. Keeping fire safety in mind when doing things around the house.

Inside the Home:

Check and clean your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Check and clean your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Check your fire extinguishers

Check for overloaded or damaged extension cords

Prepare for storm related outages (make sure your flashlights and portable radios have batteries and that other supplies, such as bottled water, are stocked and available)

Practice exit drills with your family so everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency

Properly store household chemicals and never mix cleaning agents

Check and clean your dryer’s lint filter after each load of laundry

Keep the area around the dryer clear of debris and things that can burn

Outside and Around the Yard:

Make sure your address numbers are up and visible from the street

Clean up yard debris.

Cut back dead limbs and grasses

Maintain a clear 'fire zone' of 10' around structures.

Clean up leaves and debris and consider using stone or non-combustible mulches

Check outdoor electrical outlets and other electrical appliances

Get your grill cleaned and serviced.

Check all propane tanks and lines for leaks and damage

Keep 100' of garden hose with an attached nozzle connected and ready for use

In the Garage or Shed:

Clean up and properly store paints, pool and yard chemicals

Check fuels containers for leaks and make sure they are properly stored

Have all power equipment cleaned, serviced and readied for use

For more fire safety tips, visit www.nfpa.org/safetytips.