With the new year on hand it’s always good to start fresh with the safety devices in your home. You know that routine maintenance is necessary in your home or rental, but it’s difficult to stay on a regular schedule.
Take advantage of the new year as a reminder for those small maintenance items. You have a day off and it is a great opportunity to get back on schedule with home maintenance.
The best place to start is with your fire alarm batteries. Waiting for the beep can not only be dangerous, but annoying. No one likes to hear the “beep, beep, beep” of an old battery alarm at 2am. It is best to change these batteries every 6 months. Many use the changing of the clocks as a reminder to change, which is a good tool, but if you’re new to the home or don’t know when you changed last, starting fresh with new batteries in 2019 would be a good idea. If you need help doing this, just call us.
Check your fire extinguisher as well. Many extinguishers can last from five to fifteen years. Look at the gauge at the neck of the handle. If in the green, you’re good to go. If in the yellow or red, it needs service or replacement. You can take it to an extinguisher service and have it recharged or simply replace it with a new one, maybe from Safety First (www.safetyfirstnaples.com).
Finally – check and replace the filter in your a/c unit. If you are renting a home or apartment, you may not realize it, but this is your responsibility unless you’ve made other arrangements with your landlord. In Florida, a filter can last 30 to 45 days depending on your usage and if you have pets. Changing the air filter can help prevent damage to the a/c unit, help prevent allergies and breathing problem and reduce your power bill!!
The New Year is always a good time to evaluate your priorities. If that includes a safe, comfortable and energy efficient home, checking/changing your batteries, extinguishers and filters is a great way to start.