ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 21, 1996 TAG: 9601230001
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NICK HARDER ORANGE COUNTY (Calif.) REGISTER
Every time I get complacent about safety around the house, a newspaper story about someone's house exploding or catching on fire jolts me back to reality.
There's no way to eliminate every possibility of a tragedy happening around your home. The best you can do is cut down on the chance of it. For this reason, I like the new booklet just published by Underwriters Laboratories.
Appropriately titled ``Home Safety Inspection Checklist,'' it's a step-by-step way to come as close as possible to ensuring that you and your loved ones will remain in one piece. The reader answers questions to figure out what needs to be done in the home.
This booklet includes a section on carbon-monoxide poisoning. This has become an important subject in the past year. Millions of Americans have been warned through the news media of carbon-monoxide poisoning, but until now, almost all the safety books published have included little if any information. This booklet contains details that will help you judge whether you and your loved ones are in danger.
Though I've kept a fairly close track on aspects of carbon-monoxide poisoning in the home, one item in this booklet took me by surprise: ``Are cleaning chemicals and other substances that could corrupt the sensing device (in your CO detector) stored at least five feet from the nearest detector?''
I'm guilty of ignoring that. In the laundry room, a CO detector mounted on the ceiling is within five feet of several chemical cleaning agents in a cupboard. I'm not sure they will affect the sensing device, but why take a chance? I'll move the device.
The booklet poses another question to which I'll bet most people answer no: ``Are portable and countertop appliances unplugged when they're not in use? This includes hair dryers, curling irons, shavers, coffee makers, toasters and mixers. When plugged into an outlet, all electrical products can have dangerous electrical voltages inside them - even when the product is turned off.''
Here's another topic rarely listed in most safety booklets: ``Is the thermostat on your water heater set to a safe temperature? Consult the manufacturer's instructions and adjust the thermostat according to your family's needs. Although water that is too hot can scald, water that is too cool provides a conducive environment for the growth of dangerous bacteria, including the organism that causes Legionnaires' disease.''
What's the best temperature for your appliances? Check your appliance manuals. The temperatures do vary.
Here's one last question that caught me being guilty again as I'll bet it does you. ``Are extension cords uncoiled when in use? Uncoiling the extension cord may avoid possible overheating.''
The best aspect about this little safety booklet? It's free. Just write to Safety Checklist, UL Literature Dept., 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, Ill. 6002.
LENGTH: Medium: 58 linesby CNB