5 HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS TO MAKE YOUR HOME SAFE

By Hal Landers

Below are five easy home improvement tips to make your home safer in 2023. Although it is impossible to prevent every accident or disaster, there are a few simple steps to take that can protect your biggest investments and also start the year off right.

1. KNOW YOUR SHUT-OFF VALVES

Few people know where the emergency shut-off valves are located for gas, water, and electricity. Take a moment to find them.

TIP: Give the water valve a practice twist. These shutoffs can get jammed from years of not being used.

2. CHECK YOUR WASHER AND DRYER

Washer and dryer insurance claims are very common and can be extremely damaging. Worn-out rubber hoses in the washing machine can burst, spilling hundreds of gallons of water on the floor. These hoses may need to be swapped out with steel-belted hoses. When it comes to the dryer, it is very important to simply clean the lint every time as lint build-up in the dryer vent can spark a fire.

TIP: Remember to also check the vent line leading outside. A clogged vent line is not only a fire hazard but increases drying time and decreases efficiency.

3. PLAN AHEAD AND FIND A FRIEND

A monitored security system can be your best friend, but if you do not have one, the next best thing is to give the appearance that someone is home when you are away. While on vacation, install lamp timers, keep a background noise, such as a talk-radio station, turned on, and even have a neighbor or friend park their car in your driveway. And above all, keep lowerlevel windows and doors locked, as well as garage doors closed and locked.

4. SMOKE DETECTION PROTECTION

Every home should have at least one smoke detector per floor and a good smoke detector should last up to ten years. Take the time to make sure the batteries are tested semi-annually. This simple measure could be a lifesaver!

TIP: Don’t forget to test your house yearly for gases like radon, which is an odorless gas that can be harmful at high levels and causes cancer.

5. PREPARE FOR SEVERE WEATHER

Middle Tennessee sees its fair share of severe weather. In tomado prone areas identifying a safe place in your home to shelter is key. Ideally, this is a basement or at least a room on the lowest floor of your home with no window. If you live on an upper-level floor of a building, a hallway or bathroom in the center of the building is usually the safest place.

TIP: Consider keeping a home safety kit to keep your family sfe and maintain a supply of bottled water to be prepared for the unexpected.

No matter where you live, make sure your home and family are protected based on your specific needs. These five simple home improvement tips are an easy New Year’s resolution to keep and make your home safer at the same time.

For more information on protecting your home or business, give Landers Insurance Agency a call at (931) 380-2003 or visit landersinsuranceagency.com

HAL LANDERS is the owner of Landers Insurance Agency, LLC and recently celebrated his agency’s 20 years in business here in Columbia, Tennessee. As a native of Maury County Hal always knew Columbia was where he wanted to have his agency. The Landers Insurance Agency has been awarded numerous company production awards in personal, commercial, and life insurance including a finalist for Best Insurance Agency in Maury County.