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MILWAUKEE/NARI OFFERS 10 HOME SAFETY TIPS FOR “CHECK YOUR BATTERIES DAY”
March 12, 2010

MILWAUKEE, WI – Potential dangers in and around the home are limitless, as everything from faulty wiring to home invasions to the air that is breathed can post a threat to homeowners.  In time for “Check Your Batteries Day” on March 14, members of the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc., the area’s leading home improvement and remodeling industry resource for more than 48 years, offer a list of 10 tips to get homeowners thinking about safety.

1. Smoke Detectors: “Check Your Batteries Day” coincides with Daylight Savings Time so that homeowners will remember to change the batteries in their smoke detectors.  Other simple ways to improve fire safety in the home are to check dryer lint after every use, never leave candles or space heaters unattended, and stay alert in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or boiling food.
2. Security Systems: There are a variety of benefits to security systems, according to Susan Montie, CSP, CAPS, CCP of Advanced Communication Specialists in Waukesha.  With a combination of door contacts and motion detectors, they can protect from intrusion, fire, and poisonous carbon monoxide levels.  They can alert family members if children do not return home from school, protect gun cabinets and other storage areas, and can include digital video recorders.
3. Intercom Systems: Home intercoms and door access systems can include a camera and recording device at the front door, to see who has approached the home.  “These systems have a pre-recorded greeting so children alone at home do not need to speak to individuals at the door,” Montie said.
4. Indoor Lighting Control: Lighting control systems can ensure safety of passage with well-lit and well-planned switches and fixtures throughout the home.  They also can make a strobe pattern of light to guide family members out of the home and to an exit in the case of fire.
5. Outdoor Lighting Control: Timed or motion sensitive lighting systems outdoors give homeowners well-lit paths into their homes.  They also can be used to deter intruders, as they make it difficult for intruders to approach unseen and can create the appearance that someone is home.
6. Senior Safety: “Security products are specially designed for seniors to ensure safety,” Montie said.  “There is a broad range of mobile devices to help alert family members of a fall in the home, devices that track movement in the home, as well as call alerts from bathrooms, bedrooms, and more, which easily alert for medical assistance.”
7. Radon Testing: Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and has been linked to certain types of Leukemia, according to Nick Kerzner, CR, CKBR of Kerzner Remodeling and Construction in Oconomowoc.  “A radon test should be done every two years because conditions change in the earth beneath your home due to temperature changes, moisture content of the soil, and erosion,” Kerzner said.  “Radon testing and mitigation are relatively inexpensive.”
8. Child Proofing: It may seem impossible to count all the dangers posed to children in the home. Some hazards homeowners should address in households with small children include blinds and curtain cords, medicines or household chemicals, electrical outlets and cords, windows out of which children can climb, home gyms, furniture that can tip, sharp corners, water hazards, and choking hazards.
9. Air Quality: Proper ventilation is vital, especially if a family member has asthma.  Changing the air filter often can go a long way toward taking care of pollutants inside the home.  In older homes where indoor air is already contaminated with dirt, homeowners can invest in a thorough duct cleaning.  Installing a whole house dehumidifier can address moisture issues.
10. Home Remodeling: Sometimes it is necessary to remodel a home to make it safe. Milwaukee/NARI suggests that homeowners have a licensed inspector check their homes for hazards.  Some problems to look for include unstable or missing railings, antiquated wiring, lead-based paint, sagging or loose roofing, cracks in the foundation, asbestos insulation, mold and mildew, cracked or unstable steps, creosote buildup in a fireplace, and an upper level or basement with a bedroom and only one exit (no egress window).

The Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council was chartered in July 1961, as a Chapter of the National Home Improvement Council.  In May of 1982, the National Home Improvement Council merged with the National Remodelers Association to form NARI – the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

The Council’s goals of encouraging ethical conduct, professionalism, and sound business practices in the remodeling industry have led to the remodeling industry’s growth and made NARI a recognized authority in that industry.  With over 900 members, the Milwaukee Chapter is the nation’s largest.

For more information on the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council or to receive a free copy of an annual membership roster listing all members alphabetically and by category, and the booklet, “Milwaukee/NARI's Remodeling Guide,” call (414) 771-4071.