Some days we look up at the ceiling and wish, “If there were only more hours in the day.” Well, thanks to the end of Daylight Savings time, or Fall Back, our wishes are granted for at least a day this Sunday. We’ll set our clocks back an hour, lean back and look forward to that extra hour of sleep. But catching up on sleep isn’t the only thing we should be catching up on. Take this extra time to make a home safety to do list during that free hour.
5 minutes: Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These little guys are often out of sight out of mind until they begin to chirp. Take a few minutes to make sure that they are in working order and have fresh batteries.
20 minutes: Clean out your medicine cabinet. De-clutter that space under and/or above your sink. Properly dispose of any expired medications.
- Empty the bottles and mix expired meds among undesirable substances such as dirt, kitty litter, or used coffee grounds.
- Scratch out all personal information on the prescription labels of the bottles before throwing them in the trash.
- Some medications are recommended by the FDA to be flushed. View the list.
20 minutes: Restock your emergency and first aid kits. These kits always have what we need- until they don’t. Take this time to make sure that moment isn’t when you need them most. If you don’t currently have these kits, this is the perfect opportunity to start one. Follow our “Tips for stocking an using First Aid kits” http://www.grhealth.org/childrens-hospital-of-georgia/childrens-hospital-of-georgia-community-programs/safe-kids-greater-augusta/tips-for-stocking-and-using-first-aid-kits2
15 minutes (maybe a little longer if you really get creative): Know who to call. Get the kids to help you with making quick and easy fridge magnets that have important numbers like emergency contacts or help hotlines, like Poison Control (1-800-222-1222). You can make them by cutting out shapes of felt or foam, decorating them with markers or fabric paint and attaching magnets to their backs. These are perfect for baby sitters.
