As we welcome in the beauty and hope of spring, we are highlighting the importance of smart cleaning and organizing to keep you and your household safe for all seasons. The National Fire Protection Association offers the following safety tips to help jump start your spring cleaning.
Properly use and store gasoline
- Use gasoline only as motor fuel, never as a cleaner or to break down grease.
- Only store gasoline in a container that is sold for that purpose and never bring it indoors, even in small amounts.
- Never store gasoline containers in a basement or in the occupied space of a building. Keep them in a detached garage or an outdoor shed.
- Make sure the container is tightly capped when not in use.
Carefully dispose of rags with paint and stain
Did you know the oils in paints and stains generate heat as they dry? If you leave oily paint or stain rags piled up, heat will buid and get trapped and can start a fire.
- Never leave cleaning rags in a pile. When you’re finished using the rags, take them outside to dry, keeping them well away from the home and other structures.
- Hang rags outside or spread them on the ground and weigh them down so that they don’t blow away.
- Put dried rags in a metal container, making sure the container is tightly covered. Fill the container with a water and detergent solution, which will break down the oils.
- Keep containers of oily rags in a cool place out of direct sunlight and away from other heat sources. Check with your town for information on how to properly dispose of them.
NFPA’s safety with oily rags tip sheet
Use and store combustible liquids with extreme caution
- Flammable and combustible liquids should not be used near an open flame.
- Never smoke when working with these liquids.
- If you spill liquids on your clothing, remove your clothing and place it outside to dry. Once dry, clothing can be laundered.
- Keep liquids in their original containers. Keep them tightly capped or sealed. Never store the liquids in glass containers.
Inspect grills to ensure they’re in good working order
Inspect your grill carefully and make sure it’s free of grease or fat buildup. Clean out any nests, spider webs, or other debris you may find.
For propane grills, check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.
Keep debris well away from your home
Every year, wildfires burn across the U.S., with more and more people living in communities where wildfires are a real risk. Even though Seattle doesn’t see wildfires within the city limits often, the impact of these fire is significant. Seattle Fire responds to numerous brush fires in every year making it crucial for community members to take safety precautions.
- Dispose of branches, weeds, leaves, pine needles, and grass clippings to reduce fuel for fire.
- Remove leaves, pine needles, and other flammable material from the roof, gutters, and on or under the deck to help prevent embers from igniting your home.
- Remove dead vegetation and other flammable materials, especially within the first five feet of the home.
- Move construction material, trash, and woodpiles at least 30 feet away from the home and other outbuildings.
Clean out your clothes dryer
- Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe for your dryer is not restricted and that the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating. This includes making sure the outdoor vent flap is not covered by snow.
- Move things that can burn, such as boxes, cleaning supplies and clothing, away from the dryer.
- Clothes that have come in contact with flammable substances like gasoline, paint thinner, or similar solvents should be laid outside to dry, then can be washed and dried as usual.
