It is that time of year again, when the snow melts, the temperature rises, and the flowers bloom. That time when you “spring clean” the house and the yard, and get ready to enjoy the warmth. It is also a time when people can get hurt doing projects around the house. There were 29.5 million unintentional injuries (not auto related) in the United States last year (Center for Disease Control). There were 120,859 unintentional deaths in the United States in 2012 (www.cdc.com). As the old saying goes, most accidents occur in the home. So now is the time to take some precautions when it comes to spring cleaning around the house.
Let’s start inside the home. When cleaning ceilings, tall windows and tall walls, use approved ladders or extension poles that are rated not conductive if touched into electrical circuits, and ladders that are rated to hold the weight of the user.
Use environmentally friendly cleaners when possible, and use a face mask for any harsh chemicals.
When moving heavy furniture, use a back brace to help with back support, and bend with your knees.
Make sure you are emptying vacuum bags at the recommended level…if you have ever had a bag explode, you won’t think twice about this.
As for outside of the house, when cutting limbs from a tree, make sure area around you is clear for branches and limbs to fall without hitting someone. Use only approved and cared for power equipment designed for the specific job at hand. Wear safety shoes, clothes and head protection for all work with power equipment.
A few of these precautions will go a long way to making sure you are not included in statistics for a home accident.
Finally, call us to make sure your homeowners insurance is in good shape also. We will be happy to take a look to make sure you are protected.