It's early February, traditionally considered the start of Spring in Ireland. As the days get longer a lot of people will be starting to think of the annual spring clean.
The spring clean is great for getting the house looking its best but there are some jobs which you can at this time of the year which might save you money and could even save your life!
Fire Extinguishers: Check your fire extinguisher at least once yearly, including the hose, nozzle and other parts, to make sure they are in good condition and that the pressure gauge is in the "green" range. If necessary, move your fire extinguisher to an accessible place. There are service dates on some extinguishers, check yours to see if it needs to be serviced or replaced.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Inspect each of the detectors in your home to ensure all are in working order. Do the batteries need to be replaced? Make sure to test them monthly. Ideally, there should be at least one smoke detector on each floor of your home, including the hallway or area outside of each set of bedrooms, and one within each bedroom itself. If necessary, install additional smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors as needed.
Heating Boiler: Did you service the boiler yet this winter? If not, now is the time to do it. A regularly serviced Oil or Gas boiler will save you money and will reduce the risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
Outside: As the days get a little longer, there's more time to send in the garden. Take a look at your trees, shrubs and bushes. Are any too close to windows? Are there any overhanging a footpath? Now is a good time to trim tree branches and hedges to prevent them causing damage or becoming a nuisance.
