Winter time is the perfect season to curl up on the couch and count your blessings. And while you’re enjoying the comfort and safety of your home, perhaps you should think of ways to keep the good times rolling…
Here are some action steps you can take to prepare your home for another year of domestic bliss.
Double check all machines.
According to This personal injury attorney companies, faulty exercise equipment is often blamed for fitness mishaps. in fact, 460,000 people were injured annually after using a treadmill and other exercise equipment.
Go to your house and check all the machines filling it. From washing machines to refrigerators to your HVAC system. Make a list and record the last time they had a maintenance check. Is every machine working properly?
Have you ever heard some questionable noise coming from your HVAC? If you can’t remember the last time your machine performed a setup, it is most likely usable. A little preventive maintenance can extend the life of your engine and help you get many more years out of it.
Protection against falls.
The CDC states that in just one year, 2.8 million people were injured for falling at home. Even if you’re not at the age where falls become life-or-death health hazards, they can still be damaging and take time to recover from. If you frequently trip over rugs or other types of flooring, consider replacing them. A low coffee table placed in an awkward space can create obstacles to movement within your home.
Use this time to reevaluate their position as well. Place grab bars in toilets and washrooms and railings along stairs. Make sure every area of your home has sufficient lighting for easy navigation.
Despite these improvements, if you still fall or trip, get your eyes checked. A visit to your family doctor may reveal balance problems. Resolving it should be a priority.
Get to know your electrical system.
Are any of your cables starting to look old or frayed? Is the outlet hot to the touch? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, have an electrician check it. You may have a cable or outlet that needs to be replaced. Left unchecked, old or damaged cables can become a fire hazard. Over a 4 year period, the US fire department responded 45,210 house fires which started due to an electrical malfunction.
To keep the outlet from overloading, experts recommend that you only plug one high-wattage machine into the outlet at a time. Dust that collects on cables can also be a fire hazard. So, while you’re walking around the house with your duster duster, include cords and electrical outlets in your list of dust-infested items.
Install a smoke detector.
If your house or apartment is not equipped with smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, install one on every floor of the house and monitors in every room. When finished, test each monitor to ensure it is working properly.
And repeat the above test every month. In addition, you and your family should know whose number to call if your detector sounds an alarm.
Have an emergency kit in your home.
How would you do if a hurricane hit your area, causing a power outage and making it impossible to go to the grocery store? Do you have candles and flashlights within easy reach? How about having enough bottled water and non-perishable food in your house for a few days? Knowing what extreme weather conditions are common in your area can help you prepare properly.
Build your emergency kit based on expert-approved checklists, such as found at FEMA. They suggest keeping the item for 3 days canned or dry food that won’t need to be replaced for a year, at least. And if you have children or elderly members in your family, be sure to think about and include items specific to their needs.
When it comes to security issues, it pays extra caution. Even if you find out that nothing is wrong, you will gain peace of mind and the ability to rest easy at night. What better way to start new yearthen to know that your home is safe on all fronts?
