It’s a good idea to get in the habit of regular maintenance of your home each season of the year.  By checking things out ahead of time, you could save money by avoiding costly repairs.  Our houses don’t take care of themselves; it’s up to us to do it.  Some locations need more preventative measures than others; those who live in colder climates may be required to think of some things that we in warmer regions don’t have to do.  Regardless of where we live, it’s important to do these things to ensure the safety of our families.  Here are some ideas:

• Check all window and door locks for proper operation; all exterior doors should have deadbolt locks.
• Make sure there are working nightlights at the top and bottom of all stairs; don’t leave items on the stairs.
• Have a professional check your heating system every year.
• Check your home for water leaks.
• Make sure that the caulking around your bathroom fixtures is adequate to prevent water from seeping into the sub-flooring.
• Wrap pipes for insulation from freezing.
• Replace your furnace filter once yearly.
• Run all gas-powered lawn equipment until the fuel is gone.
• Put away garden hose and other yard equipment.
• Test your emergency generator.
• Have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean the flues and check your fireplace damper.
• Remove bird nests from chimney flues and outdoor electrical fixtures.
• Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and check batteries.
• Have a fire escape plan for your family.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Consider hiring a professional to do any inspections, etc. on your roof
• Make sure the caulking around doors and windows is adequate to reduce heat/cooling loss.
• Winterize boats and recreational vehicles before storing them.

You may want to make a checklist to use each season, and add to it as you think of something we may have missed.  Have your home ready for a warm, cozy fall and winter. 

Source: State Farm Insurance