Tools every homeowner should have
Flashlight: None of the tools you have will be of use if you can’t visually inspect the situation. The problem and the solution are only apparent with a good flashlight. A traditional two-battery flashlight is usually sufficient, as larger flashlights can be too unwieldy. Of course, having backups at home (as well as in all of your vehicles) is a must for emergency situations.
Tape Measure – Measuring home projects requires a tape measure, not a ruler or yardstick. Tape measures come in many lengths, although at least 25 feet is best. Measure everything at least twice to ensure accuracy, regardless of the project.
Hacksaw – A hacksaw is useful for cutting metal objects, such as pipes, bolts, and brackets. Hacksaws look thin and flimsy, but they will easily cut through even the hardest of metals. The blades are replaceable, so focus your purchase on a quality hacksaw frame. Use a stable surface for cutting and be careful, as an injury from a hacksaw can be painful and deep.
Torpedo Level: Only one level can be used to determine if something, such as a shelf, appliance, or picture, is oriented correctly. The torpedo-style level is unique in that it not only shows when an object is perfectly horizontal and vertical, it also has an indicator that shows when an object is at a 45-degree angle. The bubble in the viewfinder should be exactly in the middle, not just close.
Safety Glasses – For all tasks involving a hammer, saw, or power tool, you should always wear safety glasses or goggles. They should also be worn while mixing chemicals, installing insulation, and doing major renovation projects that involve the removal of building materials such as drywall, because anything that can fly when destroyed can end up in your eyes and cause irritation or injury.
fire safety for home
The National Fire Protection Association’s fire prevention program promotes the following eight tips that people of all ages and abilities can use to keep family members safe, especially during the threat of a home fire: .
Plan and practice your escape from the fire
We’ve heard this advice before, but you can’t be prepared to act in an emergency if you don’t have a plan and everyone knows what that plan is. Panic and fear can spread as fast as a fire, so plan an escape route and outdoor meeting place, and involve even the youngest members of the family so everyone can work as a unit. for a safe escape. If you live in a condominium or apartment building, be sure to read the signs posted on your floor that inform you of the location of stairwells and other exits, as well as alarm activation stations and fire extinguishers.
Plan your escape around your abilities.
Having a bedside phone will allow you to call 911 quickly, especially if the exits to your home are blocked by smoke or flames. Keep a pair of shoes near your bed, too. If your home or building has a fire escape, take some time to practice operating and climbing it.
Smoke alarms save lives
If you don’t already have permanently installed smoke detectors hardwired into your electrical system and located outside of every bedroom and on every floor, buy units and put them in those locations. Install them with glue or screws, but be careful not to touch the internal wiring with the screwdriver. Doing this can cause an electrostatic discharge and disable them. Also, install carbon monoxide detectors, as they can protect family members from lethal poisoning even before a fire starts.
Give space to heaters
Whether you save on utility bills by using your heater infrequently or by using these portable units for spot heating, be sure to leave them at least 3 feet of clearance. Be sure to turn them off and unplug them when you go out or go to bed. Electrical appliances draw current even when they are turned off, and a faulty unit can cause a fire that can spread through the wires in the walls at a lethal rate.
If you smoke, smoke outside
Not only will this keep your family members healthier and your home smelling fresher, but it will also minimize the chance that an errant ember from your cigarette will drop and burn unnoticed until it causes damage.
Be wise in the kitchen
This means monitoring what you have on the stove and keeping track of what is baking in the oven. Do not cook if you are tired or if you take medications that cloud your judgment or make you sleepy. Being wise in the kitchen also means wearing clothing that won’t easily catch on pot and pan handles, or rub against open flames or heating elements. It also means knowing how to put out a grease fire: water will spread it, but salt or baking soda will put it out quickly (just like covering the pot or pan and putting out the fire). Always use your stove’s ventilation fan while cooking. Also, keep a small all-purpose fire extinguisher in a handy place, like under the sink. These 3-pound life preservers are rated “ABC” for their fire-fighting content. Read the instructions for these inexpensive devices when you get them home from the store so you can act quickly if the time comes.
Stop drop and roll
Fight the urge to panic and run if your clothes catch fire because this will only speed up its spread. Putting out fires by rolling is effective, especially since your clothes may be burning on your back or lower body where you may not immediately notice. If floor space is limited, cover yourself with a blanket to put out the flames and soak yourself with water as soon as you can. Also, always stay low to the ground during a fire; heat and smoke rise, and breathable air will normally be at floor level, giving you a better chance of escaping before smoke and toxic fumes overwhelm you.
Keep your family safe by following these simple tips!
electrical panel safety
All homeowners should know where their electrical panel is located. When you open the door, you should find labeled switches that correspond to the different rooms or areas of the house. Circuit breakers sometimes trip due to a power surge or power outage, and the owner can flip the switch to bring power back to the particular room or area. Behind the switches is the dead front, and it is this electrical component that should only be removed by a qualified electrician or inspector.
Before touching the electrical panel to reset a breaker, ask yourself the following questions:
Do I have an escape route? Make sure you know where you can safely turn or step if you need to escape a dangerous surprise, like a bee or spark. An unlucky shovel or extension cord, for example, can turn a quick yank into a dangerous fall.
Is the floor wet? Never touch any electrical equipment while standing on a wet surface!
Does the panel appear to be wet? Check overhead for dripping water that may have condensed on a cold water pipe.
Is the panel rusty? Rust is an indication of previous wet conditions that may still exist.
Are there scorch marks on the panel door? This may indicate a past or very recent arc, and further investigation should be referred to a licensed electrician.
Here is a list of faulty conditions that a homeowner may see that can be detected during an electrical inspection:
Insufficient free space. According to the 2008 National Electrical Code, most residential electrical panels require at least 3 feet of clearance or working space in front, 30 inches in width, and a minimum clearance of 6 feet or the height of equipment , whichever is greater. .
Sharp Point Panel Box Screws The panel box cover screws should have blunt ends so they do not pierce the wires inside the box.
Undersized circuit breakers
Oxidation or corrosion in any of the parts. Rusty or corroded cables will increase the resistance of the conductors and create the potential for arcing.
Rodent Damage Rodents have been known to chew through the insulation on wires in electrical panels (and other areas), creating an unsafe condition. Rodents have been electrocuted this way, leaving an unsightly mess inside the panel.
Evidence of electrical faults, such as burned or overheated components
Evidence of water ingress inside electrical panel Moisture can corrode circuit breakers from tripping, make connections less reliable, and equipment unsafe to touch.
A panel manufactured by Zinsco or Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) These panels have a reputation for being problematic and further evaluation by a qualified electrician is recommended.
Copyright © 2016 InterNACHI, All Rights Reserved.
