While it’s impossible to fully guard against all potential accidents or catastrophes, there are various preventative measures you can undertake to safeguard your most valuable asset – your home. Most of my tips are easy to implement and considering your home is likely your most valuable asset, you’ll want to take good care of it.
1. **Familiarize Yourself with Emergency Shut-off Valves:** It’s surprising how many homeowners are unaware of the locations of their gas, water, and electricity emergency shut-off valves. Take some time to locate them and ensure everyone in your household knows their whereabouts. Expert advice: Regularly operate the water valve to prevent it from seizing up due to infrequent use.
2. **Maintain your Laundry Appliances:** Old rubber hoses in your washing machine can rupture, causing significant water damage. Consider replacing rubber hoses older than a few years with steel-belted alternatives. As for your dryer, accumulated lint can ignite and cause a fire. A simple, routine cleaning can mitigate this common risk.
3. **Employ a Friend and Plan Ahead:** Even if a high-tech security system isn’t within your budget, simulating a lived-in look for your home when you’re absent can be an effective deterrent. Use lamp timers, leave a radio on, and ask a friend to park in your driveway or clear your walkway when you’re on vacation. Remember to secure all windows and doors, particularly at the ground level.
4. **Install and Maintain Smoke Detectors:** Each floor of your home should have at least one smoke detector. Test the batteries biannually – a good reminder is to do this when adjusting your clocks for daylight saving. Smoke detectors have a lifespan of approximately 10 years. Mark the purchase date on the back of each unit for easy reference. Additionally, conduct annual tests for other potential hazards, such as radon gas.
5. **Prepare for Extreme Weather Conditions:** Depending on your geographic location, you may be susceptible to certain natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes. Consider implementing home improvements to mitigate damage from such events. In regions prone to tornadoes, a safe room could be a worthwhile investment. If that’s not feasible, assemble a home emergency kit for your family’s safety and ensure you have a stockpile of water.
6. **Secure Heavy Furniture:** To prevent toppling during an earthquake or even a minor mishap, anchor heavy furniture, such as bookshelves and televisions, to the wall.
7. **Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors:** Similar to smoke detectors, ensure carbon monoxide detectors are installed on each level of your home and regularly check their functionality.
8. **Fire Safety Measures:** Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and other high-risk areas. Make sure every family member knows its location and how to use it. Regularly check its expiration date.
By incorporating these tips, you can significantly enhance the safety of your home and protect your investment. By reducing the risk, you also reduce the chance of a claim, and of course that can help keep your home owner’s insurance premium lower.