Keeping your home up and running can feel like a full-time job. In between laundry, cooking, cleaning, and keeping up with life in general, keeping up with the smoke detector can fall pretty low on the list. But if an emergency, you’ll wish you had known how to perform a home safety check-up.
Remembering to do a few safety check-ups can easily slip your mind, so consider this your reminder on how and what to check up on in your home. You should be checking up on these things once a month or so. That may seem like a lot, but it can save you time and money in the long run.
Follow these steps and you’ll know how to perform a home safety check-up in no time:
Test Smoke Detectors
First of all, test both your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You want to make sure that there’s nothing wrong with them and that the batteries are still alive. A few minutes out of your day could protect you and your loved ones from fires and poisoning.
Check Flashlights and Batteries
In the emergency kit you (hopefully) have for your home, there should be a flashlight or two. Take a few minutes to make sure that the flashlights and extra batteries you packed are still working. It’s not a bad time to make sure that the rest of your kit is holding up, too!
Inspect Fire Extinguishers
Make sure you can easily access your fire extinguisher, and that the locking pin is intact and the tamper seal has not been broken. Check out the extinguisher itself for signs of corrosion or leakage. Lastly, take a look at the pressure gauge to make sure that it is still in the operable position.
Check Switches and Outlets
If your switches or outlets are not working, it could be bad news for your home. Faulty wiring is a big fire hazard, and not working is just one of the signs of wiring gone wrong. If the switch or outlet is warm, discolored, or noisy, then there’s probably something wrong with your electric system. Have a professional come check it out and make any necessary repairs.
Replace Frayed Cords
Lastly, take a look at your electric cords and make sure that they are all still looking good. Frayed cords are a major fire hazard, especially depending on their location. When cords are smushed underneath furniture or behind the curtains are dangerous. Look around about once a month to make sure that’s not the case for your wires. If cords have frayed, replace them as quickly as possible.
Knowing how to perform a home safety check-up could make all the difference in preventing hazards from occurring in your home. Keep your home, family, and possessions safe by performing a comprehensive home safety check-up once a month. Want to learn more about protecting your home and family? Contact our Sonitrol security specialists today.