Top Twenty Safety Items for Your Home
1. Smoke Detectors. Change the batteries twice a year when you change your clocks. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recommends that you replace your smoke detectors after ten years and test them once a month to be sure they work.
2. Carbon Monoxide Detectors. The NFPA recommends these alarms for households with attached garages and those with fuel-burning appliances or fireplaces.
3. Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters. These electrical outlets with quick-tripping circuit breakers help prevent death or injury from electrocution and can be installed by an electrician.
4. Fire Extinguishers. A multipurpose dry chemical class ABC type is the best fire extinguisher for home use. Keep one in the kitchen, one in the bedroom, one near the fireplace, and one in your car. Make sure everyone in the household knows how to use them. Check the extinguishers periodically and replaced them when they expire.
5. Emergency Evacuation Plan. Come up with a plan for escaping in a fire and for natural disasters. Make sure everyone in the house participates in the practices.
6. Flashlights. Keep a flashlight under or near each person's bed and one in the basement. If you live in an area with frequent power failures, buy a few of the kind with a large base so they don't have to be hand held if the power is off for several hours. Check batteries every few months and store a supply of extra batteries where you can find them easily.
7. First Aid Kit. Include First-aid manual, Sterile gauze pads, Adhesive tape, Adhesive bandages, Scissors, Elastic bandage, Safety pins, Latex or thin plastic medical gloves, Peroxide for cleansing wounds and dissolving blood stains, Antiseptic liquid or ointment, Small plastic bags, Benzocaine spray, Hydrocortisone cream, Benadryl, Ibuprofen, Saline eye drops, Tweezers, Thermometer, Mouthpiece for administering CPR, Cotton swabs.
8. List of Emergency Phone Numbers.
9. Shutoff Valve Tags. Label the turnoff valves for gas, oil, and water and clearly mark the main electricity shutoff. Know how to use each in case of emergency.
10. Grab Bars. Since falls are among the leading causes of home accidents, and bathtubs are among the slipperiest surfaces, anchor grab bars into the wall studs in tubs and showers.
11. Slip-Resistant Finishes. Use non-slip mats or strips or decals in bathtubs and showers to help prevent slipping.
12. Safety Glazing. Every glass pane in your house should be shatterproof. Look for a mark in the lower corner showing the manufacturer's name and type and thickness of safety glass. Don't forget shower and patio doors.
13. Handrails. Indoors or outdoors, every staircase in your home should have secure handrails on both sides.
14. Step Stool / Utility Ladder. Keeping a lightweight, sturdy step stool in a convenient spot will decrease the likelihood of anyone taking chances standing on a chair or other dangerous perch.
15. Sufficient Lighting. Help prevent falls with nightlights near bedrooms and bathrooms. Keep interior and exterior stairways and walkways adequately lit.
16. Tested Appliances. Every electric and gas appliance in your home should carry the Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), or American Gas Association (AGA) designations.
17. Safety Goggles. These are an absolute necessity when using certain tools; they're also recommended by the NSC for indoor cleaning, garage, and yard work.
18. Survival Kit.
19. Childproofing.
20. Pool Safety. Homes with swimming pools should have the following: A four-foot fence with self-closing and latching gate, Life preservers, Rescue equipment, Lockable cabinet for storing pool chemicals, Poolside telephone.
For more information please contact:
Joe Crain
Century 21, Smith & Associates
(210) 710-3270
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How to Avoid Calling a Repairman
Things fall apart. They also get clogged, jammed, broken, or just mysteriously stop working -- usually when you can least afford the disruption. Instead of calling a repairman (they rarely come quickly -- or cheaply), try these fix-it-yourself methods for a few common household predicaments.
I. To Unclog Sinks and Tubs:
1. Remove as much standing water as possible and slowly pour a large pot of boiling water down the drain to dissolve the blockage.
2. Pump the drain three times with a plunger. Try a couple of times, if necessary.
3. Put a bucket under the U-shaped part of the drain pipe and unscrew it with a wrench. Poke a bent wire hanger up toward the drain to dislodge the gunk.
4. Help keep drains clear by pouring a cup of bleach down every couple of weeks. Many plumbers discourage using chemical drain cleaner because they contain caustic chemicals which are dangerous, bad for the plumbing, and not particularly effective.
II. To Fix Stopped-up Toilets:
1. If something such as a child's toy or washcloth has accidentally fallen into the toilet, roll up your sleeves, pull on your rubber gloves, and fish around in there until you find it. To make longer "gloves", use a couple of old plastic bread wrappers fastened loosely around your upper arm with rubber bands.
2. Don't flush. Let the water drain away as much as possible and pour in a bucket of boiling water all at once.
3. Push a toilet plunger up and down as firmly and quickly as possible. Be sure the cup fits snugly over the bottom of the bowl. Repeat at least three times.
4. Buy or rent a plumber's auger (a long snake with a metal spiral at the end). Push it into the bowl and keep cranking until it meets the blockage. At that point you can either try to pull the blockage out by slowly retracting the auger, or move the auger handle around quickly to dislodge the obstruction.
III. To Fix an Electricity Failure:
Electricity is something you don't want to fool around with casually, but some problems are simple to diagnose and correct. If you can't easily solve an electrical problem, call an expert -- don't try to fix it yourself.
1. In a blackout or partial blackout. Look outside to see if nearby homes have been affected. If not, grab a flashlight and check your circuit breakers to see if an overload has tipped them. You'll recognize this because the breakers will have moved away from the "on" position. If this has happened, first switch off all but a couple of lights and the refrigerator. Then turn on the breakers one by one. Turning breakers on all at once can blow your entire circuit box.
2. If a lamp or room light won't work. Unscrew the light bulb and shake it gently. If you hear a tiny rattle, the filament is broken and the bulb must be replaced. If the bulb seems okay, twist it to see if it's screwed in properly. Bulbs sometimes work loose and just need to be tightened. Go to the circuit box and see if the circuit breaker has been tripped due to an overload. And don't overlook the "dumb" factor -- if there's a light switch on the wall, make sure it's in the on position.
IV. To Fix Dripping Water Faucets:
1. If you have a newer type of faucet, with hot and cold combined, you will probably need to replace the cartridge to fix a drop. Purchase a repair kit from a hardware store and follow the instructions.
2. If you have a classic stem faucet with separate hot and cold handles, turn off the water supply, unscrew the handle, and replace the old washer with a new one. If you don't have a new washer, you can sometimes make do by turning the old one over.
3. If you prefer a quick fix to a permanent repair (at 3:00 A.M., perhaps), wrap a string around the spout and let it trail into the sink. The water will soak into the string and slip quietly into the sink. To conserve water, put a pan in the sink and save the leakage for your plants or garden.
V. To Correct Low Flow From a Faucet:
This is sometimes caused by a buildup of deposits of small debris in the aerator (the little screen at the end of the spout). Unscrew the nozzle and clear out the screen. Occasionally, water flow is blocked by a worn washer at the spout. If the aerator screen is clean, inspect the washer for signs of wear.
VI. To Clear a Jammed Garbage Disposal:
1. Before removing an item from the disposal, always make sure the wall switch is turned off. Remove the black-flapped washer from the top of the disposal and retrieve the loose item from the bottom. When the item is out, run the cold water, push the small red button at the bottom of the machine to reset the circuit breaker, then flip the wall switch on. If the machine still doesn't work, try resetting the circuit breaker again.
2. To remove an item that can't be retrieved by simply reaching in from the top, insert a disposal wrench (available in any hardware store) into the hole at the bottom of the unit and rotate the wrench back and forth to free the disposal blades. If you don't have a disposal wrench, try inserting a broom handle from the top and gently working the teeth around until you can pull the object free. Then follow the procedure above for resetting the circuit breakers.
3. Keep the disposal clean and sanitary by grinding ice cubes in it every couple of weeks and adding a few tablespoons of Comet (or other powdered cleanser with bleach) while the unit runs.
For more information please contact:
Joe Crain
Century 21, Smith & Associates
(210) 710-3270
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What to Keep in a Disaster Kit
The secret to coping as calmly as possible with an emergency is to be ready before it happens. Earthquakes, hurricanes, blizzards, and other natural disaster are unnerving enough. When they cut off access to power, water, groceries, and other necessities, they can be both frightening and disorienting. But it you've stockpiled essentials ahead of time and coached your family on disaster preparedness, you will have as much protection as you can.
A 30-gallon trashcan, a large plastic storage bin, or any other durable, reasonably light container with a tight-fitting lid will make a fine disaster kit. Store the kit in a garage, basement, or any out-of-the-way place that is large enough to accommodate it and reasonably easy to get to. (You won't want to climb into the attic in some types of emergencies.)
1. Tools. Pipe and crescent wrenches, screwdrivers, crowbar, and any tools required to turn off utilities. Ask your utility companies how to turn off gas, water, and electricity in an emergency. Don't turn off the gas unless you're certain there is a leak. You may have to wait days to have it restarted by the gas company.
2. Heavy protective gloves.
3. Candles and matches. Keep them in watertight container within the kit.
4. Battery-operated radio.
5. Flashlight.
6. Extra batteries for radio and flashlight.
7. Fire extinguisher.
8. "Swiss Army" knife.
9. Can opener.
10. Eating utensils.
11. Disposable plates (paper, Styrofoam, or plastic).
12. Aluminum foil.
13. Plastic trash bags.
14. Extra blankets. You can buy emergency foil blankets (which store very compactly) at camping or sporting goods stores.
15. First-aid Kit.
16. Personal items. Pack toothbrushes, toothpaste, razor, combs, soap, and other items your family will want for personal hygiene.
17. Warm clothes and sturdy shoes. The shoes can be especially important if floors are covered with broken glass. A heavy sweater for each family member will come in handy if your home is without heat. If you live in an earthquake zone, keep your sturdy shoes under the bed in case a quake hits at night. If you need to be prepared for a severe weather disaster an evacuation, store the shoes and warm clothes near the top of the kit where they'll be easy to get to.
18. Money. Hide enough cash to get your family by for at least three days.
19. Nonperishable food. Store enough prepared food that doesn't need heating to feed your family for at least three days. It's a good idea to choose foods your family enjoys (and to include candy bars and other treats) to keep morale and energy up. To keep your emergency stash fresh, rotate the food (including canned goods) into your pantry at least every year and substitute with newly purchased items.
20. Bottled drinking water. One gallon per person, per day for at least three days is the rule of thumb. Store water in airtight containers and keep the jugs away from gasoline or other products with poisonous fumes. Replace the stored water twice a year (changing the water when your turn your clocks for daylight savings will help your remember to do it) and use the old water to drench the garden.
21. Bleach or disinfectant tablets. If the water has been contaminated with bacteria, you can purify it by adding a teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water or disinfectant tablets according to the manufacturer's directions.
Be Prepared. To prepare for a possible evacuation, put important family documents together in a small plastic container and know the location of the mementos and heirlooms you would grab if authorities ordered you to leave immediately. Keep your vehicle's gas tank at least half full at all times and fill it up at the first mention of possible severe weather. To prepare for any disaster, designate an out-of-state relative or friend to be called in case the household gets separated. That way, each person will know the others are accounted for, even if they can't get in touch with them right away.
For more information please contact:
Joe Crain
Century 21, Smith & Associates
(210) 710-3270
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