Safeguard your home by implementing simple and preventative measures in your home.
By implementing some simple maintenance of your home, you are not only making sure your household is running more efficiently which will save you money but also making sure you household is safe. There is much to be responsible for when you are a homeowner, and it can become overwhelming. Often times, this can make for the sweeping of necessary maintenance under the rug. However, this can be dangerous, putting your family, and potentially even your neighbors in unnecessary danger.
There are some simple steps you can take to make your home as safe as possible. If you are like many, you may unknowingly be putting yourself in harms way, which can be easily avoided by some simple preventative measures. This article is not meant to evoke fear, but supply a foundation of knowledge that will empower you to make your home as safe as possible.
A good way to get started is by making sure you read the owners manuals to all of your appliances. Reading through the owner’s manual of your furnace or water heater will give you the knowledge to know what to do in an emergency or what is needed for maintenance. Cataloging all of your owner’s manuals and keeping them all organized in one spot is recommended. Along with becoming familiar with your owner’s manuals, you also should pay close attention to all warning stickers. Following these instructions is a good first step in preventing dangerous situations from occurring.
Preventative Measures Will Keep You Safe
One element in your home that is often overlooked and can present extreme danger is your water heater. As mentioned you should pay attention to all warning stickers, and you water heater should have a few. One in particular you should pay specific attention to is in regards to the pressure release valve. It is important to annually lift and release the lever to ensure that the lever/valve is in working order, and to release any built up pressure. A water heater that has built up pressure that goes unreleased can cause extreme damage.
Outlets are another element in your home that you need to pay attention to. All outlets should be grounded. If you are unsure about if your outlets are grounded, a simple testing device can be purchased at any hardware store. Along with making sure all the outlets in your home are grounded, you also need to make sure that any cord you plug into an outlet snugly fits and does not come loose or fall out. If plugs easily fall out of your outlets you risk sparks occurring, which can lead to an electrical fire.
Smoke/carbon monoxide detectors are an obvious element of home protection that need to be taken seriously and tested often. Testing your smoke detectors should happen twice a year. There are sprays or cans of smoke that can be purchased at any hardware store that are recommended for the testing smoke detectors. Also, making sure you have enough smoke detectors and that they are placed in every room is a necessary detail that is often overlooked. Strategically placing carbon monoxide detectors is just as important as smoke detectors, and it is recommended to implement the use of dual detectors that offer both smoke and carbon monoxide detection in one model. Early detection of carbon monoxide is imperative for a safe escape. Therefore, placing carbon monoxide detectors by your furnace and vents is recommended.
Having an overall awareness of your home is important. Preventing small things from evolving to big things that can cause danger and be exceptionally expensive is crucial when you are a homeowner. This can be resolved by just being aware. Next time you do laundry, or are in your basement take a look at your surroundings. For example, if you see a pipe that may have a small drip, or has calcified stalactites hanging from it, then it is in need of replacement. Being proactive instead of reactive will save you a lot of unnecessary expenses, and more importantly promote safety.
