From the prospective of a Massachusetts personal injury lawyer, there are numerous things we can do to keep our homes safe. While Spring-cleaning, it’s perhaps a good time to check up on those things.
Smoke detectors should be checked and batteries changed. Be sure they are on the highest ceiling on each floor and strategically placed with respect to heat sources and kitchens.
Fire extinguishers need to be easily accessible and checked to be sure they are full. Reading the directions on a regular basis to recall how they operate can save time in an emergency situation.
Electrical outlets, especially in older houses, should be checked. Check for overloading as well. Wires should be checked for fraying.
Light fixtures and lamps should be checked; are the maximum wattage requirements listed being adhered to?
Fireplaces and chimneys need to be checked, especially after a winter of use. Wood stoves create creosote, which is highly flammable.
Furnaces, water heaters and dryers should be free of dust and clear of debris.
Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed and checked.
Child proofing measures, for those with small children and those who entertain children from time to time, should be checked.
See our blog article accompanying this one with respect to this important issue.
Walk through the home and look for potential slip and fall spots (loose rugs, loose floor boards etc.) and that bathrooms are safe for folks of all ages.
Televisions, shelves, and other heavy things attached to walls or shelves should be checked to be sure they wont fall on passers by.
Stairs should be check from top (railings) to bottom to be sure they are clear of debris, clean and safe for walking. Lighting should be ample.
Outside: check for adequate lighting, tree limbs or other items that fell during the winter, remove dead trees which are potential widow makers, and check all outdoor wires and pipes for clearance and blockage.