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Home Owner Maintenance Tip
We enjoy trying to make sure that your home stays your most valuable asset. One of the best ways we know to help, is to pass along some simple maintenance tips that most people don’t know could save thousands of dollars. If you have small children in your home, make sure there is one window in each bedroom that is easily opened. Children usually try and open a window instead of breaking them to escape a fire. They have been taught not to break windows, so they may hesitate to do so even in an emergency. Families need to have fire drills. Fires are scary and cause panic. By rehearsing, your family will be more prepared and less likely to waste time. Have a plan which includes a meeting place in front of the house. We recommend that every home have at least one fire extinguisher. Be aware of potential fire hazards in your home. Make sure appliances are in good operating condition and do not have frayed cords or loose plugs. Do not overuse an extension cords. Use the correct wattage bulbs in your home's light fixtures. Install a ground fault circuit interrupter or an arc fault circuit interrupter which prevents fires by cutting off faulty circuits. Cover outlets that are not in use, especially with small children. Don't let kids use appliances without supervision. Make sure lamps and night lights are not touching curtains or bedspreads. Be careful with portable heaters. Always read the directions and do not place them where pets or children could knock them over. Do not place devices too close to beds. Keep flammables at least three feet away from any heating source. Never let a child play with lighters or matches. Flammable materials should always be stored outside. Use candles safely. Keep them out of the reach of children. Candles need to be extinguished before you leave home or go to bed. Be aware of the increased hazards during the holidays. Water Christmas trees daily and inspect lights to make sure cords are not frayed. The NFPA reports that fires started by candles double in December. Check smoke alarms monthly. Install one on every level of your home and in each bedroom. Replace batteries every 6 months. Remember to keep fire extinguishers handy also. Please feel free to forward this maintenance tip to your friends and/or family members so they too can maintain their real estate investment.
Lem McSpadden and Brian McSpadden "Your Property Consultants for Life"
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