Your 12-point home safety checklist | PEMCO

Living in the Pacific Northwest comes with its bonuses (hello, blue bird days with Mount Rainier presiding in the background), but it can come with some challenges, too. The risks associated with heavy rain and slushy roads in the winter, and wildfire or poor air quality in the summer, are no strange concepts to PNW residents. That’s why practicing prevention is so crucial. 
 
When you love prevention, you can unlock a new-found peace of mind as you free yourself up to focus on the things that matter most. One way to do this? Plan an annual “check-up” for your home and property. It’s a great way to stay ahead of potential disasters before they strike. 
 
Here is a 12-point home safety checklist that keep you and your family’s safety top of mind and empowers you to take prevention into your own hands.

Reduce risk with this annual 12-point prevention check: 

Fire 

Fire extinguisher. Make sure the dial near the nozzle registers "green" or "full" so you know it's ready to use in an emergency. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, the garage, and on every level of the house. (In case you need a refresher, here's how to use it.) 

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Whether your detectors are hard-wired as part of a security system or battery-powered, test their alarms and vacuum the grilles. Change the batteries twice a year (we recommend you do it when you adjust your clock between Standard and Daylight time) and replace alarms every 10 years. 

Chimney. If you burn more than half a cord of wood per year, get your chimney professionally cleaned to prevent buildup of creosote—a tarry flammable residue that can coat the inside of your chimney and spark a chimney fire. 

Furnace and A/C tune-up. Besides regular filter changes, your equipment needs professional preventive maintenance. See your owner's manual for frequency. Many HVAC companies offer prepaid plans, which can save you money over time. 

Dryer. Your dryer's lint screen can miss up to 25% of the lint generated during normal operation. It ends up coating the vent hose, potentially clogging it and causing dangerous heat buildup and fire risk. It doesn’t hurt to get it professionally cleaned,especially if you do a lot of laundry.  

Electrical. Heat coming from switches or sockets can be a sign of a serious wiring problem. So can sparking, a humming noise or strange smell around an outlet. Consult an electrician if you notice lights flickering or dimming or circuit breakers tripping frequently, since all can indicate overloaded circuits. While there's no set schedule for how often your home's electrical system should be inspected by a professional, it's important to reach out as soon as you suspect there might be a problem.  

Mold and water damage 

Crawlspace. During rainy weather, check that you don't have standing water or evidence of insects or rodents (damaged insulation, unpleasant musky smell) in your crawlspace. Rodent damage can cost thousands of dollars to fix, isn't covered by homeowners insurance and requires protective measures during cleanup, since some rodents (deer mice in the Northwest) can carry hantavirus, a serious infection spread through aerosolized exposure to droppings, which is heightened by sweeping and vacuuming. 

Attic. Survey your attic for leaks or signs of rodents, insects or birds. Soffit vents (the grids you see under your eaves) can allow critters to get in if they're damaged. Also, make sure the vents aren't blocked, particularly by insulation, or that your bathroom fan isn't venting directly into the attic. Improper ventilation can lead to mold, rot and even sagging roofs. 

Gutters. Make sure gutters aren't clogged with needles and leaves. Plugged gutters are worse than none at all because they can lead to damaged siding or ice dams during the winter, when meltwater with nowhere to go backs up under shingles and leaks into walls. 

Sump pump. If your home has a basement, you may have a sump pump to keep it from flooding. Check that the sump pit is free of debris so water can flow freely, and make sure the pump is powered up and working properly. 

Outside areas 

Yard prep. Preparing your yard to prevent flooding and mitigate wildfires is crucial for protecting your home and ensuring safety. Start by clearing debris, leaves, and dead vegetation, which can act as fuel for wildfires. Trim overgrown bushes and trees, maintaining a safe distance from structures. Install proper drainage systems to manage excess water and prevent flooding. Regularly inspect and clean gutters to ensure they are free of blockages. Lastly, consider using fire-resistant landscaping materials and plants to create defensible space around your home. 

Trees. Look for signs of disease or insect damage that could make trees vulnerable to falling – and potentially crashing into homes or cars – during a windstorm. While tree falls are usually considered "acts of nature," homeowners may be held responsible for damage if they knew or should have known there was a problem with their tree.   

And one bonus tip: While you're doing all that checking, verify your home is earthquake-ready with measures like bolting it to the foundation and strapping your water heater to the wall. 

Whether you're a homeowner, condo owner, or renter, staying proactive is key.  Your home is your sanctuary, and with a bit of effort and vigilance, you can enjoy the spring and summer seasons with the peace of mind that you have done what you can to prevent preventable home disasters. #fortheloveofprevention