5 Home Safety Tips For A Safe & Enjoyable Fall

 

With every season comes a new set of home maintenance tasks and safety concerns, and taking the time to prepare your home for fall can help you stay cozy, safe, and stress-free all season. Here are five helpful tips for an awesome autumn.

1. Clear your walkways.
If your home is surrounded by trees or shrubs, accumulating fallen leaves can quickly create a slipping hazard on sidewalks, porches, and driveways. It’s important to sweep away fallen leaves regularly, especially if you plan to welcome visitors or trick-or-treaters to your home.

2. Service your HVAC system.
After a long summer of cranking the A.C., you need to change your air filter. Now is a great time to make the swap, before the weather really cools down. You may also want to call your local HVAC professional for a yearly tune-up.

3. Clean gutters and downspouts.
Clogged gutters can lead to water damage down the road. Make sure gutters are free-flowing, and check that all downspouts are directing water away from your foundation.

4. Be prepared for weather emergencies.
Now is a great time to stock up on essentials, like flashlights, batteries, blankets, water, and non-perishable food items. You never know when an early fall storm could blow in.

5. Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Families spend more time indoors during the fall and winter, so it’s important to make sure alarms are working properly. Replace batteries annually and consider testing for indoor air pollutants like radon or VOCs.

    Industry insights from National Property Inspections.