Spring Cleaning? Don’t Forget These Fire Safety Must-Dos

It’s spring-cleaning time! Time to roll up those sleeves and get that home and garage ready for spring. To help you get started, use our Burlington Fire Department checklist to keep you safe and on task:

Kitchen:

• ✅ Clean greasy residue in the oven. Check and clean filters above stove.
• ✅ Pull out the refrigerator and vacuum coils

Laundry:

• ✅ Remove and clean lint trap after each laundry load and remove buildup inside sides of dryer
• ✅ Check the exhaust tubes and outdoor vent flaps for lint
• ✅ Unclamp and remove the exhaust from the back of the dryer. Use your hands, hanger or extension brush to remove any lint buildup.

Living Room, Basement & Bedrooms:

• ✅ When washing windows, check that they open and close easily as an emergency exit. Two ways out of every room and a safe meeting place outside the home are essential parts of every home escape plan.
• ✅ While tackling those pesky ceiling cobwebs, lightly vacuum or dust smoke and CO alarms and change batteries. Alarms expire so be sure to replace after 10 years.

Garage and Outdoor:

• ✅ Unplug any rechargeable devices not in use or actively charging in your home and garage. Lithium-ion batteries can easily overheat, catch fire or explode if not handled or disposed of with caution. Lithium-ion batteries are household hazardous waste and should never be placed in the garbage. Learn more: chargedforlife.ca
• ✅ Gather old batteries and recycle safely by placing electrical tape on the ends of 9-volt batteries and drop off to a community recycling depot. Don’t pile or throw in the trash.
• ✅ Carefully dispose of rags with paint and stain. The oils commonly used in oil-based paints and stains release heat as they dry. When heat is trapped and builds, it can cause a fire. Dry outdoors and put dried rags in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Fill the container with a water and detergent solution to break down the oils.
• ✅ Keep containers of oily rags in a cool place out of direct sunlight and away from other heat sources.
• ✅ Inspect your barbecue. Clean grease buildup from the grill and remove any nests and debris.
• ✅ For propane grills, check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time.
• ✅ Move or remove leaves, wood piles and other flammable materials from your home and sheds.

While cleaning out your home and garage this spring, consider taking old, unwanted electronics to Burlington Fire Department’s community electronic waste recycling bins. Acceptable electronic items can be dropped off between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven days a week at Fire Station No. 4, located at 711 Appleby Line and Fire Station No. 7, located at 4100 Dundas St.

The proceeds from the electronics recycling program are used to support the Burlington Fire Department's Vehicle Rescue Team. Learn more: burlington.ca/vrt