For this month's article, the ESPC Public Relations Team took on the art of decluttering your home, and how to assist those than may need assistance to get the job done. Cluttered garages, living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and hallways can be potential safety hazards.

As we all know it takes a lot of initiative, energy and time to assess, organize and throw away things during a thorough spring cleaning.  Where do we start?

Often this task can be very overwhelming, so the best advice the ESPC could come up with for you is to make a plan and start slow.  Pick one room at a time and do it in stages.  Separate what needs to be organized into a three boxes – keep it, donate it or toss it.  Work in that room 20-30 minutes at a time until you’re finished and then move on to the next room.  This process will allow you to go through in manageable chunks and systematically organize. 

When you are done organizing yourself, be sure to remember your aging friends, neighbors and parents.  Many of them would greatly appreciate a helping hand.

Those that use walkers or canes can be greatly hindered by clutter on the floor and it can be very dangerous.  It may be more difficult for them to remove or throw away larger objects in the home and these may accumulate over time and become tripping hazards.  Helping to have them removed would be a tremendous service to them and a way to keep them safe and independent in their home. 

Area rugs are a trip hazard and contribute to a high percentage of all falls that occur within the home.  Consider removing them from the home entirely or secure the edges to the floor using double sided tape.  If there is a lot of sentimental value in the rug, suggest hanging it up as a wall decoration.

Look out for the older extension cords as potential fire hazards, as well as tripping hazards and help them purchase new power strip cords.

Volunteer to help your aging families, friends and neighbors by doing a walkthrough of their home to help them identify possible safety issues.  Be on the lookout for newspapers piled up next to heaters or electrical cords as these are potential fire hazards. 

Make sure doorways are accessible and not blocked by furniture, boxes or clutter and look to see that all windows can be opened easily and lock properly.  Look for any cracked walkways or loose steps leading into the house and make sure all handrails throughout the house are secure. 

By volunteering to help we can increase safety in the home and benefit from the time spent together. Make safety in the home something you practice throughout the year and share your ability to assist with those that are important to you.

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Source: Eric VanMetre and Christine Ogden, ESPC Public Relations Committee, www.espcfrederick.com