Spring cleaning is a popular time to clean out the old belongings in your home. There are important things to keep in mind though when you are getting rid of unwanted chemicals. Riverside Fire Chief Chad Smothers warns to those cleaning out their homes and garages, “I usually see people trying to clean out their garages, basements, get rid of some stuff, so obviously chemicals that you may have leftover that are outdated, expired, dispose of them properly. Typically I know Riverside they have once or twice a year a city cleanup, where the garbage company comes in and will dispose of those hazards for you.” Smothers adds that local landfills usually provide a way to dispose of hazardous materials.

Tips for preparing your home for the summer months include checking your air conditioner filter to make sure it’s clean. It’s also important to monitor your carbon monoxide levels with a carbon monoxide detector and have working smoke detectors. Smothers says to be cautious of overloading electrical outlets and cooking fires.