Home Tips

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Safety

Are Your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors Keeping Your Family & Pets Safe?

There is no better time than now to check on your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. These small but essential devices play a crucial role in protecting your household—including your pets—from fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Since pets are often home alone for long periods, ensuring proper placement and maintenance is key to their safety.

Where Should You Install Smoke & CO Detectors?

✔ Smoke Detectors should be placed:

In every bedroom and outside each sleeping area
On every level of your home, including the basement
In hallways and near stairwells
At least 10 feet away from cooking appliances to avoid false alarms

✔ Carbon Monoxide Detectors should be placed:

On every level of your home
Outside sleeping areas to alert you if CO levels rise overnight
Near attached garages or fuel-burning appliances like fireplaces and furnaces
Near pet areas if your pets spend time in a specific room while you’re away

Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Family & Pets Safe

✅ Test monthly by pressing the test button
✅ Replace batteries at least once a year (unless using a 10-year sealed battery)
✅ Clean regularly to prevent dust buildup
✅ Replace units every 10 years for smoke detectors and every 5-7 years for CO detectors

🔥 Pet Emergency Tip: If a fire or CO alarm goes off while you're not home, your pets could be trapped. Consider placing a pet rescue sticker on your front door to alert first responders that pets are inside.

A properly maintained smoke and CO detector system can save lives—both human and furry! Take a few minutes this month to test yours and ensure they’re placed correctly for maximum protection.

Decluttering Your Home

A clutter-free home is not just about aesthetics - it’s about creating a space where you can relax, recharge, and focus on what truly matters. Decluttering your home might seem like a daunting task, but with a strategic approach, it can be both manageable and deeply rewarding. Here are some practical tips to help you get started:

Set Clear Goals

Before diving in, decide what you want to achieve. Are you looking to create more space, prepare your home for sale, or simply reduce stress? Having a clear goal will keep you motivated throughout the process.

Tackle One Area at a Time

Decluttering an entire home can feel overwhelming. Break it down into smaller tasks by focusing on one room, or even one drawer, at a time. Completing smaller areas gives you a sense of accomplishment and encourages you to keep going.

Use the Four-Box Method

As you declutter, use four boxes labeled:

Keep: Items you use regularly or hold significant sentimental value.

Donate: Items in good condition that someone else could benefit from.

Sell: Items of value that you no longer need.

Trash: Items that are broken, worn out, or no longer usable.

Ask Yourself Key Questions

When deciding whether to keep an item, ask yourself:

  • Have I used this in the last year?
  • Does this item spark joy or serve a purpose?
  • Would I buy this again today?
Answering these questions honestly can help you make better decisions.

Create New Habits

Decluttering is not a one-time activity. Maintain your clutter-free space by adopting habits like:
  • Implementing a one-in, one-out rule: For every new item brought into your home, remove an old one.
  • Setting aside 10 minutes each day to tidy up.
  • Regularly evaluating your belongings to ensure they still serve your needs.
Consider Professional Help

If the task feels too large or emotional, don’t hesitate to hire a professional organizer. They can provide guidance and a fresh perspective to help you achieve your goals.

Celebrate Your Progress

Each decluttered space is a step toward a more organized and peaceful home. Celebrate your successes along the way, whether it’s enjoying a clutter-free kitchen counter or hosting friends in your newly refreshed living room.


The Benefits of Decluttering

A tidy home offers more than just physical space; it provides mental clarity, reduces stress, and increases productivity. If you’re preparing to sell your home, decluttering can also help prospective buyers see its full potential, making it more appealing and easier to sell.

Take the first step today. Your home should be a sanctuary, and decluttering is the key to transforming it into one.

Create an Emergency Kit for You and Your Pet


Getting shut-in by extreme winter weather, or having to deal with an extended power outage is a real possibility across Canada. It is suggested you have enough supplies to meet your families needs, including your pets, for at least 72 hours. Here’s what you should consider for a winter-specific emergency kit for your home.

For You and Your Family

Warmth and Safety

Blankets and Sleeping Bags: Opt for thermal or emergency blankets designed for extreme cold.
Clothing Layers: Include thermal underwear, wool socks, gloves, hats, and scarves.
Backup Heat Source: A battery-powered heater or a wood-burning stove if possible (ensure proper ventilation).

Power and Light

Flashlights and Batteries: Avoid candles, as they can pose fire risks.
Portable Chargers: Fully charged power banks to keep your devices running.
Headlamps: Useful for hands-free lighting.

Food and Water

Non-Perishable Food: Stock up on canned soups, ready-to-eat meals, and snacks that don’t require cooking.
Water: One gallon per person per day for at least three days.
Manual Can Opener: Essential if your food is canned.

Emergency Tools

First Aid Kit: Include bandages, antiseptics, and any prescription medications.
Weather Radio: A battery-powered or hand-crank radio to stay updated on weather conditions.

Household Needs

Rock Salt or Sand: To prevent slips on icy walkways.
Fire Extinguisher: In case of emergencies with backup heating sources.
Backup Generator: If possible, ensure it's properly maintained and fueled.


For Your Pets

Warmth

Extra Bedding: Blankets or pet-safe heated pads to keep them cozy.
Sweaters or Jackets: For pets that get cold easily, such as short-haired breeds or small dogs.
Paw Protection: Booties or pet-safe balm to prevent cracked paws from exposure to ice and salt.

Food and Water

Three-Day Supply of Pet Food: Opt for airtight containers to prevent spoilage.
Water: Store extra water specifically for your pet.
Bowls: Collapsible or insulated bowls to prevent freezing.

Safety

Leash, Harness, or Carrier: For safe mobility if you need to evacuate.
Current ID Tags: Make sure they’re updated with your contact information.

Sanitation

Litter and Pee Pads: Make sure to have extra litter and even a spare catbox. Consider pee pads in cases where your pup may not be able to go outside for a period of time.



Tips for Winter Power Outages

Stay Warm Safely: Never use outdoor appliances like grills or camp stoves indoors, as they can produce deadly carbon monoxide.
Conserve Heat: Close off unused rooms, block drafts with towels, and keep everyone in one room to retain warmth.
Prevent Water Damage: Let faucets drip to avoid frozen pipes.
Prepare for Darkness: Keep all lighting supplies in an easily accessible place.

Pet-Specific Considerations in Cold Weather

Indoor Time: Keep pets indoors as much as possible. If they need to go outside, keep trips brief.
Frozen Water: Check your pet’s water regularly to ensure it hasn’t frozen.
Routine: Maintain their feeding and exercise schedules to minimize stress.


Winter weather can be unpredictable, but with a bit of preparation, you can ensure your household is safe, warm, and secure. 

Prepare for Snow Before it Arrives

Winter is on its way, and a little planning can save you from scrambling during the first snowfall Preparing now means you’ll be ready to tackle whatever winter has in store. Here’s a quick checklist to make sure you're set.


Stock Up on Salt
De-icing salt or ice melt is essential for keeping walkways safe. Stock up early, as stores can run low once winter hits. Choose the right kind of salt for your surfaces, and if you have pets, consider a pet-safe variety to protect their paws.


Inspect Your Shovels
Shovels are the frontline defense against snow accumulation, so make sure they’re in good shape. Check for cracks or warping, and consider replacing any broken ones. Having a sturdy shovel will make clearing snow easier and reduce the risk of injury.

Service Your Snowblower
If you have a snowblower, don’t wait until the first storm to find out it won’t start. Take time now to service it: change the oil, check the spark plug, and make sure it’s fueled up. Running it briefly before winter sets in can help confirm it’s ready to go.


Preparing ahead for winter helps keep your home safe, accessible, and easy to manage when snow arrives. Taking these simple steps now will save time and hassle later on, so you can enjoy winter without the stress!

Turn Off and Drain Your Outdoor Faucets Before Winter

Avoid potential major damage to your plumbing system or even the structure of your home, by ensuring you turn off and drain all outdoor faucets - including those in your garage - before winter arrives. Water left in pipes can freeze and expand, resulting in cracked or burst pipes. 


Steps to Turn Off Outdoor Faucets

1. Locate the Shut-Off Valve -  Find the indoor shut-off valve that controls water flow to your outdoor faucets. It’s typically located in the basement or crawl space, near the point where the pipe leading outside exits the home. 

 2. Turn Off the Water - Close the shut-off valve by turning it clockwise until it is fully tight.
   
3. Drain the Faucet - Once the valve is closed, open the outdoor faucet to drain any remaining water in the pipe and leave it open for the winter. This step is important to ensure that no water is left in the pipe to freeze. 
   
4. Disconnect Hoses - If you have hoses connected to the faucet, be sure to disconnect and store them to prevent any water left in the hose from freezing and backing up into the faucet.

5. Install a Faucet Cover (Optional) - To add an extra layer of protection, you can install an insulated faucet cover, which helps prevent freezing during extremely cold weather.