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Safety Tips
HELPFUL HOMEOWNER TIPS
How To Find Studs
How To Fix-It Yourself
How To Prevent Mold and Mildew
How To Make Sure It's Done Right - The First Time
How To Plan Ahead for an Emergency
How To Save Energy - Yet Still Be Comfortable
How To Evaluate Your Own Roof
EXTERIOR
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OUTSIDE LIGHTING
For safety it is recommended that you have sufficient exterior lighting, especially along porches
and walkways leading to your home, as well as on driveways and garages. Standard lights and
motion detectors may be purchased at most hardware stores. Wall-switch size timers are also
available that can significantly reduce energy consumption.
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SAFETY APPLIANCES
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SMOKE ALARMS
 Smoke alarms should be positioned throughout the home.
Particularly in bedrooms, and hallways directly outside of bed-
rooms. Smoke detectors should be placed on each level of the
home.
Smoke alarms should not be placed in corners or in the kitchen;
heat in the kitchen may cause recurring false alarms. Refer to the
manufacturers installation instructions for proper locations.
Batteries should be tested monthly to make sure they are
working. If the smoke detectors in your
home are hardwired, it is recommended that each have a battery backup.
If there are no smoke detectors in the home they may be purchased at any area hardware store.
There are also smoke detectors available for the hearing impaired. These are equipped with
strobe lights to signal the presence of smoke/fire.
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
Carbon monoxide detectors are recommended for safety in homes with fossil fuel appliances.
These can include natural gas furnaces, natural gas water heaters, wood burning stoves,
fireplace inserts or fuel oil furnaces. Carbon monoxide detectors may be purchased at most
hardware and department stores.
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INTERIOR ROOMS & APPLIANCES
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BATHROOM
Medications, cleaning products and other poisons should be kept out of the reach of children.
Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) should be installed on all outlets within 6 feet from
bathtub, shower or sink in all bathrooms, laundry rooms, as well as in the kitchen.
KITCHEN
All portable and small appliances and their cords should be kept
out of the reach of children and at a safe distance from the sink.
All portable and countertop appliances should be kept
unplugged when not in use.
Do not try to repair or use a damaged appliance; either buy a new
appliance or consult a licensed, qualified technician to make
repairs as necessary.
Have working, and fully charged UL Listed fire extinguishers in the
kitchen, garage, and other suitable locations.
Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) should be installed on all
outlets within 6 feet from bathtub, shower or sink in the kitchen as
well as in all bathrooms.
NURSERY / BEDROOMS
Have UL Listed smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms installed outside all
sleeping areas and near fuel-burning appliances such as natural gas furnaces, natural gas
water heaters, wood burning stoves, fireplace inserts or fuel oil furnaces.
If you have halogen torchier lamps, keep them in locations where they cannot be tipped over by
pets, wind, or children. Keep curtains or other combustible materials far away from torchier
lamps at all times.
Be aware of any strangulation hazards and take precautions as needed. To help prevent your
infant from becoming trapped between the crib frame and mattress, choose a firm mattress
that fits the crib frame snugly and securely. Also, make sure the mattress support does not
easily pull away from the corner posts. Use a tape measure to look for any additional areas
where an infant can become trapped. There should be no more than 2 3/8 inches between crib
slats, corner posts should not extend more than 1/16 of an inch above the end panels (unless
the corner posts extend at least 16 inches high for a canopy), and headboards and footboards
should not contain cutout areas.
LIVING AREAS
Use plastic outlet plug covers to stop children from inserting objects into outlets.
Make sure that all light fixtures have light bulbs of equal or lesser wattage than what is
recommended by the manufacturer.
Do not use extension cords if they have sustained any damage. Keep extension cords
unplugged when not in use. DO NOT run extension cords under carpeting or through doorway
areas.
FIREPLACE
If your home is equipped with a fireplace, it is recommended to have the chimney serviced on a
regular basis.
LAUNDRY
Many clothes dryers vent to the exterior through the roof. These vents are prone to clogging, and
regular cleaning is recommended. Call a licensed, qualified dryer repair representative to make
sure the vent pipe is not clogged.
GARAGE
Have working, UL Listed smoke detectors and fully charged UL Listed fire extinguishers in
garage
Test overhead door safety reverse mechanism and/or sensors monthly.
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DANGERS & SUBSTANCES
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MOLD & MILDEW
Molds and mildew can grow in damp, dark places. Molds and mildew have been known to cause lung problems; posing particular danger for people who have allergies or asthma. One way you can prevent the growth of these substances in your home is by controlling humidity.
 Control moisture. Installing a humidistat is recommended if you
will be away for the summer months.
Use an exhaust fan in the kitchen and bathroom. If exhaust fans
are not installed in your kitchen and/or bathroom, the installation
of these is recommended.
Fix plumbing leaks before mold grows. If you suspect the
presence of plumbing leaks, have a licensed, qualified plumber
make further evaluations and repairs to the situation to prevent
worsened conditions.
Bark contains millions of mold spores so do not store firewood inside your home.
CHEMICALS
Unwanted chemicals can enter the air in your home when you paint, use cleaning products, install pressed wood, install new carpets and use new fabrics. These chemicals can irritate your eyes, throat, and nose. High levels can give you a headache or make you feel dizzy.
Keep fresh air moving through your home, especially if you are or have recently performed one of
the above tasks that increase the level of chemicals in your home.
Read the label. Some chemicals should only be used in well-vented spaces. The label may tell
you if the chemicals can cause cancer or other health problems. Use the safest, most efficient
products with the fewest warnings.
ASBESTOS
Asbestos can be used in certain types of heating insulation, pipe wrap, floor tiles, slate siding and shingles, and ceiling tiles. When damaged, Asbestos is harmful and fibers enter the air. Breathing air containing asbestos fibers can increase your risk of lung cancer over several years.
If you think you may have asbestos in your home, contact a certified asbestos inspector or your
local public health department to find out what actions are needed.
Don’t try to remove asbestos by yourself. Only trained professionals should do this work.
CARBON MONOXIDE
You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of CO produced is usually not hazardous. However, if appliances are not working properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result. For info on how to protect your family, click the following link: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/coftsht.html
ASTHMA
Asthma causes wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing. This is an increasing danger and in most areas, thousands of children are hospitalized yearly with asthma. Pets, molds, pollen, and cockroaches can trigger asthma. Smoke, chemicals, ozone, and exhaust fumes can also trigger asthma.
 If a person with asthma is allergic to cats or dogs, the pet may need
to be removed from the home. At least keep pets out of the person’s
bedroom.
Consider adding a high efficiency air filter to your heating system.
Control humidity. Keep the humidity below 65% and fix moisture
problems. This will reduce dust mites, molds and mildew.
Reduce air pollutants like smoke, solvents, and pollen in your
home.
Get rid of cockroaches by carefully cleaning (especially in the
kitchen) and removing trash every day. Use pesticides as a last
resort.
Damp mop, damp dust, and vacuum often. Use mattress and
pillow covers. Remove carpets, drapes, books, stuffed animals, and
feather or down pillows and covers from the bedroom. Wash bedding once a week using hot
water to kill dust mites.
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