Summer Season: Home Maintenance and Safety Checklist

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming or something like that anyways. It’s summertime in Norfolk County and while you may be planning to go on vacation, don’t forget to complete your monthly home maintenance tasks either. Why do small regular maintenance tasks matter? Well it’s important to stay on top of things or else you’ll be replacing items before their time due to a failure (things break no matter what, slow down the process by doing regular checks) or danger might barge in. 

We keep it short and simple because we know that life is not empty. This checklist below is a useful reminder to you as well. Home security tips included. Be active and take small steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. Sleep well, take steps to provide a safe home for your family.

Home Maintenance Checklist you need:

1. Home First-Aid Kit.

Whether you are having an indoor or outdoor activity, you might get into small accidents. That’s why it is very important to have a first-aid kit at home. 

Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest. Check the kit regularly and check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents.

2.  Change smoke detector batteries

Change the smoke batteries every 6 months and the smoke alarms every 10 years. When somebody is smoking or there is smoke inside the house the detector is very helpful, it warns you ahead of the danger that might cause harm to anyone. 

3. Inspect and repair outdoor play equipment

Everyone is looking forward to fresh air and outdoor activities. Make sure young children can play outdoors safely. Pay attention to external equipment and make sure they are safe.

Also check for safety hazards.

4. Reorganize kitchen

Think about how your kitchen will be used depending on the season. This is a great time to adapt your kitchen team for changing seasons and activities. Do you have appliances that you use more in winter and vice versa in summer? Move them accordingly. Creating a station can also be a good idea. Prepare snacks and lunches for children. Make a frozen coffee or smoothie station that is easy to taste in the summer.

5. Give your home a good dusting

The windows are open and the house is blowing with the onset of summer.It can be used in winter to keep dust and microscopic dust mites away from home. Don’t let that happen. Clean the house well. Clean furniture, tiles, doors, sills and ceiling fans.Give your home that fresh, clean and open feeling that everyone loves for summer.

6. Remove mold and mildew on your home’s exterior

Homeowners who take appropriate precautions will likely never have to deal with these uninvited houseguests in the first place. 

The truth is, fungus can be a common problem for homes in just about any climate. Outside, keep foundation drains free of debris; repair any roof leaks or wind damage; and keep your gutters clean. Inside the home, use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air; change your furnace and air conditioning filters regularly; be careful when you use carpet cleaning services (always check for mold growth after cleaning); and consider installing an indoor air quality system that can detect and control volatile organic compounds.

Maintaining a clean, dry indoor environment and following the steps in this narrative can help keep your home free of mold or mildew.

7. Keep a basket filled with extra summer necessities near your front door.

 Don’t let the sun get you down!

Make sure your family is equipped to handle any situation with a basket full of sunscreen, insect spray, hats and caps. Have this basket at your front door so that as everyone heads outside, they can grab whatever they need without running around looking for it.

8. Prune shrubs around AC unit

Maintaining proper air flow around your air conditioning unit is imperative for your unit’s performance.

Use these tips and recommendations for landscaping around your AC unit.

1) Avoid planting trees or shrubs that exceed 6 feet tall within 10 feet of the air conditioning unit. Planting too close to the AC unit can block the airflow, which can cause your system to work harder and be less efficient.

2) Keep the area around your AC unit clear of all debris, including toys, leaves and other yard waste. This helps keep your system clean and free of obstructions.

9. Get your refrigerator in tip-top shape for summer

 Refrigerators are like people: They were born to work hard, and they want to keep working hard.

But sometimes, we need to help them out. After all, if you don’t take care of your fridge, who will?

It’s important to keep your refrigerator in tip-top shape for energy efficiency and to keep this hard-running appliance working in top form. Here are 5 tips for how to do just that.

  1. Clean the coils
  2. Defrost regularly
  3. Replace the door gaskets
  4. Check for leaks
  5. Keep food organized

For your convenience, we have created a comprehensive home maintenance checklist to help you keep tabs on all of the little tasks that need doing. Don’t assume that someone else will do it. Take charge and tackle some of the issues on your own. We have found that the more we maintain our home, the less that has to be done by others when we move out. It will also lessen your stress knowing you have done some of the work on your own and everything is safe. 

Home Maintenance Checklist:

* First Aid Kit

* Smoke Detector:

  • Batteries
  • Detector Device

* Inspect and Repair:

  • Outdoor play equipments
  • Other external equipments

* Reorganize kitchen

  • Appliances
  • Cabinets
  • Supplies

* A good dusting:

  • Windows
  • Furnitures

* Remove dirt

  • Molds
  • Mildew
  • Other fungus externally

* Basket with necessities:

  • Sunscreen
  • Insect spray
  • Cats/caps
  • Bottled water
  • Keys

* Prune shrubs around AC unit outdoor

* Let your refrigerator in tip-top shape

  • Clean the coils
  • Defrost regularly
  • Replace the door gaskets
  • Check for leaks
  • Keep food organized