Keep your home as safe as possible by staying on top of these concerns:
Fire alarms: Make sure all alarms (smoke and carbon monoxide) are in good working condition and placed in the right areas of your home. There should be one on each floor. Choose a month (February works) and replace batteries annually, or more often if necessary.
Stove fires: Review emergency procedures if there's a fire on the stove. Never use water to put out grease fires. Instead, you should do one of the following:
- Use a fire extinguisher (test it annually to make sure it still works).
- Smother the fire with a wet towel or put a lid on it and turn off the element.
- Throw baking soda or table salt over the fire.
Cuts: Dull knives are far more dangerous than sharp ones (a dull knife is more likely to slip when you are trying to cut) – so be sure all your knives are sharp. Listen for the mobile sharpener truck, buy a manual knife sharpener or take knives to a retailer that provides sharpening.
Slips and falls: Wood floors are a popular flooring choice in homes today and while they're beautiful, they can also be slippery. Be sure that everyone wears slippers with non-slip bottoms, and provide several pairs at the front door for guests. Keeping floors vacuumed regularly will help too, as dust can make hardwood more slippery.
Clean air: One of the best ways to keep the air clean in your home is to keep the filters clean that are used in the furnace (this will extend the life of your furnace too). Replace filters every 1-3 months, depending on the type of filter you purchase. If you have pets, you may need to change your filter more often.
Mould: Moisture and insufficient ventilation can cause mould to develop in the bathroom. Get rid of mould right away by removing it with hot soapy water and baking soda, or a commercial cleaner that contains bleach. If mould is on the shower curtain, take it down and wash it in the washing machine, then hang it to dry.
