New Homeowners Edition: Four Things to Do this Month

Basic maintenance goes a long way to making your house a safer place. This March, make it a point to address these four simple DIY upkeep projects to create a home safe home.

1. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors—and get in the habit of doing this annually. Replace the batteries if needed.


2. Have you gotten a fire extinguisher for the kitchen yet? If not, make March the month you cross this purchase off your to-do list. If you do have one – check the expiration date.


3. Did you know that a clogged dryer vent can make your dryer less efficient and is a leading cause of house fires? Clean the dryer exhaust vent, and check that the outdoor vent flap can open when the dryer is in use.


4. Make sure your hot water heater is set to 120°F—anything hotter could cause scalding water to come pouring out of your showerheads and faucets. The thermostat knob is usually located at the bottom of the water tank. To help maintain water temperature and add an extra later of insulation to avoid energy-wasting heat loss, install a Frost King Water Heater Insulation Blanket around the tank. These vinyl-backed fiberglass blankets are designed for gas, oil, or electric water heaters and can fit up to 60 gallon tanks.