Checklist: A Safe and Insurable House

Following some simple guidelines can safeguard your property, keep your family protected, and lower your insurance premiums. Here is a useful checklist to help you examine your home room by room.

Bedrooms 

• Keep candles away from bedding and curtains.

• Limit or eliminate extension cords and never run them under carpets.

• Keep cords against the wall to protect against trips and falls.

• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Change their batteries once every six months and replace after five years.

• Install window locks to keep out intruders and window guards keep children from falling.

• Keep a flashlight next to the bed in case of an emergency or power outage.

• Keep bedroom and bathroom pathways uncluttered to avoid falls in the dark.

Living Spaces  

• Limit or eliminate extension cords and never run them under rugs.

• Maintain a fireproof screen in front of your fireplace.

• Keep paper, fabrics, furniture, and other flammable items away from the fireplace or stove.

• Install surge protectors to protect electronics.

• Use non-skid backing or adhesives under rugs to prevent slipping.

Stairs and Hallways  

• Keep walkways free of obstacles to prevent trips or spills.

• Install sturdy handrails.

• Install adequate lighting and avoid overhead shadows on stairs.

• Make sure stairs meet code requirements for how steep and deep they are.

Kitchen  

• Check the dishwasher hoses for loose connections, clogs, or leaks, and replace if needed.

• Keep the dishwasher drain clear and free of clogs.

• Check the water line feeding the icemaker in your refrigerator to be sure it is free of leaks or kinks.

• Clean the range exhaust filter with soap and water to prevent grease and dirt from caking and to keep air flowing freely.

• Test ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets regularly.

• Unplug electric appliances when not in use.

• Check hoses and pipes under the kitchen sink for leakage. Repair leaky faucets.

• Seal around countertops and sinks to prevent water from seeping behind cabinets and walls, creating mold.

• Have an up-to-date, working fire extinguisher that is right for all types of kitchen fires. Keep it in a visible place.