Another six weeks until spring arrives. But you don’t have to wait to see your shadow to start your spring projects.
Time for some February home maintenance. Get inspired with these home improvement and safety tips.
Clean Out the Oven
Did you know that 8% of home cooking fires are caused by dirty ovens or ranges? Grime and food built up over the year can render your oven a grimy fire hazard if you don’t clean it regularly.
Good news! Cleaning the oven is as easy as following the instructions on your favorite brand of oven cleaner – or a touch of a button (for those lucky enough to have a self cleaning oven!)
Keeping your smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarms in top shape can also prevent fires- Be sure to check your CO and smoke alarms once a month by testing the batteries and replacing the unit every 10 years.
Check Your Fire Extinguisher
Kitchen fires are serious business. Cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires and home fire injuries.
You can keep an accident from becoming a tragedy by investing in a fire extinguisher and training your family on how to use it.
Inside the house
Clean Linens, Carpets, and Curtains
Dust, mites, and dander can all cause allergies long before springtime pollen strikes. Deep clean your bedsheets, duvets, and comforters in each bedroom to keep the creepy crawlies away. The carpets and curtains in your living areas will also need some cleaning and freshening up.
Change Wi-Fi and Personal Passwords
Internet-connected smart devices like security systems and cameras need a little maintenance too. Regularly change your home Wi-Fi password and passwords to accounts like email, bank, and social media accounts.
Use unique for each of your accounts for extra security. You should do this more than once a year (I like to do mine quarterly), but it’s never too late to start!
Upgrade Indoor Lights
Brighten things up with an upgrade to your home lighting – smart lights are a great choice; You can control them and anything plugged into a smart plug directly from your phone.
These devices let you turn on the lights or start your morning coffee without getting out of bed. You can also find smart bulbs that add mood lighting.
Basement
Unfinished or totally furnished, your basement needs some attention every February too. These simple basement tips will make the rest of the year a little better.
Set Up Leak Detectors
Basement floods don’t always come in large proportions. Sometimes a little leak can cause a lot of water damage and lead to mold. Try placing water leak sensors under appliances like washing machines and water heaters.
These devices sound an alarm when they detect water so you can get ahead of water damage issues. You can even find smart water detectors that send alerts to your phone and let you shut off your home’s waterline remotely.
Check Your Home’s Foundation
Bathrooms
Safety maintenance tasks –
Clean out your medicine cabinet
It’s time to clean out your medicine cabinet -old medications tend to pile up. Toss unused or expired medications.
Proper disposal is important so dangerous medications do not end up in our lakes, water supplies or landfills. You can return most medication for disposal to your local pharmacy or doctors office.
Re-caulk the Tub and Toilet
Prevent leaks and water damage in your home by checking the sealing and caulking in your bathroom. It only takes a few minutes to patch up any problem areas.
Deep Clean to Prevent Mold
Bathrooms are a paradise for molds, mildew, and fungus. Clean out your vents, fix any water leaks, and scrub the walls and ceilings to prevent black mold and other household mildews.
Hallways
It’s easy to forget your hallways when it comes to routine checks and maintenance. These quick tasks take only a few minutes and can keep your home safe all year.
Test Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Dead batteries are a leading cause of smoke alarm failures. Simple routine maintenance can keep your home much safer.
Check all the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working. If they are 10 years or older….it’s time to replace them!
Change Your HVAC Filter
Air quality is as important inside your home as outside your home. Breathe a little easier going into spring by changing your HVAC filter. The process takes about as long as changing a lightbulb.
Outside
Keep the Driveway and Sidewalk Clear
If you live in a cold, snowy area, you already know how important it is to de-ice the driveway and sidewalk. Even if you don’t use the sidewalk near your home, others do. Keeping ice melting salt and a snow shovel handy for those winter storms can make your home safer for your family and neighbors.
Watch for Ice Dams and Icicles
Ice buildup on your roof and gutters can cause expensive damage later in the year. Patch up any areas that tend to collect water to prevent leaks and further damage to your roof.
Get Ahead on Spring Cleaning
It can be easy to get cabin fever this time of year (especially since we’ve been confined to our homes due to COVID-19), so make your home feel a little safer, cleaner, and happier by checking some items off this home maintenance list.