Jun 12, 2013 5 min read

Honey-do lists are turning into stacks of notes this time of year as homeowners get outside and repopulate porches, prepare for barbecues and fight legions of dandelions. The routine of home-related tasks works against our ability to be safe and prevent injury or illness. As a reminder to homeowners not to become complacent about carrying out certain chores, June has been designated National Home Safety Month, which seeks to prevent accidents of many types in the home. Here are some common safety issues:

It’s hot. Baseball is on. But, if the grass isn’t cut today, a machete may be required.

Mid-mow, the riding mower sputters. No gas.

With frustrated stomps and gas can in hand, you begin to refill the tank, which is near the steaming hot engine.

According to Linn Brookman, Washington fire chief, just a few drops of the flammable fuel onto a hot motor can cause a fire.

First, avoid this blunder. If this mistake is made, however, Brookman recommends getting far out of the way and calling the fire department, as opposed to fighting the fire yourself.

“I haven’t seen too many lawnmowers that have caught on fire that have been worth anything by the time the fire was put out,” Brookman said.

When mowing, make sure to wear sturdy shoes and eye protection, and turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute or crossing gravel pathes.

ESPN anchor Hannah Storm has become the scarred face of gas grill safety since her accident in January.

Based on TV interviews, Storm made a damaging error that might be all too easy to make.

The grill was lit, and she walked away. When she returned to check the grill, the flames had blown out. The lid of the grill had been open; so, she assumed it would be safe to attempt to reignite the flames.

The result was second- and third-degree burns on her face, neck and chest, and the loss of her hair and eyebrows.

Brookman warns, “If you can’t get (the grill) lit, shut off the tank and step back to wait until the propane dissipates before trying to light it again.”

Because propane is heavier than air, it tends to form a stubborn cloud above the grill, prolonging the time necessary to dissipate into the air.

Best advice? Wait considerably longer to reignite a propane grill than even “common sense” might indicate.

It’s also important to have your grill in a well-ventilated area and to inspect the propane tank for dents, bulges and corrosion.

Many homes in the area literally pump their water from the ground via private wells and pumps, a hot topic in recent years due to gas an oil drilling.

While these forms of industry can certainly impact water quality, John Poister, spokesman for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), warns about other potential hazards.

“We live in an area that is heavily undermined,” said Poister. “We have gas and oil activity, but, more than that, there can be things that come down from the surface, like fertilizer, that get into the water accidentally.”

Private water wells are overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency in Philadelphia, but the local DEP is happy to offer information and recommendations to the public.

“We strongly, strongly, strongly recommend getting private water wells tested at least once per year,” said Poister.

More than just testing, citizens with private wells need to monitor their water for any changes, he noted.

“People sometimes take their water for granted, but there are many external influences that can affect a water well and you have to be mindful of that.”

What kind of changes? Continue to monitor any odor, color or texture changes, all of which would be cause to retest the water supply.

Testing can be completed through private companies or home test kits.

According to Brookman, furnaces, electrical cords and detectors require maintenance.

“When people buy something in 2013, they expect it to last forever,” said Brookman. “But you have to replace these things.”

Many people are aware of the need for furnace maintenance, which implies yearly inspections, cleaning and filter changes. Not only does this prevent fires related to saturated filters, but it can also prevent carbon monoxide leaks. Detecting those leaks takes its own amount of care. Brookman warns that carbon monoxide detectors are only guaranteed to function for five years – a detail noted on the package.

Batteries should be changed with the time changes “spring forward” and “fall back”, as handy reminders.

While electrical appliances are free of battery concerns, it’s a good idea to note the age of extension cords and surge protectors. Like carbon monoxide detectors, extension cord and surge protector packaging each note an expiration date. Failure to abide by these dates places your appliances at risk and is a common cause of house fires.