Now that you’ve rung in the New Year, it’s time to get started on your home project resolution list. Here are four things you can do to make your house safer from threats, such as fire and flooding.
• Inspect all electric cords
Cost: Free, or $30–$50 if you need new cords or surge protectors
Time: 30 minutes
Materials needed: New surge protectors and cords, if necessary
Why you should do it: Damaged electric cords and overloaded outlets can cause failure to the fixture, appliance, or receptacle they are connected to. Since power strips and extension cords tend to be hidden behind large pieces of furniture, many people don’t see the safety hazard until it’s too late. Check behind entertainment centers, computer desks, and anywhere else you use electronics, and replace damaged cords. If you find that circuit breakers in your home trip periodically, evaluate outlets and power strips to make sure they are not overloaded. If you have more than two fixtures or appliances plugged into one outlet, use surge protectors.
• Change the batteries in your smoke detectors, and make sure you have fire extinguishers in strategic places
Cost: $10–$15 for batteries, $12 per extinguisher
Time: 15–45 minutes, depending on how many smoke detectors you have
Materials needed: Batteries, a ladder, and possibly new fire extinguishers
Why you should do it: Smoke alarms provide the best early warning signal of a fire in your house. If you can detect the fire quickly, you can minimize the damage. In the kitchen, store a dry chemical Class B or Class ABC fire extinguisher near the stove to put out grease fires (never use water) and make sure it is operable.
• Reorganize your basement and garage
Cost: Free
Time: Up to an hour
Materials needed: None
Why you should do it: To reduce fire risk, make sure your gas-powered tools, paint, lawn mower, and portable gas tanks are as far away as possible from the pilot light of a furnace or water heater.
• Check for plumbing leaks in the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room
Cost: Free
Time: Up to an hour
Materials needed: None
Why you should do it: A large number of homeowners claims are due to water damage caused by broken pipes and supply lines, says Robert Schreiber, vice president of AAA Insurance. If you catch a leak early on, you can have the plumbing repaired before drips becomes a deluge. Check everywhere, from the water heater to behind the refrigerator and washing machine to inside the toilet’s water tank. Faulty connections lead to flooding.
• Fix the gate in your yard so it locks
Cost: $35–$65, if you need a padlock or new hinges
Time: Five minutes to an hour
Materials needed: Possibly a padlock, gate hinges, screws, and a screwdriver
Why you should do it: You want to keep thieves out (they tend to target houses with easy access) and keep your dogs in (if they get out and cause damage, you could be held liable). Replace or secure hinges that aren’t working properly or aren’t firmly attached. Loop a padlock through the hole on the latch so it can’t be opened without a key.
Robin Jones is a contributor from Long Beach, Calif.
Your AAA insurance agent can provide more information. Stop in at a AAA branch,
call 1-888-428-8625, or go to AAA.com/insurance.
