Silicon Valley Home Safety 101

We hope that everyone is enjoying a great start to fall whether you are buying, selling, investing or just enjoying right where you are at today! Given the recent, daunting number of natural disasters, evacuations, wildfires and the anniversary of the Loma Prieta Quake – we can think of no better time than the present to provide peace of mind for your future. The following home safety checklist is an ideal resource for review anytime you move, yet also relevant to any homeowner, at any time. We all get busy and distracted, so our hope is that this week’s blog will help you re-visit preparations that we all know are extremely important but often lost in the shuffle (we get it!).

___ Smoke Detectors

Are they working? Do you have a schedule to change the batteries every 6 months (try daylight savings or your birthday & half birthday!)? The National Fire Protection recommends one smoke alarm per every sleeping room plus the hallway on every level in the room.

___ Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Unlike smoke, carbon monoxide has no odor, no color and no taste. If your smoke detectors are not dual protection with carbon monoxide detection as well, be sure you purchase one for every level of your home (especially near any gas furnaces!).

___ Escape Route & Evacuation Plan

Make an escape route as a family & practice it (think home disaster drill: 2x a year). Ideally, you want to plan for two ways to exit every room in your home. Visit this link from The American Red Cross for 3 simple steps to creating & practicing your family plan.

___ Meet Your Circuit Breaker Box, Main Water Valve & Gas Shut-Off

Knowing where these fixtures are located and how to turn them off may be necessary for not only basic home repairs (electrical work, plumbing emergencies, etc.) but also in the event of a natural disaster.

___ Set or Re-Set Those Emergency Alerts

Smart phones make for intelligent preparation! The NEW app, Emergency, is a helpful tool which monitors your location and provides alerts for hazards and potential emergencies in your region. Be sure you download the app and update your location anytime you move. Click HERE for more info.

___ Back-To-Basics

Don’t forget the other ‘little’ things like changing your locks, purchasing or checking the expiration dates on fire extinguishers and making sure your window screens can be removed from the interior of your home. The small stuff can make a BIG difference in the manner, timing and stress levels that you endure when facing a potential emergency.

BONUS TIP: Don’t forget to stock your supply kit! This list on www.READY.gov (printable version included) is a great start to making a kit that can provide essentials for you and your loved ones for 72 hours.

Resources Used:

Home Safety Checklist: 10 Things to Inspect Right After You Unpack

6 Things Everyone Should Do When Moving Into a New House

***Thank you to Laura Peterson - State Farm Insurance for the '6 P's Of Evacuation' graphic!

All our best,

Mark & Jason