Once the weather starts to warm up, it’s the perfect time to tackle those overdue cleaning tasks to revitalize your living space. Here’s how you can tackle spring cleaning with added safety measures in mind:
1. Start Small: Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to tackle everything at once. Begin with one area or room of your home and work your way through gradually. This approach will help you stay motivated and avoid burnout. Make a realistic plan and stick to it.
2. Declutter with Purpose: Decluttering can create a sense of calm and space in your home. If it no longer brings you joy or serves a purpose, consider donating or discarding it. Decluttering can bring up a lot of emotions & memories, be gentle on yourself and allow yourself time to reminisce.
3. Safety Check: As you clean, be mindful of potential hazards such as loose rugs, slippery floors, or cluttered walkways. Conduct a safety check to ensure your home is free from tripping hazards and that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order. Consider getting rid of area rugs as they pose an additional fall risk. Lastly, check your medicine cabinet for expired medication and dispose of at your local pharmacy.
4. Get Creative with Storage: Maximize your space by utilizing storage solutions that are practical. Consider investing in baskets, bins, or shelving to keep belongings organized and safely accessible. You don’t need to break the bank, places like Dollar Store, Walmart & Canadian tire often offer affordable storage solutions.
5. Enlist Support: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from family members, friends, or caregivers. Cleaning can be physical demanding, and having someone lend a hand can make the process more efficient and enjoyable. For cleaning services available in the Headingley area, contact the HSS office.
6. Take Regular Breaks: Pace yourself and listen to your body. Take regular breaks and stay hydrated. Its important to spread out your spring cleaning over a period of several days or even weeks.
7. Celebrate your progress: Take pride in your accomplishments, no matter how small. Celebrate each room you clean and each item you declutter as a step toward creating a more comfortable and inviting living space.
For more information, please visit:
Þ https://seniorsbulletin.ca/decluttering-for-seniors/#Organizing-Tips
Þ https://balancethroughsimplicity.com/decluttering-tips-seniors/
Þ https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place/aging-place-tips-making-home-safe-and-accessible
Þ https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/smoke-alarms
Þ https://www.nfpa.org/downloadable-resources/safety-tip-sheets/carbon-monoxide-safety-tip-sheet
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