Year-round Seasonal Home Safety Checklist

 

Seasonal home safety checklist

(NC) Having your own home comes with many perks from privacy, to added space, to your own unique décor. But one thing’s for sure – it takes some work to keep the place organized and safe.

To help keep your home running smoothly, here’s when to tackle some important home safety tasks.

Winter wonderland

• Look for bare patches on your roof after a snowfall to see if your roof or attic insulation may need repair.
• Check for water leaks indoors during minor thaws to get ahead of water damage and mould.
• Test for high levels of radon gas in your home with a simple DIY test, or call in a pro.
• Make sure important documents are stored off the floor and not in the basement ahead of spring thaws and floods.

Spring showers

• Refresh your emergency kit if needed, and add any season-specific items, such as a battery-operated fan if you lose air conditioning in a summer power outage.
• Angle your downspouts away from your home to prevent flood damage.
• Consider adding a sump pump with backup power or reverse-flow valves in basement drains.
• Clear gutters and debris left over from winter storms and do time-sensitive repairs.
• Inspect your roof and repair any damage.
• Consider applying sealant around basement windows and at the base of exterior doors.
• Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms each spring and fall.

Sunny summer

• Do more extensive safety updates in summer when weather is clear, such as fixing a leaky foundation.
• Ensure that your landscaping is graded to slope away from your home.
• Trim any trees or bushes that are getting close to power lines.
• Check your ventilation by holding a tissue up to your bathroom fan – the suction should cause it to noticeably flutter.
• Run a dehumidifier to prevent mould if you live in a humid place or detect a musty smell.

Fall fixes

• Winterize or drain outdoor faucets and pipes ahead of cold weather to avoid frozen, burst pipes.
• Check and replace weatherstripping to ensure your home is protected from the elements.
• Clear your eaves-troughs and downspouts of leaves and debris.
• Refresh your emergency kit with supplies to last you for several days.
• Confirm that your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are in good working order and replace the backup batteries.

Whatever the season, make sure you know the risks in your area so you can properly prepare your home for them. Do you live near a river that floods in your area every spring? Or, are you at risk for wildfires in summer? Are you likely to face severe winter storms or power outages in winter? A little preparation, can help you be ready for just about anything.

Finding your Dream Home has never been this easy!

Find out about your regional risks and learn more safety tips at getprepared.ca

Protect your home and personal safety while you’re away

 

Thinking of real estate?

Protect your home and personal safety while you’re away

(NC) After a couple of months cooped up indoors, many of us are ready to get on the move. Whether we’re visiting friends and family or simply seeking warmer temperatures, here are some tips to keep yourself, your loved ones and your home safe while you’re away.

Plan for your mail
A pile of packages outside your door is a clear sign to would-be thieves that no one is home. Ask a trusted neighbour to collect it or get Canada Post to hold your mail until you return. Place a temporary pause on any newspaper subscriptions you have. This gives you peace of mind knowing that nothing will pile up while you’re gone.

Add entryway cameras
Installing cameras at your front and back entrances allows you to easily check in on what’s happening outside your home. For a simple and effective setup, look for an all-in-one option like Telus SmartHome Security, which includes 24/7 monitoring and real-time alerts so you know if something’s up, as well as automation for lights, heating and devices. Security signs on your front lawn and cameras are also known to deter criminals since they don’t want to risk exposure and getting caught.

Time your lights
It’s obvious no one’s home when the lights don’t turn on for hours or days on end, especially in the dark winter months. Set up your most-used lights on timers to go on and off at typical times of day so no one can tell you’re not there.

Try wearable tech
Apart from the home, consider upgrading your family’s personal safety with new technology woven into wearable devices. Telus SmartWear Security for instance includes wearable personal safety devices disguised as stylish necklaces, bracelets and keychains with a hidden panic button that will share your location and can instantly connect you with contacts or help dispatch emergency services with a double click.

Revisit your social media approach
You may love to post about special occasions on social media, but it’s important to be careful of how much you share and when. Before you depart, look through your feed for any posts that give out personal information about your habits and your home – even a street name or house number. Consider waiting until you get home to post about vacation activities, and be sure to disable geotagging in your settings.