Category Archives: Safety

Extreme Maintenance – Home Edition (Spring)

Posted on by

Now that spring has arrived and the warm weather is upon us, many of us find ourselves cleaning out the garage and airing out the house. Home maintenance is an important practice to keep your home efficient, healthy, and structurally safe. Many of these home maintenance tips also preserve the value of your home and will save money no later repairs by keeping small problems from escalating into larger ones.

When undergoing any home projects, please keep safety in mind at all times. Do not attempt any dangerous or unfamiliar tasks on your own. If you need help, consult a qualified technician or contractor.

Outside

Roof, Attic, and Gutters

  • Inspect the roof from the ground. Look for any missing or damaged shingles as well as any bulges or sagging.
  • Inspect the gutters and drainage system to verify that all parts are properly connected and that water is being routed at least four feet from the exterior walls of your home.
  • Remove any debris from the gutters.
  • Inspect the trim and fascia for damage.
  • Inspect the roof from the inside of the attic to check for any signs of leakage or damage.

Exterior

  • Inspect wood surfaces including decks and steps. Check for rot, loose boards, or exposed nails.
  • Inspect all utility wires running to your home. Ensure that trees are not too close.
  • Consider removing dead trees.
  • Inspect walkways and driveway for damage. Fill any potholes and patch the cracks.

Windows & Doors

  • Inspect weather stripping around all windows and exterior doors.
  • Inspect screens for damage.
  • Inspect the handles and locks on all exterior doors. Ensure that they close tightly and that the locking mechanisms are secure.

Inside

Emergency Preparedness

  • Inspect your smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. The batteries in the smoke detectors need to be changed regularly and the gauge on the fire extinguisher will show the amount of pressure in the tank.
  • Hold a fire drill with family members. Practice with your children the escape routes from different parts of the house. Plan where you will meet if there is an alarm.
  • Consider a gas-powered generator to provide a backup power source to your home.
  • Consider storing a supply of nonperishable food and water. Rotate your emergency supply to prevent spoilage.

Basement

  • Inspect foundation for any shifting or cracks. Seal any cracks.
  • Inspect wood for evidence of insect damage.
  • Check for any signs of moisture or mold. Address any problems immediately.
  • Consider a dehumidifier to keep air in the basement dry.
  • Consider a sump pump to prevent water from building up on the basement floor.

Electrical

  • Test all Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) Outlets.
  • Trip and reset all circuit breakers. (Be sure to power off any electronic devices prior to doing this).
  • Inspect the main electrical panel for any signs of damage, especially burn marks.
  • Inspect outlets for poor wiring or bad connections. These can lead to electrical fires.
  • Consider replacing low-efficiency lightbulbs with high-efficiency bulbs.

Plumbing

  • Use drain cleaning solution on any slow drains.
  • Remove buildup from plumbing traps.
  • Inspect water heater for any sign of water leakage. Make sure there is proper ventilation if you have a gas-powered heater.
  • Test shutoff valves for all plumbing fixtures.
  • Check all faucets and beneath every sink for evidence of leakage.

Kitchen

  • Vacuum the refrigerator coils.
  • Remove any ice buildup from your freezer.
  • Deep-clean the oven and stove.

Air Conditioning System

  • Clean the filter and condenser.
  • Listen for any abnormal sounds.
  • Check to make sure the system works before the heat sets in. If your system needs to be serviced, you should take care of it early on.

Amanda’s Law

Posted on by

“Amanda’s Law” is legislature that took effect on February 22, 2010. It’s a law that was designed to increase the safety of all homes in NY State by reducing or eliminating the harmful effects of exposure to carbon monoxide. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of poisoning death in the United States. Here are some of the provisions of the law:

  • All new homes are required to have Carbon monoxide detectors hard wired into the electrical system of the home.
  • Homes built prior to January 1, 2008 are permitted to have battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Detectors should be installed on the lowest level of the home having a bedroom and should be audible to all bedrooms even with doors closed.
  • Contractors installing new furnaces and water heaters are required to install a carbon monoxide detector in any home that does not already have one.

Carbon Monoxide Facts

Carbon monoxide can be produced when burning any type of fuel including gasoline, charcoal, propane, natural gas, kerosene, oil, wood or coal. If any flammable material burns incompletely, carbon monoxide is produced. Carbon monoxide can be fatal after minutes or hours of exposure, depending on the levels in the air.

When carbon monoxide is inhaled at damaging levels it can lead to breathing difficulties, impaired judgment and memory, damage to the nervous system, cardiac trauma, brain damage, coma and death. Everyone is susceptible, but the American Medical Association says that unborn and young children, pregnant women, senior citizens and people with heart or respiratory problems are especially vulnerable and are at the highest risk for death or serious injury.

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for the flu and can include dizziness, fatigue, weakness, throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting, irregular breathing, sleepiness and confusion. By the time people realize there is a problem, they are often too sick or too disoriented to get out of the house and get help.