Tag Archives: safety

15 Last Minute Holiday Safety Tips

Outdoor Environments would like to wish you a very happy holiday weekend!

If you’re having guests for the weekend, here are some last minute safety tips from the Home Safety Council:

  1. Check the lights over all stairways, hallways, porches and entries to ensure all bulbs are working and are bright enough.
  2. Stick to the maximum safe wattage, which is printed inside the fixture.
  3. Put non-slip strips or rubber mat in all tubs and showers.
  4. Place nightlights inside bathrooms and in the hallways leading to them.
  5. If your guests will include a baby or toddler, get safety gates. Place them at the tops and bottoms of stairways.
  6. If you have an attached garage and/or fuel-burning heat or appliances, you need a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. Install one on every level of your home, especially near the bedrooms.
  7. Look for products in your home that have these words on the label: “Caution,” “Warning,” “Danger,” “Poison” or “Keep Out of Reach of Children.” Lock these products away.
  8. Put emergency numbers by every phone. These include 9-1-1 and the National Poison Control Hotline 1-800-222-1222.
  9. Stay in the kitchen when anything is cooking on the stove.
  10. Matches and lighters can be deadly in the hands of children. Keep all matches and lighters in a safe, locked place.
  11. If you light candles, make sure there is an adult in the room. Blow them out before you leave the room or go to sleep.
  12. Make sure there is at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home.
  13. Push the test button to make sure all smoke alarms work.
  14. If you have not put a new battery in each alarm yet this year, do it now.
  15. Keep hot drinks away from the edge of tables and counters. Do not use tablecloths or placemats because young children can pull them down.
Image by Oppenheim Bernhard on GettyImages.com

Safe Railings for Safer Decks

Deck railings are a necessary feature that not only keeps your outdoor living area safe, it adds beauty and style. But once a deck is installed, many homeowners forgo the railing. Instead, railings seem more popular with consumers who have already invested in decks and are looking for ways to add value to it.

Since it’s Deck Safety Month, we want you to know that railings keep everyone on your deck foundation safe by preventing slips, falls and other dangerous mishaps. Outdoor furniture, grills and other equipment are also kept in place with a railing. Best of all, consumers on a tighter budget can usually expect railings to cost significantly less than their initial deck construction.

In particular, composite railings are gaining more popularity because they are so strong and typically don’t require additional metal reinforcements. Using multi-layer technology, many composite decks are so thick and stiff that they can meet building code with no other materials for reinforcement. Composite decks and railings are extremely durable but still offer the convenience of low-maintenance.

For decks and railings in the Kansas City area, call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today!

Information from LVRJ

Deck and railing shown are by Outdoor Environments

National Deck Safety Month

May is the month officially recognized as National Deck Safety Month. So over the next few weeks, we’ll be providing you with various ways ensure that your deck is as safe and hazard-free as possible. One of the premier sources for deck building information is the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA). Below are three main pieces of advice they offer when it comes to choosing a contractor to build and/or remodel your deck.

  1. Ask for referrals. A trustworthy contractor will always have a list of satisfied customers that are willing to share their experiences.
  2. Request to see a portfolio. By seeing examples of our past work as well as samples of our decking materials, you’ll get a pretty good picture of what we do and how we work.
  3. Inquire about our credentials. From licensing to insurance coverage and professional references, we can prove that we deserve your deck project!

If you’re in Kansas City or Overland Park and need a deck constructed or remodeled, call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today!

Information from NADRA

Image from Creative Commons

Avoiding Holiday Fire Hazards

Between scented candles and Christmas trees and electric lights and fireplaces, it’s no wonder the risk for fire increases exponentially during the holiday season. According to www.firesaftey.gov, fires in this short time frame injure 1,650 Americans, causing more than $990 million in damages.

fire

Below, we (literally) spell out some prevention measures to make sure this holiday season is a safe and merry one for you and your family.

Space heaters. Place them at least three feet away from anything flammable. Make sure an adult is in the room when heaters are on. Turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep. The same goes for burning candles.
Alarms. Install at least one smoke alarm on each floor level of the home, including basements. Test the alarms monthly, and be sure to change batteries at least once a year.
Fires. Never burn unconventional items such as wrapping paper or boxes in the fireplace, as this could cause a chimney fire. Fireplaces are for wood only. The same applies to stoves and ovens—use these strictly for cooking, and not for heating.
Escape. Plan a home escape with two ways out of each room. Practice your exit plan with every member of the family to make sure it works. Invest in fire extinguishers, and know how to use them.
Trees. For artificial trees, only choose flame-retardant ones with a UL label. Cut trees should be watered daily to be kept fresh. Never use real candles on trees. Keep trees at a safe distance from fireplaces, other sources of heat, and doorways. Dispose of trees at an authorized recycling center.
Your lights. Inspect lights for wear and tear, such as frayed wires or gaps in insulation. Periodically check wires—they should not be warm to touch. Connect strings to an extension cord before plugging in.

For more information, visit firesafety.gov to keep your home fire-free this holiday season.