As the leaves turn and the temperatures drop, our homes become our cozy havens. But with the changing seasons come unique safety risks. From heating hazards to holiday fire dangers, a little preparation goes a long way. We’ve compiled this checklist to ensure your home is safe and sound for the fall and winter months.

Fire Safety and Heating

Cold weather means you’re most likely turning up the heat, which is the leading cause of winter home fires. Preparation is key to prevention.

• Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Replace batteries and ensure you have a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home.
• Inspect Your Heating System: Schedule an annual inspection and service your furnace, boiler, or heat pump by a qualified technician. 
• Clean Your Fireplace and Chimneys: Have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected before the first use of the season to remove creosote buildup.

Plumbing and Water Damage 

Cold temperatures can lead to burst pipes, resulting in expensive damage and repairs to your plumbing systems.

• Insulate Exposed Pipes: Wrap pipes in crawl spaces, attics, and garages with foam insulation or heat tape.
• Disconnect Hoses: Remove all garden hoses from outdoor faucets. Trapped water can freeze and cause the spigot to burst. Cover spigots to prevent cold air from entering for extra security.
• Prevent Frozen Pipes Indoors: If temperatures are predicted to be extremely low, keep cabinet doors open under your sinks to allow warmer air to circulate the pipes and let a few faucets drip slightly to relieve pressure in the pipes

PRO TIP: Locate your main water shut-off valve in the event of a burst pipe. This can save you from severe damage!

Exterior Preparations

Preparing the outside of your home, walkways, and yard is vital for safety and to prevent damage from storms. 

• Clean Your Gutters and Check Your Roof: Before winter storms hit, remove all leaves and debris from your gutters and downspouts. This is crucial to prevent clogging, which can lead to water leaking into your home. While you're at it, inspect your roof for any loose or damaged shingles and repair them immediately to avoid costly water damage later.
• Trim Trees and Shrubs: Cut back any dead or weak tree branches that could fall onto your roof or power lines during a storm. 
• Secure Outdoor Items: Store any patio furniture, grills, toys, and decorations that could become projectiles in high winds. 

Holiday and Electrical Safety

While decorating for the holidays is fun, faulty lights and overloaded outlets can pose serious fire risks. 

• Check Holiday Lights: Before installing, inspect strings of lights for frayed wires, broken sockets, or loose connections, and discard any damaged strands. Avoid plugging too many cords into a single outlet or extension cord. PRO TIP: Utilize power strips with a surge protector. 
• Mind Your Tree: If you have a live Christmas tree, keep it well-watered and keep it at least three feet from any heat source. A dry tree is a major fire risk. 
• Candles: If using decorative candles, never leave them unattended. Place them on stable, non-flammable surfaces away from curtains and decorations. PRO TIP: Consider switching to battery-operated candles for a safer alternative.

Taking the time to work through this checklist will provide you with peace of mind and help keep your home safe all season long. Contact your trusted Helen Adams Realty agent if you need any vendor recommendations. Enjoy the cozy months ahead!