It has been a long time coming, but I am proud to announce that as of January 2008, a new non-profit organization focused on child and household safety in Southeastern PA, will open its doors.
The PA Home Safety Council has been a pet project of mine since I opened my doors as a home inspector 4 years ago. Our mission is to provide free and low-cost services designed to improve safety in the home for those who need it most: single parents, low income families, and senior citizens.
As an inspector, I am all too familiar with conditions in homes that are dangerous - even lethal! - but often go unnoticed or 
unaddressed. It hurts me to my core to hear the stories that come out each year about babies, children, and the elderly who suffer preventable deaths because someone lacked the knowledge or resources to make a small improvement that would keep them safe.
So, I decided to do something about it.
I will be using my tools, talent and time (plus skills I acquired as a former Executive Director of a non-profit) to bring advice and help to people who want it. Of course, I will still be running my inspection business - this is just something that I want to do to help out in any way I can.
Paperwork is being filed, and the formal structure and registrations are being obtained. I am donating the start up funding(for supplies and safety equipment) and providing free inspections and consultations through my company Sherlock Homes Inspections. By January we will have formed a Strategic Plan for the next 3 years.
WHAT WE WILL DO:
My goals are to be performing:
- Free childproofing inspections for single and low-income parents
- Offering free childproofing equipment and kits (cabinet locks, lead paint swabs, outlet covers, door knob covers, carbon monoxide detectors, etc) for single and low-income parents
- Free home safety checks for seniors and low income families including carbon monoxide testing, lead paint swab testing, fire safety checks, and identification of potential electrical or fire hazards.
- Freesmoke alarms with installation and fire safety inspections for seniors and low income families
- FREE 911-only cell phones (used) donated for anyone who needs one (good for seniors or low income families for emergency only use)
Plans will expand, I am sure. I am always open to ideas and suggestions.
WHAT WE NEED:
Help, mostly, in any form!
....all of it needs to be done, and I am a pretty busy inspector, so there is a limit to what I can do alone.
You may know of some young parents who need a little help with childproofing, or a single mom trying to make it on her own, or a senior citizen who isn't able to make sure batteries in the smoke detector are changed. Maybe your current volunteer or charity interests overlap and we can partner with your group (like Habitat for Humanity, A Woman's Place, etc). Or maybe you just want a quick, simply way to help others out without a long term or major time commitment.
If you have any interest, let me know!
Help in identifying those who need these services, and how to reach them is also critical.
To start with, services will be provided in Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery counties - but I hope to expand them throughout SoutheasternPA quickly.
Oh, and - of course - any contributions (no matter how small - $1 buys 12 outlet covers!!) would be gratefully accepted. We will be setting up a formal website and will be sure to thank (and link to) our contributors, sponsors and supporters.
I will be sure to keep you all updated on progress.
And please - if you have any ideas, suggestions, or can help us in any way - don't be a stranger!!!
Joe Michalski
Sherlock Homes Inspections
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