Thursday's Truths and Tidbits

Spring hit pretty early this year, at least in Western Pennsylvania. How about in your neck of the woods?

 With spring's arrival comes some safety issues we should all address in one way or another. So here are some quick spring safety tips:

• Check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Change batteries as needed.
• Clean out the lint from your clothes dryer. Of course, you should do this after every load, but it's a good idea to go the extra mile and do a deep cleaning, both from inside the dryer and through the outside vent. There are vacuum cleaner attachments and long narrow brushes specifically designed for this purpose. Keeping your dryer free from lint buildup will serve two purposes: it will make your dryer operate more efficiently and save energy, thus saving you money, and it will help prevent a fire. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, most dryer fires originate in the lint trap or venting system. Keep it clean!
• Check your fire extinguishers. If they're older than 15 years old, they should probably be replaced! Look to see if the needle in the pressure gauge is in the green area. Don't wait until there is a fire to see if your extinguishers are in working order!
• Inspect your gas grill for spider webs, rodent nests or damage, or any other insect infestation. Make sure you check out the hosing as well as inside the grill.
• Keep your kids and pets safe by making sure your window screens are secure. With warmer weather comes increased chances of kids and pets falling out of open windows.

That's it for this week. I would love for you to add your own safety tips in the comments below. Let's help each other have a safe, healthy and happy season!

Hana