Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
Do you have a few minutes to spare for your safety? Even if you have a very busy schedule, the following 10-minute steps can help you make your Homestead home safer and can help you prevent serious injury:
1) Take a walk through your home, looking at cords.
Electrical cords are everywhere, and they can pose a fire hazard if they’re run under rugs or get worn down. During your ten minute walk through your home, unplug any appliances that have worn cords and set them aside for replacement or repairs. If you notice any cords running under carpets, remove them immediately. Unplug any appliances hooked up to extension cords.
2) Cover up your outlets.
If you have children, pick up outlets covers and use them to cover any outlets not in use. Children sometimes get curious and will place their hands or toys inside an outlet, putting them at risk of electrical shock or fire.
3) Clean your lint trap.
Clean the area around the washer and dryer, getting rid of any dust. Clean the lint trap thoroughly, since lint can pose a fire hazard. If you have a few extra minutes, make sure there is a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector near your laundry area.
4) Spend a few minutes making your kitchen safer.
If you don’t have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, get one. Grab a box of baking soda and place it near your stovetop. If there’s ever a grease fire in your home, you can use a fire extinguisher or smother the flames with baking soda. If you do have a fire extinguisher, check it to make sure it’s in good working order. Test the batteries in your smoke detector make sure there is a smoke detector in the kitchen.
5) Check your pool area.
Walk around the perimeter, looking for any areas where the fencing is loose or has started to deteriorate. Check your gate and any alarm system you have. If you don’t have a self-locking gate or alarm, now might be the time to invest in one.
6) Spend ten minutes hunting for obvious hazards.
Do you have sharp objects out, candles located near drapes, or toxic cleaning products out in the open? Now’s the time to move the candles to a safer spot and to put away those items which could be a danger to pets and to any children. Check your garage, too. If you keep fuel for your barbecue, car, or appliances in there — or any other potentially dangerous products — now is the time to secure them or get rid of these hazards.
5) Check recall lists.
Check to see whether any items in your home have been recalled and sign yourself up to receive updates when new recalls are issued.
If you have suffered an injury due to a defective product in your home, don’t hesitate to contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation. Our offices in Homestead, Hollywood, and Miami are always open to people who have been injured and we’d be happy to offer you legal advice and support.