Top 10 Tips for Homeowners
There are dozens of recommendations on a wide variety of topics that can help keep your home, your property and your family safe. Here are the ten most important tips for your consideration.
1. Keep a dry-chemical "A, B, C" fire extinguisher on each level of your home in an easily accessible location. Check the charge level at least annually.
2. Have quality fire and smoke alarm systems installed on each level of your home and replace batteries twice a year.
3. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed near the furnace or areas near sleeping quarters to provide an early alert to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in the home. Follow manufacturers instructions.
4. Kerosene heaters should be removed to prevent a fire hazard.
5. Furnace/Boiler should be serviced on an annual basis to prevent maintenance problems.
6. The dryer vent hose should be cleaned/vacuumed periodically to remove lint accumulation and reduce risk of a dryer fire.
7. Decks should be bolted to the house to avoid the possibility of a collapse.
8. Install joist hangers on the deck floor joists to prevent collapse.
9. Gutters need to be cleaned of debris to prevent water damage from ice build up and water back up. This should be done at least on an annual basis.
10. Both above and below-ground swimming pools must be completely surrounded by a fence of a height set by local and state code, with self-closing and self-latching gates to prevent unsupervised access by children.
Note: These tips are designed to help you assess the safety and maintenance of your home and property, and to offer some precautions. Application of any or all of these suggestions may not prevent damage or protect you, or your property from harm. Your knowledge of the situation, use of your common sense and compliance with local and state codes should direct your course of action. These recommendations may or may not have any relationship to your insurance coverage.