Each June, the National Safety Council celebrates National Safety Month by sharing information about a variety of health and safety issues. National Safety Month also coincides with the
beginning of summer fun, sports, barbecues, gardening projects and more. If you
are already on the alert for family vacation and driving safety, we salute your
preparedness, but let’s not forget that most accidents happen in our homes.
Home safety covers a long list of potential threats such as slip
and fall accidents on stairs and in the bathroom; kitchen injuries; fires and
electrical hazards; prescription drug and chemical accidents; and swimming pool
accidents. Let’s not overlook tornados, hurricanes, floods and earthquakes!
“An Ounce of Prevention
is Worth a Pound of Cure.” Truer words were never spoken, especially when it
comes to home safety for you and your family. The Energy Experts have some tips
for keeping your home a safe place this summer:
·
Chilling
Out: Air conditioning is an essential home appliance in some parts of the
country, while it’s really a luxury item in other areas. If you will be relying
on your air conditioner this summer, arrange for some preventative maintenance
in advance by contacting a qualified HVAC professional. If you don’t have air
conditioning, use tried and true cooling solutions such as window fans, attic
fans and ceiling fans. Also, avoid using heat generating appliances such as
your washer, dryer and stove during the peak heat times of the day. Plan summer
menus to keep your kitchen cool. Don’t forget that planting trees near your
home can provide welcome shade during the hot summer months.
·
The Long
Hot Summer: Stay hydrated at all times and be aware of the signs of heat
stroke and heat exhaustion. The elderly should take added precautions to avoid
exertion on hot summer days. Also, never leave children or pets in the car on a
hot day. Remember to apply sunscreen and
always keep infants out of the direct sun. For those suffering from asthma,
COPD and airborne allergies, air conditioning can really provide health
benefits.
·
Let There
Be Less Light: Keep your blinds down and curtains closed to minimize
direct sunlight that generates heat inside your home. When the air temperature
cools down in the evening, uncover the windows. Let’s not forget that incandescent
light bulbs are also heat generators, so there’s one more reason to switch to energy-efficient
compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs. Also, keep your home safe and energy
efficient with indoor light timers and motion activated lights in your yard.
·
Holy
Smokes: Don’t forget that smoke detectors are a year round safety
precaution. Safety statistics reveal that half of home fire deaths occur in the
bedroom when residents are asleep. Be sure to install smoke detectors within 10
feet of each bedroom and never ignore those annoying “beeps” letting you know
that the battery needs to be changed. And while we are on the topic, be sure
you have a fire extinguisher at the ready should there be a problem with a
barbecue flare-up or fire pit mishap.
Each month our Energy Blog features information on energy
efficiency and indoor air quality for your home. Here is a list of other recent
Energy Blog articles that help you stay informed about health and safety issues
in your home:
No comments:
Post a Comment