I learned these things today:

Electric power strips: dust that gets in them is combustible and an electric spark could set it off. Vacuum it, and blow some of that compressed air into it, then put those child-proof outlet protectors in the unused outlets to keep the dust out. Either attach the strip to the wall so it's not lying flat, or try to get it to stay on its side.

It's also a good idea to put those outlet on all the outlets to keep the dust out of them, too.



Fire Extinguishers don't last forever, even if the gauge is still in the okay zone. Twice a year, shake them from end to end and listen/feel for powder moving around in there. It's like sugar and over time it can cake up and lose effectiveness.

Put electrical tape on the terminal end of 9 volt batteries because it's easy for both positive and negative poles to simultaneously contact something flammable. Do this when they are new (or keep them in the original package until ready to use), and when you dispose of them because they might have some charge left.

Make sure your electrical plugs are pushed all the way into outlets, particularly the 220 plugs on electric clothes dryers and water heaters so dust doesn't get in the space.

Keep something heavy like a fire extinguisher in your bedroom to break windows with. In a fire, shut the bedroom door so air doesn't gush in or out, and stand to one side of the window. Break the glass out and throw a blanket or bed pillow over the sill in case of glass remnants.

Fire safety wisdom used to tell us to get down on the floor and crawl below the smoke in a fire, but the latest is to crawl with your head up in a 12- to 24-inch zone, above any toxic gases that might be along the floor. Today's furniture and decor fabrics are more commonly made using petroleum products instead of natural fibers like wool and cotton, so there are more gases generated in a house fire.

We're supposed to sleep with our bedroom doors closed, or cracked just a little bit to allow cats and dogs free movement.

If there is a fire, feel the door with the back of your hand in case it's really hot so you don't burn your fingers and palm. And never touch the doorknob with a bare hand.

Establish a gathering spot for your family and guests in case of fire. This is so you will know that everyone got out okay.

Keep an eye on the Consumer Product Safety Commission's recalls website.

Recent Recalls|CPSC.gov

This is a jolly post, isn't it? Sorry, but the message is to be careful and give some of these a thought.