Top Tips to Keep Your Home Safe

Top Tips to Keep Your Home Safe

Regular maintenance and inspections are required to keep your home and family safe. Some things need to be checked on a monthly basis, while others only need to be checked once a year.

Here are the top tips to keep your home safe that you should incorporate into your daily routine:

Smoke and Fire detectors

Choosing the correct detectors for your home is crucial. It’s also a good idea to have one on each storey of the house. The use of interconnected detectors is recommended by the Canadian governmentCanadian government. When one of them goes off, they all go off. This will come in handy if you live in a house with multiple levels. Set a reminder to check these every year on New Year’s Day as a habit.

Gas Lines

It is possible for gas lines to go uncapped or unplugged. When natural gas appliances are replaced or uninstalled, this can happen. Gas pipes that aren’t capped are a severe concern. They have the potential to allow natural gas to flow into the house, which is quite dangerous. Natural gas is not dangerous or poisonous, although it is extremely combustible. Call a certified gas fitter or heating professional if you have an open gas line. Check out ATCO’s website for further information.

Stairs and Steps

Make sure stairwells are well-lit and clutter-free. On both sides of the stairwell, ensure that a proper handrail or bannister is placed. If there is carpet or runners, look for any loose patches that could cause tripping or falling.

Water Pipes and Hoses

Water pipes and hoses should be checked on a regular basis. Water hose ruptures, leaky supply lines, and frozen pipes can all result in a lot of damage. Not to mention the financial costs of repairing water damage. To avoid returning home you a flooded home while on vacation, make sure to turn off the main water valve.

Furnace Maintenance

The furnace area, in general, should be clutter-free. This means that the area surrounding the furnace should be at least two feet free. Paint, rags, dust, and papers should not be kept near the furnace since they are flammable. Depending on the amount of build-up, replace the furnace filter every one to three months. Allowing dust and bacteria to accumulate in the filter can result in poor indoor air quality. Those who suffer from respiratory disorders such as asthma are at risk.

Making sure the house is secure is an important element of being a responsible homeowner. The home safety recommendations listed above will help you live in a safer environment. If repairs are required, it is critical that they be completed as soon as possible. Later could mean high repair costs or possibly a disaster like floods, fire, or worse!