Autumn Safety

As leaves begin to fall and temperatures start to drop, autumn presents many opportunities to prevent safety hazards in and around your home, keeping your family safe.

Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time ends every year on the first Sunday of November. Daylight Saving Time is meant to extend daylight hours and conserve energy, it also severs as a great reminder to do some things around the house;

  • check the batteries in your home smoke detectors. Get in the habit of changing your batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors every fall and spring when you are changing your clocks. For more about smoke alarms and carbon monoxide safety, view our Smoke Alarm Safety and Carbon Monoxide Safety pages..
  • check the medicine cabinet. Check and properly discard of expired medications. Check your local drug stores, some drug stores take them back or look to see if you area has a “drug take-back program”.
  • check your first aid kit and /or emergency preparedness kits. Check batteries, expiration dates, supply levels of the items that you keep in your kits. For ideas on how to build your kit visit: www.ready.gov/build-a-kit.
  • change or clean air filters. Dirty air filters make your heating system less efficient and can also cause a breakdown in your system causing a fire.
  • check tire pressure, tread, and lights and signals on your car to make sure everything is working or in good condition.
  • change passwords. The longer you keep a password, the more likely your account will be compromised.

Heating the Home

Making sure your heating devices and/or systems are in good working order is an important part of learning some fall fire safety tips. Verify that everything you need to keep your home warm throughout fall and winter is in good working order before you experience the first cold snap of the season.

Get your central heating system cleaned, inspected and serviced by a certified HVAC contractor every year before using it. If you have a gas heater, make sure that you have a sufficient quantity of fully functioning carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home.

Keep the fire in its proper place by using a fireplace screen to keep sparks from flying out of the fireplace. Never leave a burning fire unattended and make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed. See more Fireplace and Wood Stove Safety.

Makes sure that any space heaters are surrounded by at least three feet of empty space. Never place clothing or ay other objects on a space heater. Do not place space heater near furniture or drapery. Always turn space heater off when you leave the house or go to bed.

Halloween

Halloween is a fun-filled time for children and parents should take the necessary precautions to make sure their children remain safe while still having fun. Motorist also need need to stay especially alert due to the high number of children out in the community. For a more detail list of safety precautions for this Halloween, please visit: Halloween Safety Tips.

Review Fire Safety

There is nothing more important than the safety of your family. Because fires can start at any time without warning, it is very important that the members of your household know how to react in the event of a fire. It is a good idea to review fire safety tips with your family every season.

Steps to Prevent the Flu

Autumn is the start of flu season, read through these Cold and Flu Prevention tips to help you and your family stead ahead of the flu.

Thanksgiving

Holidays are an important time to be with family and friends. Whether you are traveling or hosting family members and friends to your home, safety should be a priority. Here are some tips to help you and your family celebrate safely.

Yard Work

Every autumn leaves will fall, leaving your yard cluttered and in need of clean-up. Keep these safety tips in mind as you work.

  • Use a rake that is comfortable for your height and strength. Weave gloves or use rakes with padded handles to prevent blisters.
  • Wet leaves can be slippery; wear shoes or boots with slip-resistant soles.
  • Do not overfill leaf bags. To avoid back injury, you should be able to carry bags comfortably.
  • Never throw leaves over your shoulder or to the side. The twisting motion required to do so places undue stress on your back.
  • Clear your roof and gutters of unnecessary build up of debris.
  • Learn the outdoor burning regulations in your area (Burning Permits and Requirements), an do not engage in illegal burning of leaves and other outdoor debris.
  • Make sure the engine is off and cool before you begin any maintenance work or refuel your lawnmower.
  • Never mow barefoot or in sandals.
  • Never use your hands or feet to clear debris from under a lawnmower. Use a stick or broom handle instead.
  • Never touch the blades with your bare hands or feet, even if the engine is off. The blade can still move and cause serious injury.
  • Look up before pruning trees. Make careful note of where power lines are located before you set up your ladder so that it is positioned away from them.
  • Use caution on ladders. Wearing appropriate footwear is important when using a ladder, wrong or wet footwear cold cause you to slip. Position the ladder on a flat service before use.

Sources: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (www.aaos.org), American Red Cross (www.redcross.org), National Fire Protection Agency (www.nfpa.org), and U.S. Fire Administration (www.usfa.gov)