Spring Cleaning Dangers From Poisonous Products

We have had a busy first week of our #SpringIntoSafety campaign! As you may be aware, this week is Poison Prevention Week and hopefully all of you have seen our variety of safety tips here or on our various social media platforms.

Please make sure you check out our Twitter and Facebook pages in particular. As well, we have posted information on our Instagram and Pinterest accounts.

Since it is spring time many of you naturally start the annual spring cleaning ritual both indoors and outdoors. Unfortunately, there are many hidden dangers lurking that you need to be aware of as you clean. Please take a moment and review the below tips to keep you and your family safe this spring.  

Tip sheet can also be found in pdf version by clicking HERE

Clothes Dryer Cleaning Day – Preventing A Potential Fire In Your Home!

Over the last several months, MCFRS personnel have responded to fires involving clothes dryers.  One way to prevent these fires is to clean in and around your clothes dryer at least once a year.

With the start of spring just a couple of days away, what better way to start your annual "spring cleaning" then by taking care of an oft over-looked part of many homes. 

Last year I cleaned my clothes dryer and, as you can see by the pictures below, there was a ton of lint build up in, on, and around it. These pictures show why it is very important you take time to clean both inside and outside the clothes dryer and not just the lint trap.

A couple of pictures show what happens to the inside of your pipe that runs in and just outside your dryer (Fig 1) that carries the hot air, and lint, out. The next photo (Fig 2) shows the inside of the flexible duct that connects to your dryer pipe and then connects to another pipe that usually runs to the outside of your house.

In the next photo (Fig 3) you can see the cleaning device I used to run up into the pipe and dryer and the large amount of lint I pulled out of the dryer. These photos clearly show the large amount of lint that builds up and can, when heated up by the hot air of the dryer, actually ignite and catch fire! The more the build up, the better chance for ignition and then – a fire in your home!

A couple of the photos (Fig 4 & 5) clearly show just how dusty and dirty the back of your dryer and the floor behind and underneath it can become. This also can create problems and hazards and you need to make sure you clean these spots as well!

For more tips please go here: Clothes Dryer Fire Safety Tips

We hope you will take this opportunity to "Spring Into Safety" and help make your home a safer place!
 

 

Fig 1

 

Fig 2

 



Fig 3

Fig 4





Fig 5

Keep it Clean! Make safety part of your Spring cleaning routine

Spring cleaning is a great time to focus on safety in and around the home and to identify and correct any potential safety hazards. Following the safety tips outlined below can help get your spring off to a safe start:

•When using ladders, check for safe and proper placement. Be aware of any obstructions including overhead wires and tree branches.

• Inspect your grill prior to use. Check grill hoses for leaks and cracks and store propane tanks away from your house and garage. When disposing of ashes from a charcoal grill, put them in a metal bucket and either soak in water or let stand for several days before disposing of them.

• Recycle: Get rid of old newspapers, magazines and junk mail. These items tend to pile up quickly and can contribute to the severity and spread of fire. Pay special attention to items that may have collected near your furnace, hot water heater, fireplace and stairs over the winter months.

• Check play equipment for loose or exposed hardware, broken parts and stability before children begin playing on outside toys.

• Never operate a lawn mower in your bare feet, avoid wearing loose clothing and wear proper eye protection.

• Be safe with toxic items - household and pool chemicals, paints and poisons should be properly marked and stored under lock and key and safely out of children’s reach. Dispose of any that are leaking or expired. Additionally, clean up work areas. Put dangerous tools, adhesives, matches, or other work items out of children’s reach.

• Fill lawn mowers, motorbikes and power saws outside and only when the motor is cool.

• Store gasoline in a cool place away from the house in a detached garage or shed, and always in an approved safety can.

• Fire is not the way to get rid of yard waste. Leaf burning and general yard waste burning is not permitted in Montgomery County. Dispose or recycle yard waste properly or mulch/compost yard waste and trimmings.

• Spring is also an important time to assess your home’s fire prevention tools and readiness. Following these simple maintenance and prevention tips can help keep you and your loved ones safe:

- Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working.

- Be sure to change the batteries in all smoke alarms annually. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm units should be replaced every 10 years, according to manufacturer recommendations.

- Changing weather temperatures can cause windows and doors to stick. Windows should be checked to ensure they can open and close properly in case they are needed as exits in an emergency.

- Review and practice your home escape plan. Conduct a home fire drill and be sure everyone knows the location of your family’s outdoor meeting place.

- Make sure your house address numbers are visible from the street. Addresses that are hidden, unreadable or have missing numbers may delay emergency responders from getting to you as quickly as possible.