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Light Rain Earth Day — a good time to start your spring cleaning
Help yourself — and the environment — at the same time
Earth Day is April 22, and many use the day to jumpstart their spring cleaning. It’s a great time to both help the environment and promote safety around your home and neighborhood. Proper cleanup and disposal of household items help keep both your family and the environment safe and healthy.
Household clutter
Having a lot of clutter makes it difficult to find what you need when you need it. Clutter can also lead to unsafe conditions and is a safety hazard. Cluttered work areas increase the risk of fires and accidents, so take this opportunity to eliminate clutter wherever possible. Move items away from exits, remove tripping hazards, throw away unneeded items and file needed papers so that they do not clutter your work area. Make sure to properly dispose and recycle old paper and plastic goods. Having old and outdated items throughout your home can affect your indoor air quality and lead to mold and other issues.
Yard safety
Take your time and be extra cautious if it’s your first time cleaning up your yard for the season. The effects of this year's winter could have shifted trees and soil. Outlets and electrical wires may be corroded or frayed. Clear out your gutters of any debris and leaves to make sure it drains well. Wooden items may have shifted from the wind or rotted away. Throw out anything lying around the yard that you haven't used in three or more seasons. Make sure your yard is clear before mowing your grass. If you have extra space in your yard, consider setting up a compost area, it will help your soil and limit the amount of unnecessary garbage being processed.
Chemical safety
Whether it's cleaning agents, landscaping chemicals or fuels, make sure to be wearing gloves, goggles, and be outdoors in fresh air when using. Properly discard any old or irregular chemicals. When in doubt throw it out. If these chemicals are not used and stored properly, they can cause fires. Improper use may also lead to skin exposure or inhalation of toxic fumes. During and after spring cleaning, make sure all chemicals are stored properly. Refer to the labels of each product to determine the proper way to store cleaning fluids and other chemicals. Avoid storing chemicals in direct sunlight or near other heat sources, as this may cause chemical degradation. Be sure to wear gloves when rearranging chemicals in a storage area, as skin exposure can cause irritation and chemical burns. If you no longer use certain chemicals, dispose of them properly, utilizing the STOP program.
Equipment safety
Double check equipment before using — ladders may rust and gas-powered tools may need a tune up before being use. Make sure to wear safety gloves, eye and foot protection when using anything sharp or gas powered. Broken equipment poses a hazard to anyone who uses it, so take the time to determine if any equipment needs to be repaired or replaced.
Around your neighborhood
After you clean up around your house and yard, go for a walk in the fresh air hand help tidy up your neighborhood. Cleaning up rubbish and trash both helps Mother Nature and prevents accidents or injuries. Look around for any loose hanging branches that didn't survive the winter. Clear any blocked storm drains and report any pieces of sidewalk or roadway that are broken or unsafe.
Earth Day is a great opportunity to help the environment and increase safety too. Remember to wear proper safety equipment and to utilize proper disposal methods. Never pour anything down sewer or storm drains.
Lt. Sam Pinto is a career firefighter, paramedic, nationally certified fire instructor, and certified fire and life safety educator. He can be reached at SPinto@iaff287.org.
