As Ohioans start spring cleaning around their homes, the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of State Fire Marshal urges to use this time to improve their home's safety.

"Keeping fire prevention and safety in mind during your spring-cleaning routine can go a long way in keeping your home and loved ones safe," said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon.

He continues, "By adding some simple items to your to-do list, such as reducing clutter, clearing debris, and properly maintaining appliances, you can help prevent fires from occurring in and around your home."

To help reduce the risk of a fire in the coming months, Ohioans should follow the safety recommendations into their spring-cleaning activities.

- Clean out your clothes dryer: Ensure the exhaust pipe is clear and the outdoor vent flap opens properly. Keep flammable items like boxes and cleaning supplies away from the dryer. Avoid washing cloth items that have come into contact with gasoline or other flammable substances until they've been aired out and dried.

- Reduce fire risks: Ensure storage or hoarding doesn't block pathways, creating fire hazards. Talk to loved ones about fire safety and maintaining accessible exits. Find more fire safety resources for hoarding through the U.S. Fire Administration. Ensure all items are kept at least three feet from heat sources, including hot water heaters and furnaces.

- Clean outdoor debris: Remove leaves, pine needles and flammable items from under decks and near buildings to prevent embers from bonfires, grills and other items from potentially igniting your home. Clear dead vegetation within five feet of your home. Keep construction materials, woodpiles and trash at least 30 feet away. 

- Check your grill: Inspect for grease buildup, rust or debris before use. Clean out nests, spiderwebs and other obstructions. Check propane/natural gas grills for leaks before igniting.

-Proper gasoline usage: Gasoline should only be used as motor fuel and stored in approved containers designed for that purpose. Containers should always be tightly capped when not in use. Gasoline should never be stored in a basement or any occupied part of the home, only a detached garage or shed.

Additionally, the State Fire Marshal also encourages to use this time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries. 

Smoke and CO alarms should be tested monthly and should be discarded if the smoke alarm is more than ten years old.

For more fire prevention resources, you can check out the State Fire Marshal's webpage here.