Home safety is important all year, but the winter months bring some potential dangers that homeowners should be aware of so they can prevent damage and even safety hazards. Keep these tips in mind whether you are listing your Wellesley home for sale or just want to keep your home in top condition.
Prevent Freezing Pipes
Frozen pipes can lead to a lot of damage. Of course, they can damage your plumbing system but they can also cause flooding and water damage to floors, walls and ceilings. To prevent frozen pipes, never turn your heater completely off when it’s freezing outside and open cupboards to expose pipes to warm air in your home.
Have Your Fireplace and Chimney Cleaned and Inspected
Every year, have your fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional. Build up of ash, dust and other materials can be a fire hazard, and it’s important to make sure your fireplace is in working order before you use it.
Do Not Leave Candles Unattended and Use Holiday Lights Safely
Decorative and scented candles are popular during the winter and holidays, but make sure you never leave them unattended or light them near flammable objects like curtains or furniture.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions that come with holiday lights. Never overload your power outlets and do not hang lights on dry or dead trees or plants.
Shovel Walkways and Use Salt
Keep your driveway, walkways and porch safe by keeping it shoveled and using salt to clear the areas of ice that could cause people to slip and fall. To make this easier, keep a snow shovel and salt near your doorway or in your garage so you can easily clear snow away from doorways.
Check Door and Window Seals
Make sure door and window seals aren’t cracked or broken and if they are, repair them immediately. Broken seals let cold air into your home, making it drafty. When this happens you may turn your heater up to compensate, which will increase your utility bills.
Check Smoke Detectors and Locate Fire Extinguishers
The end of the year is the perfect time to check smoke detectors to make sure they are working and replace batteries as needed. Also locate the fire extinguishers in your home, making sure they are accessible. The laundry room, kitchen and garage are ideal places to keep fire extinguishers.
Be Prepared for Power Outages or Snow Storms
Winter storms can cause power outages, so you need to be prepared. Have a first aid kit, emergency kit and a supply of food readily available in case you are stuck without power for long periods of time.
Also make sure you have space heaters, extra blankets, flashlights, batteries and candles in a place that is easy to access so that you can be warm and comfortable if the power goes out.
Keep your family safe all winter by following these home safety guidelines. Making sure your home has safety features and is up to code is also important before you list your home for sale, as these things will attract potential buyers. You can find more winter home safety tips on the Christine Norcross & Partners website.
If you are interested in buying or selling a home in the Wellesley real estate market, contact Christine Norcross at 781-929-4994. You can also connect with us on Facebook for more home maintenance, selling and buying tips.
Image courtesy of Gilley Walker/Flickr.
Comments(0)