Happy December! While some colder weather is upon us, we are fortunate to live in a climate where shoveling snow and worrying about freezing pipes is not the norm for the season. That does not mean however that we can ignore winter home maintenance entirely, and this week’s list is a quick & useful one of what you can do to help secure your comfort & safety this season!
CHECK THOSE SMOKE & CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR BATTERIES
Yes – we know you are supposed to do it when the time change happened, but if that moment has come and gone and you still haven’t replaced your detector batteries, now is the time. With candles, holiday lights and Christmas trees gracing many of our homes – it is a simple way to stay safe!
KEEP YOUR FLASHLIGHTS HANDY
Power outages with winds amidst our small but sometimes mighty Silicon Valley storms can leave you in the dark. Having flashlights in a few key areas of your home with fresh batteries can be a lifesaver if and when an unexpected outage occurs. After all, finding your way to the restroom sans functioning flashlight is not an olympic sport... but sure feels like one!
CONSIDER SMART HOME SECURITY
‘Tis the season (unfortunately) for package thieves; doorbell cameras come in many types and can serve as a deterrent alone or when coupled with alarm features. An added bonus is the ability to see if an unexpected visitor pops by; you might need to rush home from errands if Aunt Sue stops by with her famous & fresh banana bread!
TAKE STEPS TO AVOID SLIPS & FALLS
Those wet mornings and dark, dreary nights can increase your risk of falling when entering and exiting your home. Ensure porch lighting is plentiful and fully functional and consider adding mats inside the door as well as out so your smooth entry doesn’t become a hazardous one.
CLEAN THOSE GUTTERS
Did you know that gutter cleaning is important not just to prevent water damage and to protect your roof, but also to keep away pests? Rodents, birds and insects love nothing more than a pre-made place to call home – don’t let it be yours.
We all know that home maintenance is a never-ending task, and there is so much more we could add to this list! Bonus ‘homework’ would be updating your emergency supply kits (this is earthquake territory!), tuning up that heating system and having your roof checked before a leak springs (it’s usually cheaper to find it before rather than after!).
As always, Homes of Silicon Valley strives to be your trusted home resource so if you need any tips, ideas or personally vetted referrals, please do not hesitate to reach out.
All my best & always here for you,
Mark