Here’s A Simple Home Safety Checklist

      If you are like most busy Americans, you probably find it difficult to keep track of when maintenance needs to be done and what should be the priorities.  Here are some tips to help you keep your home in tip-top condition.

 

Monthly:

Use a solution of one capful of bleach to a gallon of water to clean your sinks, showers, tubs, and refrigerator shelves.  Bacteria love these locations, and can cause odors…even illness.

Test your GFCI breakers to ensure they’ll protect your family from a potential electrical shock.  Don’t know what a “GFCI breaker” is?  Give your handyman a call and have them installed.

Test your smoke detectors at least monthly to ensure they’re working properly.  Replace batteries at least every six months.

 

Every Six Months:

Lube your door locks and garage door with lightweight oil.

Clean your dryer vent – all the way up the tube!

Clean your refrigerator coils.

Check your roof for sags, puddling, and cracks.

Trim vines and trees away from your home.

Clean gutters and downspouts (more frequently in the fall!).

 

Yearly:

Have your furnace and air conditioner professionally inspected.

Drain and flush your water heater.

Clean your chimney to prevent fire hazard.

Seal or paint any wood trim to protect it from the elements.

Replace your smoke detectors every three to five years.