Whether we live in an apartment, a condo, a house, or something completely different, we spend a significant portion of our life there. However, it’s simple to neglect to perform all the necessary home safety maintenance in those locations, which might endanger you and your loved ones. Fortunately, by following a few basic home safety tasks, you can keep a safer and healthier family.

Keep up with regular house maintenance to avoid costly repairs or safety issues, such as changing the batteries in your smoke detectors and looking for symptoms of black mold. A thorough home safety check list is provided below to assist you in taking charge of these important topics and ensuring the security of your family.

Check Your Carbon Monoxide And Smoke Detectors.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are crucial for your protection inside your house. In fact, having a functional smoke alarm reduces your risk of dying in a house fire by 55%, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

These kinds of devices can see danger’s early warning signals and let you know if there’s a problem, but only if you take proper care of them. The US Fire Administration advises checking and changing your batteries once or twice a year. Additionally, you must replace the complete gadget every ten years (or earlier if you find problems during testing).

Do A Fire Extinguisher Check.

Although there have been nearly half as many home fires since 1980, the danger of dying in a fire has not changed. Experts advise having at least one fire extinguisher in your house to stop a fire from becoming out of control.

But once more, if your fire extinguisher isn’t properly maintained, it won’t work. You should check that it is still valid and that the safety pin is still attached at least once a year. Keep it free of damage, clean, and ensure sure the nozzle is still functional. The extinguisher must also be replaced every 10 to 12 years.

Look For Indications Of Black Mold

Bathrooms and basements are two common places in the house where black mold can be detected. Mold can cause symptoms like itchy eyes, wheezing, fever, or shortness of breath if it is present in your house. Black mold has also been linked in children to the onset of asthma.

Watch Out For Signs Of Water Damage And Termite Damage.

Your home may sustain structural damage from both termite and water damage, requiring expensive repairs or a considerable decrease in property value. Look for water damage in basements, behind and under appliances, and beneath sinks. Additionally, pay attention to your ceilings since leaks from pipes, skylights, or the roof might be so slowly moving that you won’t notice any discoloration until there is water dripping from above.

Another danger to the structural stability of your house is termites. Termites might tunnel into the wooden supports of your home and cause them to deteriorate significantly over time, especially if you reside in a less populous location. 

Check your wood flooring for any signs of “blistering,” which might indicate that there has been water damage or termite damage below. Watch out for termite droppings, which resemble tiny wood pellets, close to interior or external walls as well as mud tunnels at the base of your outside walls.

Make Use Of Sensors Or A Video Doorbell

In 2019, there were more than 1.1 million burglaries in the US, with 63% of them being residential. Many homeowners and renters are choosing to install video doorbells and window/door sensors at their homes to lower the chance of break-ins and to prevent burglars.

There are doorbell cameras available from firms that let you view who enters and exits your house, adding another layer of security against burglars. You can be up and running in a matter of hours because they are also reasonably priced and simple to install.

Schedule A Yearly Chimney Inspection

In order to remove dirt and make sure that everything is in good condition, it is essential to have your chimney professionally cleaned every year if you have one at home. Even if you don’t use your fireplace frequently, you should still get it examined once a year to make sure no animals are dwelling within.

A chimney has to be cleaned when there is more than an eighth of an inch of deposited soot, according to the Chimney Safety Institute of America. During your annual visit, a professional chimney sweep will advise you on whether or not you need a cleaning. To locate a licensed expert in your region, check the CSIA website.

Ensure That Your Home Number Can Be Seen From The Road.

Although it may not seem like the most apparent home safety advice, it is crucial to make sure that your house number can be seen from the street. First responders should be able to identify your home’s number in an emergency so they know where to go.

Install big, readable numbers in a visible location so that rescuers may find your house day or night. Use reflective material or place a light above the numbers if necessary to increase visibility.

Regardless of the safety precautions or steps you take, mistakes and accidents can still occur at home. Nevertheless, there are a number of things you can take to prepare your house and lower the possibility of significant damage or casualties.

You may also adopt a more proactive stance toward safety thanks to the continuing development of smart home technologies (such as doorbells, sensors, and DIY home security systems).