Ten tips for safe Spring cleaning




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(NC) — As warmer weather melts the last of the winter snow, thoughts turn to the promise of spring—and the responsibilities of spring cleaning. As you pull the mops, scrub brushes and buckets out of the closet this year, experts tell us to focus on the chores at hand and keep your physical safety top of mind.

“While it might not seem a particularly dangerous undertaking, spring cleaning can cause injuries to you or your loved ones,” says James Savage, executive vice president at Western Financial Group. “Slowing down to think about what you're doing and make some common-sense adjustments can save you trips to the local emergency department.”

Savage offers a checklist of spring cleaning safety measures:

1. Pace yourself. Accidents are much more likely to happen when you are tired or rushing.

2. Be cautious when using a ladder or step stool. Always stay at or below the highest safe standing level.

3. Warn everyone in the house when floors are wet.

4. Keep high-traffic areas, stairs and landings free of clutter and cleaning equipment.

5. Don't leave buckets of water (a drowning hazard) around the house, especially if you have small children or pets.

6. Use appropriate lifting technique when moving furniture or other heavy objects. Bend at the knees, lift with your legs and don't twist as you lift.

7. When carrying loads up or down stairs, make sure you can see over the top of each load and that you have one hand free for the railing.

8. Use nontoxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products whenever possible and always follow the safety guidelines on product labels, including wearing gloves or a mask when advised. Be aware that combining products, such as ammonia and bleach, can create dangerous toxic fumes.

9. Go through your cabinets to dispose of unneeded products and to make sure that anything labeled as a poison or danger to children is locked up.

10. Remember that this is a great time to test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and to replace their batteries.


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