Just as regular cleaning and decluttering helps to keep your home safe, there are some simple things that you, as a responsible homeowner, should tackle to ensure the safety of all who enter your home. Right now, at the start of the fall season, is a good time to take care of these important home maintenance tasks.

Change Batteries in Smoke Detectors

Start by changing all the batteries in your smoke detectors. This is easy with the help of a ladder and someone holding that ladder while you remove the cover of the smoke detector, then remove the current batteries and replace them with fresh batteries.

Most smoke detectors will allow you to test the sound the smoke detector will emit in case of a fire. Be sure to test each smoke detector.

Change Air Filters

Air conditioning/heating filters need to be changed periodically – and they are so simple to change. Simply pick up the size of your current filter from your local hardware store, then out with the old and in with the new. 

New filters will ensure that the air in your home is good and that your heating and air conditioning units are working effectively. Clogged and dirty filters will affect your heating and air conditioning units and could create a potential risk for your family.

Clean Dryer Vent

A simple task that needs to be completed annually is making sure your dryer vent is free and clear of lint. Dryer lint buildup is the leading cause of home fires. It’s not enough to just clean the lint filter after every use. Be sure to clean the dryer exhaust vent, hose and lint filter trap, especially if your dryer has been running hot or taking longer than usual to dry clothes.

You’ll want to clean it at least once a year. You can clean this yourself with a special dryer vent cleaning kit or hire a professional. While you’re at it, vacuum any lint that has accumulated on your walls.

Scrub the Ventilation Hood

Like the dryer vent, your stove’s ventilation hood can be a fire hazard. Ventilation hoods accumulate grease which is highly flammable. Removing the filters and soaking them in soap and water, then giving them a scrub will eliminate the grease.

Remember to clean the ventilation hood along with the filters to remove any dirt and grease. Cleaning your ventilation hood will also help remove any odors or bacteria that may have accumulated from cooking.

Check Pool Safety

If you have a pool, check areas around the pool. Reviewing your pool fence area to make sure the fence does not have damage or open areas which could allow for pets and children to enter. Drowning is common where pools are concerned and making sure the fence is secure is important.

Additionally, checking the latches or replacing them with self-closing latches will also ensure the area is safe. Be sure to always secure basket filter covers to minimize any potential risk to visitors to your home.

Schedule Maintenance Tasks

Tracking all your home maintenance can be challenging and often times hard to remember when you last performed the task. But using your own calendaring system or a home maintenance tool that electronically sends you notifications can help you stay on top of all the tasks needed to keep your home safe.

With these simple tips you can get your home in tip-top shape while also protecting it and your family from any potential hazards. These tips will also keep your home running smoothly creating efficiencies of your equipment, which helps to keep your energy bills manageable. 

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Elizabeth Dodson is the co-founder of HomeZada, a cloud-based home improvement and organizational software tool. HomeZada strives to educate and provide resources for homeowners in all areas of home management, including home improvement projects, maintenance, inventory, property information, and property value.

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Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash

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