Spring: Get Fired Up!

Photo by Horia Varlan

I am a plan-aholic. When I was a kid, I used to determine an escape route for ev-er-y-thing. I even selected the two items I would take with me if ever we had a house fire . . .

Sunshine Bear and a book.

Thankfully, I never executed on the plan. And now Sunshine Bear sits on my son's bed, eagerly awaiting his arrival. (Well, perhaps not "eagerly," but the bear is there, nonetheless.)

Which brings me to this:

With the advent of each season, I like to run through the following checklist:

1. Look for water stains throughout the house. (They signals leaks that need attention!)

2. Replace the batteries in important safety devices. (Consider smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, etc.)

3. Review safety plans with the family. (Do your children know what to do in each emergency?)

4. Check walls for cracks. (Don't forget the basement!)

5. Inspect locks on each door and window. (Over time, these can weaken without our noticing.)

And above all, put your two favorite items by the front door just in case . . .