Top Spring Cleaning Chores

Spring Cleaning at one time involved a complete top to bottom cleaning of every square inch of a home. To complete the process families would often spend an entire week removing, cleaning, and replacing everything in the home to create that spring-fresh feeling. Today's spring cleaning may not be as involved, but there are a few tasks that need to be performed seasonally in your home. Here are the top chores that need to be done this spring.

Storing Seasonal Clothing - When warmer spring weather arrives, it's time to pack away sweaters, coats, and other cold weather clothing. Storing seasonal clothing is easy to do safely if you follow a few simple rules. Making sure that the storage containers and areas follow the rules of clean, cool, dark, and dry will keep clothing in good shape for next winter.

Check Appliances - We expect our appliances to perform whenever we need them, but sometimes their care can be neglected. Each spring take the time to inspect your major appliances for wear and tear. The coils of the refrigerator should be vacuumed, and the drain pan should be cleaned out. Accumulated lint needs to be cleaned from the dryer vents. Clean out accumulated gunk from your oven and refrigerator. Clean dishwashers, disposals, and washing machines. Heating and cooling units need maintenance as well.

Clutter Control - Spring is the perfect time to remove clutter and excess from the home. Try the 4 container clutter method to help figure out items that need to be kept, sold, given away, or trashed. If paper clutter is one of your problems, find out how to reduce paper piles around the home.

Garage Storage - It may be a little daunting, but chances are your garage could use some attention this spring. Whether you need to organize a garage cleanup day or just need to remove a few items to be used in a garage sale, it makes sense to pay a little attention to your garage this spring. Try some new organizational tools or techniques to store sports equipment, Christmas decorations, or whatever your family hides in your garage space.

Outdoor Areas - Spring is a great time to get the outdoors ready for entertaining. Clean the patio and outdoor furniture. Do some basic landscaping repairs on the lawn, shrubbery, and plants. The exterior doors and windows of the home may need some attention. Check for fence and exterior repairs. Lawn maintenance or pest prevention may need to be performed as well. With a little effort this spring, outdoor areas will be ready to entertain throughout the summer. Adopted by http://housekeeping.about.com

Be Red Cross Ready (ARC Month)

Make A Plan

Getting a kit is just the first step in preparing for a disaster. You need to have a plan in place, so you know what to do with that kit and how to stay safe during an emergency. Planning ahead will help you have the best possible response to a disaster and therefore, speed up the recovery time for you and your family.

Make a plan based on your household’s unique needs and the types of disasters that are likely to occur in your community.

Talk - Discuss with your family what disasters or emergencies might happen in your community. Talk about why it is important to plan and work together as a team if an emergency occurs.

Plan - Choose two places where household members will meet after a disaster: one outside of your home and another outside of your neighborhood. Determine two ways to get out of each room in your home and two ways to evacuate your community. If you have pets, don’t forget to include them in your plan.

Develop a communication plan - Include an out-of-town emergency contact. During a disaster it may be easier to call long distance. It is important that every member of the household know the name and number of the emergency contact. Download and print an emergency contact card for each member of your household.

Learn - Know what the disaster warning signals are in your community and what to do or where to go when you hear them. Find out what the emergency plans are for your workplaces and schools. Adults should learn how to turn off utilities such as gas, water and electricity; and know how to properly use a fire extinguisher. Make sure everyone in your household knows how to call for emergency help.

Tell - Everyone in your household should know where emergency information and supplies are stored. Keep information updated and supplies well-stocked.
Practice - Review your plan and practice evacuation drills (from your home and your neighborhood) at least two times a year.

Your basic Disaster Supplies Kit should include:

• Water, Food, Flashlight(s) with extra batteries, A family first aid kit
• Medications, A radio with extra batteries, Tools, Clothing
• Personal items, Sanitary supplies, Money (cash),Contact information
• Pet supplies, A map, - Adopted by http://www.redcross-indy.org