Keep Your Home Healthy and Happy |
Posted: November 10, 2017 |
Your house is your sanctuary, your safe place in the world. Keep your house healthy by providing ongoing maintenance, and make it happy with some minor décor enhancements. Safety first Your home is where you and your family spend quality time, so put safety procedures at the top of your to-do list. On average, there are 374,000 household fires each year in the U.S., resulting in a loss of $7.32 billion.To minimize your risk of being part of this statistic, have your fireplace, chimney, and HVAC systems professionally inspected each year. Vacuum clothes dryer vents to remove accumulated lint that can be a fire hazard. Your home fire extinguishers should be inspected on a monthly basis and maintained annually. Fire is not the only danger that can be minimized with proper maintenance. Change batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors annually. GFCI outlets are designed to protect you from electrical shock and should be checked monthly. Also replace or repair doorknobs and deadbolts so you can easily exit your home and prevent burglars from entering it. Insurance is your safety net to help when the unexpected happens. Review homeowner's policies annually or when significant life changes occur. Also be sure to check any specialized coverage you carry such as basic home appliance insurance or landscaping insurance. Seasonal maintenance No two homes are alike, but they all need ongoing maintenance. Create a customized to-do list for your property being sure to include the following items:
Dress it up After basic maintenance is complete, shift your focus from function to fashion to make you and your house happy. Color sets the tone in a room. For a quick change, add throw pillows to blend in with monochromatic décor, or select vibrant colors to draw attention to a seating area or playroom. Bring the outdoors inside with potted plants. Varied greens and flowers can alter the feel of a space. Follow ASPCA guidelines to make safe choices if you have indoor pets. Give a room new life with paint or new hardware. Painting an accent wall a darker color to add depth, or go lighter to brighten a room. Change the personality of your kitchen with new knobs and handles for cabinets and drawers. Update your faucet for a contemporary look. Taking care of your house is an ongoing process that can seem overwhelming. Schedule maintenance in manageable amounts, and then treat yourself to a few décor updates to enliven and enrich your home.
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