Spring cleaning is usually associated with clearing out closets, cleaning up the yard and giving your home a nice deep clean. But there are many important safety measures that people often overlook throughout the year.

Here are some safety steps to add to your Spring cleaning checklist.

• Test your smoke alarms. According to the National Fire Protection Association, roughly three out of five fire-related deaths happen in homes with no working smoke alarms. Make it a priority to test your smoke alarms every month. Replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year (or immediately whenever your alarm chirps, warning the battery is low).
• Check your carbon monoxide detector. When fuels (e.g. gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil and methane) burn incompletely, it can result in dangerous carbon monoxide. Similar to your smoke alarm, test your carbon monoxide detector at least once a month and replace the battery periodically. Additionally, take steps to ensure all gas appliance vents (e.g. fireplace, dryer, stove, furnace) are free of debris and clear of snow build-up.
• Clean out your medicine cabinet. Properly dispose of expired or unused medication at a prescription drop box or drug take-back event in your area. Remaining medication should be kept in its original container and out of reach of young children.
• Pay attention to cleaning labels. In the frenzy of Spring cleaning, it’s easy to overlook warning labels that are meant to reduce your risk of illness or injury. Additionally, there are some cleaning products that should never be mixed (e.g. bleach and ammonia) because they can become toxic. So, it’s important to pay attention to these labels and keep cleaning supplies in their original container for quick reference during future use.
• Update your family emergency plan. Take this time to update and review your emergency plan with all family members. Restock your emergency kit and include additional considerations for individuals with disabilities, young children and pets.

Each of these items can be added to any cleaning checklist you use throughout the year to ensure each safety measure is receiving your full attention.

And, don’t forget to add CPR and First Aid training to your safety checklist. Find a training center near you.