The temperature outside is warming up, flowers are blooming and the grass is growing. It can only mean one thing – spring is finally here! It’s that time of year when most people like to take some time to clean out their homes and yards in order to start fresh for the summer. While you may be more focused on pulling weeds in your garden or sorting through your summer clothes, we’ve got a few spring cleaning tips that will help keep you, and your home, safe for another year.
Clean Out Your Gutters
Gutters have a tendency to fill up over the winter. Falling leaves and debris from winter storms can build up and be left unchecked for months. After all, who wants to clean gutters in the dead of winter? Now that it’s warm outside, take some time to remove all the debris and ensure your gutters are clear. Clean gutters will protect your home from water damage during summer rain storms, and will also keep more bugs away, protecting from infestation.
Check Smoke and Carbon Dioxide Detector Batteries
We always assume that we’ll hear the notification beeps as batteries begin to die, but it’s possible that these could go unnoticed, leaving you at risk. Take a few minutes to check smoke detector batteries and ensure they’re ready to do their job in the event that a fire does start.
Check Your Fire Extinguisher
As most people leave their fire extinguishers tucked away in a closet or cabinet, it’s easy to forget them. Pull them out at least once a year and check to be sure the pressure gauge is still in the green area; if it falls anywhere else, it should be replaced. Other reasons to replace a fire extinguisher would be if the hose or nozzle is cracked or blocked by debris, or if the locking pin on the handle is missing.
Ensure Electronics are Plugged into Surge Protectors
You may have acquired some new electronics in the last year. Be sure that they’re all plugged into surge protectors to prevent damage during storms. Surge protectors can prevent costly replacements or damage to your electrical wiring in your home.
Schedule Any Necessary Services or Inspections
Both your furnace and air conditioning system should be inspected annually to perform regular maintenance and put a stop to larger problems forming in the future. We also advise checking the door of your electrical service panel to see if it’s time to schedule your next inspection.
While it’s impossible to guard against every unforeseen issue, by using these tips you’ll can keep your home, and your family, much safer for the coming year. For all other unforeseen issues, be sure that you have the right amount of homeowner’s insurance. If you have any questions or want to review your policy, contact one of our agents today.