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Spring Safety
With the change in time, did we remember to
change our smoke alarm batteries if we haven’t
we should immediately. With the days being
longer and warmer weather here, people in our
community are emerging from their winter cocoons
to focus on long-neglected projects like spring
cleaning, home repairs, and yard work. These
activities can be extremely beneficial, but they
also involve a variety of health and safety
hazards that can be avoided with the proper
precautions. To help ensure everyone in our
community stays safe this season, the members of
the Mills River Fire & Rescue bring you the
following tips and suggest you post them where
they can be seen by your family members and
co-workers.
Cleaning for Safety
Nature is undergoing a fresh start and so are
homeowners. Many are ready to clean up the
debris that has been accumulating in basements,
storage sheds, and garages.
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Household and pool chemicals, paints, and
poisons should be properly marked and stored
under lock and key, away from children’s reach.
Dispose of any that are leaking, expired, or
that look bad.
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When cleaning up a hazardous chemical, wear
rubber gloves and follow the safety directions
on the packaging. Never mix chemicals in the
same container. If you don’t know how to dispose
these items, contact Henderson County Emergency
Management. Never put them into the trash or
pour down the drain.
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Make sure gasoline and chemicals are well
marked, stored in cool dry place away from the
house and out of the reach of children and pets.
Use only approved containers for gasoline
storage.
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Never use gasoline to clean skin, clothes, auto
parts, or floors.
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Clean-up work areas. Put dangerous tools,
adhesives, and matches and lighters away from
children’s reach or locked up.
·
Check barbecue grills for leaks and cracks.
Store any propane tanks away from the house and
garage.
·
Remove all fire hazards, including stacks of
rags, newspapers, boxes, and magazines. Pay
special attention to the spaces around the
furnace, hot water tank, fireplace, space
heaters, dryer, and under the stairs.
Yard-work Safety
Itching to get the yard into shape for the
summer? Here are ways to help ensure your spring
spruce-up is disaster-free.
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Limber up. Yard chores may seem easy, yet they
involve muscles that probably haven’t used in a
while.
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Always wear protective clothing when you handle
pesticides and fertilizers.
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More than 60,000 people are treated in emergency
rooms each year for lawn mower injuries.
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Never allow small children to ride on the mower
with you. They can be seriously injured.
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Rake before you mow to prevent any stones and
loose debris from launching into the air.
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Never operate a mower in bare feet and avoid
wearing loose clothing.
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Never start a mower indoors
If you need a smoke alarm for
your home, or if you/ your group would like a
Fire or Life Safety program, please contact
Jeannie Moore-Pfeffer, Public Fire Educator, at
828-215-4897.
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