Well, the weather is turning cooler and with the leaves changing colors you know they’ll soon be dropping. Have you had a chance to inspect your gutters yet? Let’s look at the last four items on our Honey-Do list to avoid those homeowner claims.

#4. Failure to Clean Fire Events!
The lint trap, vents, and surrounding areas of the clothes dryer can be a potential source for fires. Of course you already know never to leave your dryer running when you are away from home. FEMA reports about 2900 dryer fires occur yearly. Some of these fires due to the lint build up, other times birds or other small animals may make nests in the tubing creating a problem with the air flow. Promise yourself to clean the trap after each use!

#3. To Light or not to Light- that is the Question!

You’ve heard that song “Blowing In the Wind”? I just want to remind you to keep open flames from candles away from windows with a potential for drapes and curtains to be blown into contact with the candle flame. Newer technology allows for that candle light flicker with battery operated candles and eliminates the potential fire to start from an unattended flame.

#2. Sweep it Clean – Your Chimney that is!
The National Fire Protection Agency suggests an annual cleaning of your fireplace/chimney. Chimney sweeps will tell you it’s good idea to clean after burning 1-2 cords of wood. They recommend an annual inspection to catch small cracks, capping issues or animal that may have become caught in the chimney. Inspections are much less expensive than cleanings and both the inspection & cleaning are far less expensive than a home fire resulting from a maintenance issue.

#1. Exercise! –Your Water Valve that is!
I know you thought I was talking about your New Years resolution, eh? Just like health experts recommend drinking 8 glasses of water & getting in 10,000 steps a day as well, your house would love it if you exercised the “shut off valves” at least 2x a year! It’s simple: turn them off & then back on. Think about it, when you don’t stretch and move your flexibility decreases, right? Well, when you need it most – when a pipe breaks, don’t you want your shut off valves working as well? Moving parts can corrode & accumulate mineral scale causing them to become inoperable. Here a few to consider exercising: main valve, sinks, toilets, & washer. Three you may not have thought of: valve to refrigerator icemaker, cold water valve going INTO the to water heater & flush valve at the BOTTOM of your water heater. All your valves need a little TLC. Mark your valve exercise for January when we all promise to exercise a little more and June when we know we should be exercising a little more!
With just a little weekly attention you can take care of some simple tasks to reduce the potential for a home owner’s claim with your insurance company.  Enjoy your home!
Click here to read Part 1
Click here to read Part 2