Spring Cleaning In Livingston: Tips To Avoid Hidden Hazards

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Township of Livingston. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Springtime is finally here, which means it’s time for spring cleaning. While cleaning, the Livingston Fire Department urges residents to be mindful of unseen hazards and unintentional home injuries that occur every year.

According to the National Safety Council, nearly 36 million unintentional home injuries result in medical consultations in the U.S. every year. Two of the leading causes of injuries at home are poisonings and falls, which cause 88% of the 128,000 home deaths every year. “Taking a few simple safety steps can help you avoid having your family members become one of these statistics,” stated Fire Chief Chris Mullin.

Poison Control

Most poisonings can be avoided by using non-toxic cleaners. For example, toothpaste works well for polishing silver, and lemon juice is natural bleach. Baking soda works well for cleaning tile and sinks, and when mixed with vinegar, it is effective for cleaning out drains.

Always read the labels, and follow the safety instructions when using harsh cleaning products. Always wear gloves, masks, or protective goggles as instructed, especially when working with corrosive chemicals. Look for the words “Caution,” “Warning,” “Danger,” “Poison,” or “Keep Out of Reach of Children.” Store containers safely and securely by locking these products up after you’ve finished using them to prevent poisonings.

Properly dispose of hazardous and flammable chemicals that are out of date or no longer needed. Essex County holds several Household Hazardous Waste Disposal days each year. Visit ecuanj.com for information and scheduled event dates.

Preventing Falls

Prevent falls by keeping your stairs, steps, landings, and floor areas clear of clothes, toys, and clutter. Secure area rugs with non-skid pads, and ensure that telephone and electrical cords are safely tucked away. “If you need to climb,” said Mullin, “use a ladder — not a chair, table, or box as they are unstable and could lead to a fall injury. Take an extra minute to do it the proper way and avoid taking shortcuts.”

When using a ladder, wear slip-resistant shoes when climbing, and make sure the ladder is on level ground. Open the ladder completely and engage all locks. Stand at or below the highest safe-standing level on a ladder. For a stepladder, the safe-standing level is the second rung from the top; for an extension ladder, it's the fourth rung from the top.

Fire Safety

Be sure to have a fire extinguisher in every kitchen area and possibly others in other areas of the home. Check the gauge on an extinguisher every few months to make sure that it is fully charged. Residents should also develop a fire escape plan for their homes. Plans should identify two escape routes from each room and specify a place for all family members to meet outside the home. Practice the fire escape plan with your family.

Help avoid a dryer fire by cleaning the dryer’s firing chamber: (1) Unplug the dryer from the electric outlet, (2) remove the firing chamber cover located near the bottom of the unit, and (3) use a vacuum to remove lint build-up located in and around the firing chamber and electric wiring.

“Dryer fires are often attributed to the lint build-up at the bottom of the unit near the floor in the ‘firing chamber.’ If this area isn’t cleaned regularly, lint can build up and catch fire when the natural gas is ignited to heat the firing chamber to dry the clothes,” stated Mullin. “Most people only clean the lint screen before using the dryer, but the area around the firing chamber should be cleaned at least annually for good measure.”

Before using a gas-fired barbeque grill for the first time each season, inspect the grill to ensure there is not a buildup of spider webs or small debris that can block the flow of gas to the controls. Rodents sometimes make nests in the areas of the hoses and controls over the winter; it is important to check these areas to avoid having propane leak and burn when the grill is lit for the first time.

If this occurs, turn off the gas supply at the controls if they are not involved in the fire. If the controls are on fire, turn off the gas supply if that can be done without risk of injury at the supply (at the propane tank, or at the gas valve from the residence if using a natural gas grill). If this happens, call 9-1-1 and report the incident. The Fire Department will respond to ensure that the fire is out and the gas is properly turned off.

For more information on home safety, visit safekids.org. For information on non-toxic chemicals, visit poison.org. Information on fire safety and prevention, as well as garbage disposal and recycling can be found on the township website at livingstonnj.org.

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