Tips for Child Safety and Protection Month: Home Edition

November is Child Safety and Protection Month and your home can be very dangerous for your kiddos. You want to keep your kids and family safe and you think you’ve child proofed your home well enough, but maybe there are a few safety issues you’re overlooking.

Check out these simple home safety tips, design to protect your children.

1. Water Heater 101

Most watewater heaterr heaters allow you to set the temperature but have a manufacture default water heating setting. It is best to set the temperature yourself and ensure that it’s not hotter than 115-120 degrees F. By lowering the water temperature settings, you’ll reduce the risk  of scalding water burns. If you’re not sure how to set your water heater temperature settings our professional plumbers will be happy to help! And be sure to ask about an Anti-Scald Device for added safety!

2. Invest in a good welcome mat

You don’t know what toxins, debris, pesticides and other harmful elements maybe on your or your guests shoes. Having a good welcome mat that you and your guests can use to wipe a way dirt and debris is extremely helpful.

3. Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) and electrical safety

To help prevent shocks, electrical burns and possible electrocution, GFCIs should always be used in all kitchens, bathrooms and anywhere water might come in contact with an electrical outlet. GFCIs are designed to shut off when they come into contact with water. So if you drop something in a sink full of water, the appliance should power off before it can cause a shock. (But you still should keep electrical appliances a way from water, just to be safe).

Most homes should already have GFCIs installed, but if your home is older or if additional outlets have been installed, you’ll want to ensure that they are GFCIs. If you aren’t sure if your outlets are GFCIs one of our Electricians will happily check for you!

4. Choose nontoxic décorkitchen-sink

House plants are often used to liven up a home. Just make sure that you do your research before selecting a new house plant. Some children cannot resist munching on colorful plants, so make sure the plants in your home are nontoxic!

5. Natural Gas Safety 101

General Safety Rules When Dealing With Natural Gas

  • Follow directions from the manufacturer for using and taking care of gas appliances. Seek professional help when necessary.
  • Keep combustibles such as papers, fluids, paints, curtains and rags away appliances.
  • Keep gas ranges clean, make sure burner bowls are free of matches, grease, paper, etc.
  • Have a fire extinguisher near gas appliances at all times. Use a CO2 or dry-chemical extinguisher for the kitchen.
  • Teach children never to light or play with the controls of any gas appliances.
  • Keep the pilot lights of your gas range lit. If you put them out to save energy, a dangerous gas build-up can occur if someone accidentally turns on the range.
  • Never use your gas range to heat your home or apartment. This practice creates a serious fire hazard and puts you and your family at risk from dangerous carbon monoxide fumes.

If You Smell Natural Gas

  • Open windows or doors and leave your home immediately!
  • Do not look for the source of the smell with any open flame (even using a flashlight could be dangerous).
  • If the smell is very strong, or you hear a blowing or hissing noise, leave immediately.
  • Do not use anything that could generate a spark
  • Do not use the telephone
  • Do not turn light switches or equipment using electricity on or off.
  • Do not turn vehicle ignitions on or off.
  • Go to a neighboring phone and call the fire department or 911.

6. Be careful where you place your furniturebook shelf

Blocking vents and/or heaters with furniture of any kind is a potential fire hazard. Make sure that you anchor all bookcases and larger furniture pieces to the wall, to prevent them from falling on top of children. Securely mount large televisions to the wall or place them on top of low to the ground, secure furniture pieces.

Call 1-888-9TIGER4 or contact us to have a Licensed Plumber, HVAC Technician and/or Electrician come out to your home and address any safety issues or concerns you may have.

Be sure to check out Tiger Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning and Electrical Services on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more valuable safety tips for your  home!

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