Is your home safe? We don’t mean to alarm you, but if you take a look around the average residence, there are usually lots of areas where home safety could be improved. Take a look at our list below, and see how safety in your home stacks up against it.

Electrical

Electrical safety means being on the lookout for fire hazards. Make a note to regularly check for the following:

• Frayed or cracked extension or appliance cords
• Overloaded outlets
• Exposed wiring
• Cords that run over pipes, under carpets or rugs or over heaters
• Overheating appliances (these should be repaired or replaced)

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

If you don’t have these types of alarms, buy and install them. Test them regularly to make sure they work properly. Have them repaired or replaced, or replace batteries as needed.

Lighting

Although some crime research has shown outdoor lighting may help burglars find their way inside a structure with more ease, some homeowners just feel safer being able to see what’s going on at night on their property. Motion-sensing floodlights around your property may add to your sense of security.

Windows

• Keep your window latches locked, but also install key-operated sash locks to secure the window’s top panel to the bottom panel.
• A pin lock can be created by drilling a hole through the top frame and inserting an eyebolt or nail so the window can’t be raised more than a couple of inches. The pins can be removed quickly during an emergency.
• Consider bars for windows, especially on the ground floor. Some bar styles are available that will complement the home’s architecture.

Home Heating System

• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually.
• Make sure floo pipes and gas and dryer vents are clear, clean and have good airflow.
• Check portable heaters to make sure the automatic shutoff is working correctly.
• Have your furnace inspected annually for cracks in the heat exchanger, and to ensure the burners are operating correctly.

For more on home safety, contact Powers Heating & Air. We serve Peachtree City and the surrounding area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about a home safety checklist and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.

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