During this time of the year, many of us decorate our homes to reflect the fall season and Halloween. If the intention is for your house to be scary, that’s cute, but it’s not cute if there are things in your home that may be dangerous or costly. Let’s look at some of the things that are not cute about a scary house.
Dirty or Damaged Fireplace
Fireplaces that are not maintained on a regular basis can have creosote buildup that can cause a chimney fire. Wood burning fireplaces without the proper screen can have embers pop out into the home and create a fire. Have your fireplaces checked for safety.
Alarms
Fire, carbon monoxide and gas detection alarms should be tested often and new batteries installed each year. This is easy to forget, but essential for your family’s safety.
Tripping Hazards
Clutter in a home can create an opportunity for a devastating fall. An estimated 9,500 deaths of older Americans are associated with falls each year. Clear your traffic areas of loose clutter, keep things picked up off the floor and if you have rugs, make sure they are secure and that the corners and edges are not raised.
Mold and Mildew
The corners of showers, shower doors and frames, window tracks in and around the kitchen and bathroom sinks, under the sink, refrigerator doors and seals, ceilings and walls above the shower are all places that mold can grow. Mold is the culprit for many of the illnesses we suffer from such as allergies and asthma. Have these areas thoroughly cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis.
Old Food
Do you remember to check the dates on the food in your fridge and freezer? It’s easy to think that if it is frozen, it is probably okay, but there is an expiration date on everything. A good time to check all the dates is when you have a complete clean-out of the fridge and freezer.
Pet Waste
As much as we love our pets, their waste can carry disease and germs. If you have a pet who is not house trained well, the urine can get trapped in the carpet and flooring and create a very unhealthy environment. Make sure kitty boxes are cleaned daily and sand changed out often. Have carpets cleaned by a licensed professional and train the dog.
Inadequate Lighting
How many times have you stubbed a toe while finding your way around the house at night? Whether it is inside or outside, make sure there are plug-in night lights or solar walkway lighting to prevent running into something, banging your head or tripping.
Emergency Kit
It doesn’t take a lot of money, time or space to create a three-day emergency kit with first aid, non-perishable food, a change of clothes, flashlights, medicine, candles, radio and water. It all fits nicely in a trash can on wheels in case you need to get out of your home quickly in a storm, earthquake, fire evacuation, loss of power or any other emergency.
These are just a few things to consider when deciding if your house might be scary. Enjoy the fall season safely and make sure the only things scary in your house are the decorations. QCBN
By Lucy Leyva
Lucy Leyva is the proud owner of MTO Janitorial LLC, and Prescott Maid to Order LLC, both local cleaning companies based out of Prescott Valley, serving Northern Arizona since 2005. For any cleaning inquiry, please contact us at 928-772-0004 and/or visit our website at mtojanitorial.com.
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