Thanksgiving, Christmas and many other holidays bring families together for many reasons. Use these holiday safety tips and touch ups for around the home as you prepare for your special get-together.
#1: Test smoke detectors (or add if missing)
We all hear about the most common safety issue every year during each holiday, stove and gas fires. Check all existing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (especially in the kitchen) on each floor of the home, replace any batteries, and add any alarms/detectors where not present already. If you have not already, consider replacing traditional smoke detectors with a smoke and carbon monoxide combination alarm.
#2: Fix or replace broken electrical outlet covers
Replacing any broken electrical outlets is a simple, cheap, and effective way to help keep your family safe. GFCI outlets should be present in all kitchens and bathrooms for over current protection and to help reduce the chance of shock hazards.
Check along each interior room for any broken outlet plates, especially low areas in the home that are accessible to children. Having a screwdriver handy, tighten any loose plates, make note of which need to be replaced, and head out to your local hardware store!
#3: Clear any tripping hazards & add safety guards along fireplaces
As family and guests arrive, it’s easy to get caught up in all of your obligations that may result in overlooking simple safety risks, such as tripping hazards. By planning ahead, clearing space, adding safety guards along fireplace masonry, and even temporarily re-organizing high traffic areas, your home will become instantly safer.
Add a shoe rack (permanently or temporarily) near the entrance door, pick up any electrical cords, Christmas lights or other items which may be tripping hazards. You never know, it may prevent an unnecessary trip to the emergency room.
#4: Check water and gas connections
The last thing any of us want to deal with on a busy holiday is fix broken items, or even worse, schedule an emergency repair. Leaks, backups, and clogs are more susceptible with higher traffic in areas, such as the restroom.
Check and tighten any fixture connections, clear the P-trap, and scan your water heater and furnace. Don’t forget the basement connections...when’s the last time you checked those anyway?
Until next time, check out www.HomeFaxInspect.com and www.NationwideHomeFax.com and be sure to always Know the Home Before You Buy™