Its Time to Test Your Dwelling for Security and Safety

After all October is home security and safety month too... Schauer's Hardware asks; When was the last time you did something to make your home safer?

Schauer's Hardware wants to discuss some areas in the residence where you may not consistently check and maybe should.

1. Analyze Your Fireplace or Wood Stove

 

Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves can surely help keep us hotter in the colder season! DO NOT dismiss or forget to preserve your fireplace or wood stove before you use them each year. If you have a fireplace, typical inspection or maintenance/cleaning before you start it back up for the season could prevent an undesirable house fire. If you use your fireplace often – it may need cleaned more often. A few areas to pay attention to are the top vents, you could and should replace them if they are rusted, old, or damaged, etc. Confirm and see that there are absolutley no obstructions in the chimney, by lighting very modest pieces of wood and look and see if the smoke rises and is not obstructed by anything. Also, don’t forget to observe the outer part of the chimney for cracks and damaged masonry. If not fixed, these can leak combustion gasses inside, constructing a fire hazard.

If you don’t want to do this, have licensed pro inspect and clean your chimney. CSL (Creosote Sweeping Log) logs available at Schauer's Hardware do support and help improve your fireplace performance as it helps get rid of the buildup of deposits, which are both a fire hazard and a hindrance to performance. Creosote is a black or brown residue that can be crusty and tar-like, all types of it are highly combustible and can create a fire. Always blaze seasoned firewood, no trash, no driftwood, treated wood, or artificial logs, for the best results and safety of your fireplace or woodstove.

Use a wood stove? Your wood stove should have a stack thermometer to aid in helping monitor the gases leaving the stove. This is imperative when monitoring efficiency and pollution control. Also, smaller fires in truth facilitates and improves deterioration and quality air control. Try to remember to keep the ash cleaned up, it helps oxygen better get to the fire to fuel it. The more insignifigant the smoke, the cleaner the burning will go. So go now and get your fireplace and/or wood stove in order for the bleak cold by purchasing helpful products at Schauer's Hardware today.

2. Secure Your TV To Avert A Disaster

With thin televisions, they tip over easier, especially with pets and children running around. According Consumer Reports, 340 people have been killed from a TV falling on them from the years 2000 – 2017. (https://www.consumerreports.org/product-safety/tv-tipovers-still-pose-danger-despite-lighter-flat-screens/)

It can be easy to fix. Install the unique Anti-tip hardware to your television shortly with any of these options:

• Wall mounting
• Anchoring furniture with anti-tip brackets
• Installing anti-tip straps on the back in non-mounted

Most local hardware stores should have a variety of fasteners and brackets if you plan to mount by a custom design.

3. Inspect Your Walkways

 

This can seem like an easy thing to do, but how many times do you consider that you have Inspected and then someone trips on a bumpy part or there is really cold weather that showed up overnight and there is an incident on the sidewalk?? Over time the cement can buckle or settle due to tree roots or other causes. If you recognize some cracks or uneven areas, have them fixed up by doing it yourself, or hire a pro to help. If you are in a snowy area, during winter make sure to have a snow shovel and/or ice melt ready to use. Our hardware store is your place for bitter cold season help. Just ask a department specialist in the store for help with cement crack filler to mend your sidewalk or ice melt for seasonally cold days.

  

4. Change Your Door Locks

If your locks are dingy, old, or you have lost all the keys, it could be the occasion to improve your locks and door knobs. With the influx of an assortment of smart locks on the market, finding the correct way to defend your home will depend on what is best for your family. Schauer's Hardware features smart locks with keypads, smart locks with touch screens, smart locks to use with your smart phone, and smart locks with hidden key options in an assortment of colors and styles. Do a little bit of exploration for which kind is best for you. Some maybe are special order only. But just ask an associate to to help service you.

  

Did you know? You can save cash by re-keying your lock, instead of purchasing new. You could need to switch out your lock due to a new renter, you lost your keys, or you need to change your keys for the lock. You might need to re-key your lock instead of buying a new one to save money. You will need to safely remove it from the door and bring it into the store, because the cost of doing this is far less than a new lock. Check with our hardware store in Forest Park to see if they have this service.

 

5. Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors