February is a great time to take care of some important home maintenance tasks, especially when it comes to preventing fires. One of the most important things to do is to clean out your dryer vent. Lint and other debris can build up in the vent and ducts, which can cause inefficiency, increased energy bills, and even fires. To prevent this, use a leaf blower to remove debris from dryer ducts. Cover the outside vent with a mesh screen to prevent birds from nesting. Following these steps twice a year can help you avoid a clog and, subsequently, a roughly $100 charge from the professionals.
Another important task to take care of in February is to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. According to the National Fire Protection Association, dead batteries caused 25% of smoke detector failures from 2012-2016.
Take a few minutes to ensure all detectors in your house are in working order. Test each smoke detector by pressing and holding the button on the unit. It may take a moment to sound, but once it does you should hear a high-pitched alarm. If the sound is quiet or non-existent, replace the batteries.
Test each carbon monoxide detector by pressing and holding the button on the unit. It can take up to 20 seconds for the alarm to start, so be patient. As with smoke detectors, if the sound is low or non-existent, replace the unit’s batteries.
As an additional safety measure, inspect your fire extinguisher. Check for any outer damage such as corrosion or leaks, and lift it to ensure it’s still full. If your extinguisher has a pressure gauge, make sure the arrow is in the green section; if you don’t have a pressure gauge, press the pin and if it pops back up then your unit is pressurized. If your fire extinguisher isn’t pressurized then it’s a good idea to purchase a replacement.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be checked once a month and replaced completely every ten years. You should check your fire extinguisher every month as well, but a full service inspection should be done by a fire protection company every five years.
Overall, February is a great time to take care of some important home maintenance tasks that can help prevent fires. By cleaning out your dryer vent, testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and inspecting your fire extinguisher, you can keep your home and family safe. Remember to follow these steps regularly to ensure your home stays safe and protected.
