Use this October Home Maintenance and Safety Checklist to get your home ready for the change in seasons and to protect your family. October is  fire safety month.  You love your family and your home – protect both and you’ll enjoy a beautiful space for years to come.  

Replace your furnace air filter.  Clean your furnace/ac unit, air ducts and replace any other air filters throughout your home.  There are many HVAC companies like the hvac repair in Chicago that’ll come to your home for a nominal fee and clean and service your heating and ac unit.

Clean gutters, downspouts and clear blockages.  This is a leading cause of water damage to a home.  The water gets blocked and causes damage to the exterior landscape, building and flooding can occur as a result of the blockage.

Check to make sure your fire extinguishers work.  If you don’t have one now is a good time to get one or a few.  You might also consider buying a fire safety kit and get a ladder as well.

Clean out the dryer lint and around the tubing vent that leads to outside.  Dryer fires account for 2,900 annual fires.  Try and get in the habit of cleaning this every time you wash.

Clean your Fireplace.  Make sure it’s clean with no debris inside.  Birds love to nest in it so make sure it’s clear. Consider having a chimney sweep come in.  Protect you and your family from a fire and possible carbon monoxide poisoning.

Stow the hose and winterize your sprinkler system. Get your outdoor water system winterized before freezing temperatures arrive and cause damage.

Seal your outdoor surface area. Those small gaps and cracks on your home’s exterior can impact both your heating bill and cause water damage.

Clean & Protect your outdoor furniture.  Wash and protect your outdoor furniture and appliances.   The elements can cause further damage.

AERATE AND FERTILIZE YOUR LAWN.  Lawn fall preparation is key to a healthy upcoming spring and summer lawn. Prepare your lawn and you’ll enjoy a lush lawn and have far less to do this upcoming spring!