Home Guide
HOME MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY TIPS
Your home is one of your most important investments. By keeping it properly maintained in every season, you can help reduce the risk of a loss and ensure the safety and well-being of your friends and family.
Please review the following information and familiarize yourself with these important inspection and safety tips.
Winter Maintenance
Keep the chill out and safely enjoy the season
Winter weather can present unexpected risks to your home. Please take a moment to review this helpful winter home maintenance checklist so you can protect your investment.
- Check your outlets and all electrical holiday decorations for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose connections. Do not overload the outlet, extension cords or surge protectors.
- Check and clean your heating system to make sure it is in good working condition for the winter months. This is generally a job best performed by a professional.
- Have adequate fuel reserves on hand since fuel carriers might not be able to refuel for several days during severe weather.
- Close off and lower the temperature in unneeded rooms. Make sure that there is sufficient heat to prevent the freezing of water pipes.
- Insulate pipes that pass through unheated areas. Your home’s crawl space and attic are two such areas.
- Clean and/or replace your furnace filter before the heating season begins.
- Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. This prevents lint from accumulating and decreases the risk of fire.
- Service snow removal equipment and have rock salt on hand to melt ice on walkways.
- Set the heat in your home no lower than 55 degrees.
- Remove screens from windows and install storm windows.
- Protect your roof against heavy snow and ice loads. Keep gutters clean and roof drains opened.
- Inspect washing machine hoses periodically and replace hoses that show signs of leaking.
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Spring maintenance
Spring ahead with our helpful home maintenance tips
Spring is the perfect time to prepare your home for warmer weather. Please take a moment to review this important spring home maintenance checklist.
- Inspect your smoke detectors. Make sure that there is one on each floor of your home. Test them and change the battery every three months or as needed.
- Check the light bulbs in all your fixtures to be sure that they are the correct wattage as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Replace all high-intensity bulbs (such as halogen) with fluorescent bulbs that don’t produce as much heat.
- Check your electrical outlets for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose fitting plugs. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power service.
- Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible that is filled and ready for operation.
- Have your air conditioning system inspected by a professional as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Check for damage to your roof, and clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating.
- Check your water heater for leaks and corrosion.
- Clean and/or replace your furnace filter.
- Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust, and pieces of material or cloth.
- In your yard, remove all dead trees and keep healthy trees and bushes trimmed and away from utility wires.
- Safely store oil and gas for lawn equipment and tools in a vented, locked area.
- Repair driveway and walkways that are cracked, broken or uneven to provide a level walking surface.
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Summer Maintenance
Enjoy longer days and warmer nights while protecting your investment
As temperatures begin to rise, reduce the risk of a loss to your home and ensure the safety and well-being of your family and friends. Please take a moment to review this important summer home maintenance checklist.
- Check deck or patio for possible deterioration and safety hazards such as loose boards and protruding nails.
- Check electrical outlets for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose fitting plugs. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power service.
- Check all windows and door locks to ensure correct functioning. Make sure all locks are secure and there are no holes in any of the screens.
- Inspect recreational equipment for proper operation and possible dangers (e.g., are swingsets secure with no rusty bolts?).
- Carefully inspect your toilet. Look for erosion of plastic floater valves, and check all pipe connections.
- Clean and/or replace furnace filter.
- Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust and pieces of material.
- Inspect washing machine hoses periodically and replace hoses that show signs of leaking.
- Have roof inspected by a professional once every few years to identify potential leaks.
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Fall maintenance
Prepare your home for cooler days ahead
After the relaxation of the summer months, it’s time to prepare your home for the cooler days ahead. Please take a moment to review this important fall maintenance checklist.
- Have your furnace cleaned and inspected by a qualified technician annually.
- Keep all flammable materials, including all lawn and power equipment, away from water heaters and wiring in the basement, utility rooms and garage.
- Insulate exposed water pipes in areas exposed to cold temperatures and turn up the thermostat during extra cold periods.
- Check for damage to your roof, and clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating. This is especially important during the fall season to keep leaves from building up in gutters.
- Check the caulking around doors and windows for deterioration.
- Check caulking around showers, bathtubs, sinks and toilet base, and make repairs as needed.
- Have your chimney cleaned and maintained annually by a professional.
- Clean and/or replace your furnace filter.
- Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust, and pieces of material or cloth.
- Check your electrical outlets for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose fitting plugs. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power service.
- Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible that is filled and ready for operation.
- Inspect your smoke detectors. Make sure that there is one on each floor of your home. Test them and change the battery every three months or as needed.
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Vacation Checklist
A Vacation is your time to relax and enjoy life
Make sure that while you are enjoying your vacation, your home is protected. Please take a moment to review this helpful vacation checklist before you pack your bags.
- Make sure all electrical appliances are turned off.
- Clean the refrigerator of all perishable foods and take out the garbage.
- Lock all windows and doors.
- Call and have the newspaper and mail held until your return or have them picked up by a trusted neighbor.
- Arrange to have your lawn mowed (or snow shoveled) while you’re away. Ask a neighbor to set out your trash on collection day and then retrieve empty cans and recycling bins the same day.
- Let a trusted neighbor know you will be away and have them keep an eye on your home for you. It’s a good idea to leave your vacation address and telephone number with a neighbor so you can be reached in case of an emergency.
- Never leave your house key hidden outside your home.
- Set timers on interior lights.
- Make sure to unplug televisions, computers and appliances that are susceptible to lightning and power surges.
- Advise your alarm company and local police if you will be gone for an extended vacation.
- Store jewelry and valuable papers in a safe deposit box.
- Arrange for the care of pets.
- Set the heating system to provide minimum heat of 55 degrees.
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Swimming Pool Safety and Maintenance
Protect your friends and family as you beat the heat
As warm weather approaches, a pool is the perfect place to relax and cool down. Please take a moment to review this helpful swimming pool safety and maintenance checklist.
- Maintain secure fencing and a locked entrance around the pool and deck area to prevent access when adequate supervision is not available.
- Make sure there is adequate lifesaving equipment in the pool area, including life preservers and a shepherd’s hook.
- Keep chemicals safely stored away from the pool area. Follow all storage and usage instructions recommended by the manufacturer.
- Never leave a child unattended in the water or pool area.
- Inspect the liner periodically. Rips and tears can appear undetected at the top of the lining.
- Check for signs of wear and tear in areas where pipes or other items may have penetrated the liner (e.g., skimmers, hoses, etc.).
- For above ground pools, check metal supports for rust or deterioration. These may indicate areas where the pool could rupture or a person could be injured.
- Check the deck for safety hazards (e.g., protruding nails, loose boards, etc.).
- Keep your pool maintained and seasonably prepped. Be sure to lower the water level and keep the pool covered in the winter months.
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