Get Ready Month - Day #15: Monthly Maintenance Checklist
Posted on | May 21, 2007 |
Wouldn’t be nice if there was a checklist to remind you of all the emergency preparedness tasks we remind you to do each month?
….Ta-da! Here’s a quick rundown of all the tasks you should do each month. Print out the list and add on your home improvement, cleaning and other maintenance tasks.
Check Your Supplies
1. Find extra batteries (whatever you have on hand - AA, AAA, C)
2. Test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors (read the manual for instructions).
- Change batteries if you haven’t done so in 6 months or more.
3. Find and test all flashlights.
- Change the batteries if needed. (Don’t use high end batteries (lithium, ultra, etc.) for flashlights. Too much power will burn out the flashlight’s bulb.)
- Keep a flashlight by each family member’s bed. Have extra flashlights in handy places – kitchen, closets, garage.
4. Check the items in your home emergency preparedness kit to see if they’re all there.
- Change out the bottles of water and canned food items if they’re well-past their expiration date (or after 6 months or so).
- Test the batteries and flashlights.
- Also, consider changing out your supply of medications if it’s well-past its expiration date.
- Change in season? Add extra items to your kit for summer (sunscreen, mosquito repellent, baseball caps, shorts, t-shirts) or winter (hats, mittens, gloves, snowpants, scarfs, etc.).
- Make sure to put the home emergency preparedness kit back where it belongs (in an accessible location).
5. Check your Car Emergency Kit.
- Include water, first aid, and a way to signal need for help, test flashlight & batteries, warm blankets, a shovel, and a battery-operated radio.
Fire Safety
1. Check the levels of all fire extinguishers.
- Call to have these refilled if needed. Make sure that the extinguishers are returned to their proper storage places.
2. Make sure your fire escape ladders are easily accessible and stored near second or third storey windows.
3. Check your appliances’ (toasters, coffee makers, hair dryers and irons, for examples) cords and plugs for cracks or frayed areas.
- Discard these items if there are signs of damage.
4. Clean the dryer vent and area around the dryer on a regular basis, since lint buildup can lead to fires.
- Be sure to rinse out the lint trap as well. Learn more…
5. Clean stove, oven and microwave after cooking to prevent grease fires.
- Practice Makes Perfect1. Practice your escape plan with all family members. Click here for instructions on how to create and practice your escape plan.
- Choose a night when all of your family is at home.
- Turn off the TV and lights, don’t use the faucets, fridge or the stove.
- Wait and see what items might be missing (special needs for family members, entertainment items, can opener, etc.). Make a list and add these items to your kit.
- Print copies of the Emergency Contact List and keep them by your phones for easy access. Review with family members on how to call for help.
2. Do a “disaster supply kit†drill.
3. Review your evacuation route(s) – just in case you’ll need to leave your home in a hurry.
Keep Records
1. Update your WHN Contact List, if needed.
2. Update your home inventory if a major purchase has been made or significant renovations are undertaken in your home or on your property.
Print out this list and add on your home improvement, cleaning and other maintenance tasks.
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