Make fire prevention part of your spring cleaning

Add checking kitchen appliances, propane tanks and smoke alarms to your list of chores, writes Mike Doyle

Yorkregion.com
March 15, 2021
Chief Mike Doyle

Spring is in the air!

Saturday, March 20 marks the first day of spring, and warmer weather is right around the corner. It is also the time when people start doing a deep clean of their homes, garages and properties.

When starting your spring cleaning, you should check all fire extinguishers to ensure they are in good working order, replacing or unplugging damaged and overloaded extension cords.

Before you fire up the barbecue, make sure you clean it properly by removing built-up grease and debris. Check the propane tanks and lines for leaks, and always remember to position the grill well away from combustible objects. Never leave a lit grill unattended.

It is also important to take some time to maintain your appliances. Check and clean filters above the stove and change the furnace filter. Pull out the fridge to vacuum or dust the coils and move your dryer to check and clean its vent. Don’t forget to clean the dryer’s lint filter between each load.

There are more things you can do outside your house to keep you firesafe. Make sure your address numbers are up and visible from the street. In the event of a fire, this will help responders identify your home. You should also ensure there is space for emergency vehicles in the event of an emergency.

Daylight-saving time also ends this month, on Sunday, March 14. This is a good reminder to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and change their batteries to make sure they are in good working condition.

By law, a smoke alarm is required on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas. This is for a good reason -- everyone needs to hear the alarm so they have time to get out safely. Fire spreads quickly, so every second counts.

Working smoke alarms can be the difference between life and death. It’s easy to check and change the batteries. All it takes are a few minutes and a couple of dollars -- a small price to pay for peace of mind.

While fire prevention can’t do anything about your alarm clock, it will help make sure you have a family to wake up to in the morning.