Whether your town is on lockdown or you’re simply practicing social distancing, you may find yourself at home a lot more often this spring season due to the worldwide spread of COVID-19. But being home doesn’t mean your life is on pause; it may mean you divert your attention to at-home projects and things you’ve been meaning to do around the home. To make the most of your spring cleaning or home tune up this season, consider the following home improvement tips:
- Replace the batteries in your smoke detector.
- Replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector as well.
- Review disaster drills in your particular town or city. They may differ given the current pandemic situation.
- Add non-slip grips to rugs and mats if they are located on slick surfaces both inside and outside.
- Clear all drains and gutters of debris.
- Check your fire extinguisher to ensure it is still in good working order.
- Buy a fire extinguisher if you don’t have one or just to have another spare.
- Inspect the location of electrical cords. Electrical cords should never be under rugs or around door frames as they pose a serious risk of causing a slip and fall accident.
- Inspect your fences for any kind of damage that may have occurred over winter.
- Update the passcode on your security alarm.
- Tighten window locks if they have become loosened or replace if damaged.
- Read all cleaning product safety labels. Some cleaners are toxic to humans and animals and require proper ventilation.
- Inspect your home for mold that may have accumulated in rooms with added moisture, especially bathrooms and laundry rooms.
- Conduct an audit of your emergency preparedness kit.
- Deep clean your dryer. Lint accumulation is a potential fire hazard.
- Disinfect your home to kill bacteria and viruses and keep bugs at bay.Begin with areas that get a lot of foot traffic and are commonly touched areas. Toys, games, and electronics should also be disinfected.
- Check all window and door screens as springtime also means pests are out and about.
- Create a fire drill for you and your family.
- Vacuum around the gas furnace to remove any combustible items that may have migrated in its vicinity.
- Examine your water heater for any kind of leak or corrosion.
- Repair any cracks and uneven surfaces to prevent tripping.
- Inspect lightbulbs to ensure they are following the recommended wattage. Consider switching to LED bulbs to reduce energy use and heat.
- Make sure all lawn equipment is tuned up prior to using to prevent damage to the equipment and injury.
- Go green! Replacing paper towels with rags and composing are easy switches that can help reduce waste in your home.
- Prune trees and shrubs. Storms can cause branches to snap, possibly causing damage to your home or car. Prevent it altogether by pruning before the next storm.
Whether you’ve decided to improve your home or simply tidy up, these 25 home improvement safety tips can help guide you along the way. Stay safe, stay inside, and use this time as an opportunity to improve your home and safety for the better!
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