Keeping your home and appliances in good condition and well maintained can help prevent damage and unexpected costs.
There are some things you can do to lower the chances of something going wrong. Here are seven maintenance tips for keeping your home safe.
1. Remove dead trees and foliage
Not only does this keep your yard tidy and safe, it can also help prevent damage from falling branches and reduce the risk of a fire spreading. If in doubt, professional arborists can help identify and remove dangerous branches.
Trees and foliage can look great, but can cause problems if not properly looked after.
2. Clear and clean the gutters
It’s no one’s favourite job, but it’s an important one: clearing and cleaning gutters. Keeping up to date with this onerous job is worth it though – it can help reduce rot and moisture as well as reducing the risk of a fire and gutters overflowing in wet weather.
Always remember to be safe when working on roofs and ladders.
3. Check electrical outlets
Look for loose-fitting plugs, and avoid overloading electrical outlets. Also be sure to replace any frayed or damaged cords – these can result in electrical shocks and even cause fires.
4. Test your smoke alarms
NSW Fire and Rescue recommends testing smoke alarms once a month.
With smoke often being the first warning sign of a household fire, it’s important to regularly check your fire alarms are in good working order.
Change the batteries as part of a regular routine – for example, the first day of winter and summer.
5. Remove lint and debris from dryer vents
You need to clean lint from your dryer regularly to help reduce the risk of it causing a problem with your dryer or making it catch alight.
6. Check your water heater
Inspect your water heater for damage or corrosion. A rusty water heater can leak, increasing the risk of mould and water damage, not to mention reducing the water quality in your home.
7. Inspect your foundations
It’s often not what’s inside, but outside of your home that can cause issues.
Walk around your home to check for any cracks that may indicate a structural issue or problem with your foundations. If you find something untoward, have a qualified tradesman conduct an inspection. You don’t want things getting any worse.
Source: realestate.com.au