January Home Maintenance and Safety Checklist

2. Get organized.

• Create a home inventory: Make a list of the items you’d want your insurance company to know about if you lost your home.
• Update home files: Collect instruction manuals and warranties into a single file.
• Declutter closets: Drop the dead weight of unused items.
• Check batteries: Check bulbs and batteries in weather radios, flashlights, and other emergency gear. Restock your battery supply.

3. Perform house maintenance.

• Inspect pipes: Catching a leak before it happens can save you from costly water damage.
• Clean filters and vents: Clear debris from your dryer vents and other air vents so you can breathe easily.
• Inspect house structure: Examine foundations, exposed beams, and your chimney for leaks, mold, cracks, and damage from pests.

4. Inspect bathrooms.

• Replenish medical supplies like cold and cough medicine and vitamin C to prep for flu season.
• Check for mold and make sure your bathroom’s vent fans are working correctly.

5. Plan for emergencies.

• Inspect and test the safety devices like carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
• Check fire extinguishers.
• Review your emergency plan with your family.

6. Upgrade outdoors.

• Replace any burnt-out bulbs.
• Consider installing security cameras.
• Clear your gutters.

7. Keep your devices running smoothly.

• Review the list of devices connected to your Wi-Fi.
• Reset the Wi-Fi password.
• Run a check on your devices.
• Update apps.
• Run the test mode on your security system’s control panel to fix bugs.
• Check the status of medical alert devices.