Real Estate Blog

Home Safety in the New Year

As we begin a new year and the hustle and bustle of the holidays have passed, many people turn their attention toward cleaning and organizing their homes and stowing away the presents and decorations for another year.  While you are taking time to get your home back to pre-holiday shape, don’t neglect safety! 

During these cold winter months, you are cooking more, using fireplaces, space heaters, pre-heating your car and cranking up the heat to stay warm.  Most people have smoke detectors and remember to change the batteries regularly.  However, if you have items in your home such as gas ranges, fireplaces, gas-powered space heaters or make a habit of pre-heating your car in the garage, you also need to consider installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is something you may have heard about but not spent as much time considering with regard to your family’s safety.  It doesn’t seem to get as much attention as fire dangers in the home.  However, it is just as important if you have any system in your home that may produce carbon monoxide which is colorless, odorless and deadly in confined or poorly ventilated areas.

Carbon monoxide binds with your red blood cells in the same place that oxygen should be, starving your body of oxygen after breathing it into your lungs.  Early symptoms of poisoning can include headache, dizziness, fatigue and shortness of breath.  Eventually it can cause disorientation, unconsciousness and death if not treated.

There are many things you can do to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your home.  A few include not using your gas range to heat your home, having proper ventilation when running gas-powered items in confined spaces around your home, be sure fireplace gas logs or other pilot-light driven appliances are well-maintained and working properly and don’t run your cars in the garage with the doors closed OR open.  Carbon monoxide detectors are readily available, economical and most are easy to install.  Taking just a few minutes to do some research will yield much information on detector types and installation information.  Many have a built-in battery so you activate them and replace the whole detector when they start to sound a specific tone. 

If you have items in your home that could produce carbon monoxide and don’t currently have a carbon monoxide detector, check into it for the safety of your family!    .... "You've Got A Friend in Real Estate"

Jarod Tanksley 615.403.8265

www.BrentwoodandBeyond.com

Brentview Realty 615.373.2814

A majority of articles you read about improving your home’s appearance or maintenance projects place a strong emphasis on the front door of your home.  Although the front door is a very important aspect for your home’s curb appeal and what makes the first impression on your guests, for most of us, the garage door is what gets used multiple times each day for years on end!  However, for most homeowners, the only time you pay much attention to the garage door is when it DOESN’T work and your car is either stuck inside or outside!

In order to ensure you are able to get in and out of the garage, add garage door inspection to your routine home maintenance list twice a year.  Even though larger mechanical garage door issues need to be handled by a professional, some routine inspection and maintenance can be performed by homeowners.  Now that the weather is colder, you may have noticed your garage is also feeling a little colder.  Take a look at the trim around the outside of the door and the seal on the bottom for large cracks or gaps.  Inspect the closed door from the inside during the day with the garage lights off and see if there are large gaps of light coming through.  If so, you may need some new trim added for improved weather-proofing and to keep out the small creatures seeking a warm place to spend the winter.

If you only leave and return from your garage once per day, your door opens and closes well over 1000 times per year!  Listen when the door goes up and comes down for any sounds that are out of the ordinary.  As with any moving parts, lubrication is needed to keep things running smoothly!  Some homeowners may be able to some research and perform this task on their own.  Also keep in mind that there are many nuts and bolts on your door and the vibration of the door can naturally loosen things over time.  Depending on where the loose nuts and bolts are located, this may be a job easily taken care of with a wrench or socket.  If you are in doubt of the importance of any loose items that are found, always call a professional.

Always keep debris away from where the bottom of the door meets the garage floor and light sensors on the floor so they can communicate with each other.  And, one of the most important things to do is test the door’s safety stop feature in a few places along the base of the door by placing a piece of wood or a rolled up towel where the door meets the floor.  If the door does not reverse when it hits the object then a professional inspection may be needed to keep everyone safe!

By taking a little time to inspect your garage door you can keep it in good working condition and possibly have small issues taken care of by a professional before they become large expensive problems!...

..."You've Got Friend in Real Estate"

Jarod Tanksley 615.403.58265

www.BrentwoodandBeyond.com

Brentview Realty 615.373.2814