Back-to-school season brings a return to routines for families across Harrisburg, Lebanon and surrounding areas. Alarm clocks are set earlier, backpacks return to the hallway, and evenings become filled with homework, activities, and preparing for the next day.
It's also a great time to give your home a safety check.
After a busy summer of vacations, outdoor activities, visitors, and changing schedules, small household maintenance issues can easily go unnoticed. Using the start of the school year as a reminder to walk through your home can help you identify potential safety concerns before the colder months arrive.
At HouseMaster Serving Harrisburg & Lebanon, we know that many of the issues found during home inspections aren't dramatic failures. They're often small maintenance concerns that developed gradually and simply weren't noticed.
Here are some important areas every family should check as the school year begins.
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are among the most important safety devices in any home, but they're easy to forget when they're working quietly in the background.
Take a few minutes to test every detector in your home.
Check:
- Smoke alarms on each level of the home
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Detectors near sleeping areas
- Battery condition
- Expiration or replacement dates
- Units that are damaged, loose, or missing
Don't assume that a detector is functioning simply because it isn't chirping. Test each unit according to the manufacturer's instructions and replace batteries or devices when necessary.
It's also a good opportunity to make sure everyone in the household recognizes the sound of the alarms and knows what to do if one activates.
Check Stairs, Railings, and Handrails
When everyone is rushing out the door in the morning, a loose railing or damaged stair can quickly become a safety concern.
Walk through interior and exterior stairways and look for:
- Loose handrails
- Wobbly guardrails
- Damaged steps
- Loose carpeting
- Uneven flooring
- Poor lighting
- Clutter on stairs
Pay particular attention to stairs children regularly use when heading to bedrooms, basements, garages, or outdoor areas.
A railing that feels slightly loose today may become considerably less secure with continued use.
Inspect Electrical Outlets and Cords
The school year often means more electronics are being used around the house. Laptops, tablets, phones, printers, gaming systems, and other devices can quickly fill available outlets.
Inspect commonly used outlets and power cords for:
- Loose outlets
- Cracked or damaged outlet covers
- Discoloration or signs of overheating
- Frayed electrical cords
- Overloaded power strips
- Extension cords being used as permanent wiring
Bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, and outdoor areas should also have appropriate GFCI protection where required.
If an outlet feels unusually warm, sparks, smells like it's burning, or repeatedly trips a breaker, stop using it and have the issue evaluated by a qualified electrician.
Make Sure Windows Open and Close Properly
Windows do more than provide natural light and ventilation. In some areas of the home, they may also serve as an emergency escape route.
Check bedroom and living-area windows to make sure they:
- Open without excessive force
- Close completely
- Lock properly
- Aren't painted or stuck shut
- Don't have damaged glass
- Don't show signs of water intrusion
Also check screens and window hardware for damage.
Windows that haven't been opened all summer can sometimes become difficult to operate without homeowners realizing it.
Replace or Inspect HVAC Filters
Your HVAC system may have worked hard throughout a hot Central Pennsylvania summer.
Before transitioning into fall, check the system's air filter and replace it if needed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
A dirty filter can restrict airflow, reduce system efficiency, and place unnecessary strain on HVAC equipment.
This is also a good time to look around accessible HVAC equipment for obvious concerns such as:
- Water around the unit
- Unusual noises
- Damaged ductwork
- Blocked supply or return vents
- Excessive dust buildup
Regular HVAC maintenance can help identify developing problems before heating season begins.
Look for Water Leaks and Moisture
Small plumbing leaks can cause significant damage when they remain unnoticed.
Check underneath:
- Kitchen sinks
- Bathroom sinks
- Toilets
- Dishwashers
- Washing machines
- Water heaters
Look for staining, damp materials, corrosion, warped cabinetry, or musty odors.
Basements and crawl spaces also deserve attention, particularly after summer thunderstorms. Moisture entering these areas can contribute to mold growth, wood deterioration, and other problems if the underlying cause isn't corrected.
Check Doors and Locks
Back-to-school routines often mean family members are entering and leaving the house at different times throughout the day.
Check exterior doors to make sure they close and latch securely.
Inspect:
- Deadbolts and locks
- Door frames
- Hinges
- Sliding-door locks
- Garage entry doors
- Weatherstripping
Doors that don't close properly can create security concerns while also allowing conditioned air to escape.
Inspect Decks, Porches, and Outdoor Steps
Summer can be hard on outdoor structures.
Before fall weather arrives, inspect decks, porches, patios, and exterior stairs for signs of wear.
Pay particular attention to:
- Loose railings
- Damaged deck boards
- Wood rot
- Wobbly stairs
- Corroded fasteners
- Uneven walking surfaces
- Loose pavers
Outdoor lighting should also provide adequate visibility around steps, entrances, sidewalks, and driveways as daylight hours become shorter.
Keep Walkways and Entrances Clear
Backpacks, shoes, sports equipment, and school supplies have a way of accumulating near entrances.
Keep hallways, stairs, and frequently traveled areas free of clutter to reduce trip hazards.
Make sure everyone in the family has a designated place for bags, shoes, coats, and sports equipment rather than allowing them to collect near stairs and doorways.
It's a simple change that can make busy mornings safer and more organized.
Review Your Family's Emergency Plan
A safe home isn't only about the condition of the building. Everyone living there should know what to do during an emergency.
Review basic plans for:
- House fires
- Severe storms
- Power outages
- Carbon monoxide alarms
- Medical emergencies
Make sure children know how to leave the home safely and where family members should meet outside.
It's also worth confirming that flashlights, first-aid supplies, and other emergency essentials are easy to locate.
A Home Safety Checklist Is About Prevention
Most household safety concerns don't appear overnight.
A railing gradually loosens. An outlet begins showing wear. A small plumbing leak develops beneath a sink. An HVAC filter becomes increasingly clogged.
These problems are easy to overlook during everyday life, particularly for families balancing work, school, activities, and other responsibilities.
A seasonal home safety inspection gives you an opportunity to catch those smaller issues before they develop into more serious concerns.
How HouseMaster Can Help
At HouseMaster Serving Harrisburg & Lebanon, our professional home inspections provide a comprehensive evaluation of many of your home's visible and accessible systems and components.
Depending on the home and inspection, this may include evaluating areas such as electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC equipment, roofing, foundations, attics, basements, crawl spaces, decks, stairs, railings, windows, doors, and exterior components.
You don't need to be buying or selling a house to benefit from understanding its condition. A periodic home inspection can give existing homeowners valuable information about maintenance needs and developing concerns that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Start the School Year With a Safer Home
The beginning of a new school year is all about getting organized and returning to a routine. Adding a home safety check to that routine can help protect your family and prepare your property for the months ahead.
Test your detectors. Check your railings and outlets. Look for leaks. Replace the HVAC filter. Make sure windows and doors operate properly.
A few minutes spent checking these areas today could help prevent a much larger problem tomorrow.
Harrisburg home inspectors Dan Ayers and Scott Ayers, like all HouseMaster home inspectors, have extensive training and certifications and are tested annually to meet the industry standards of continuing education, inspection, reporting, and customer service. As part of the oldest and most trusted nationwide home inspection business, Dan and Scott have been able to put their decade long experience in fire and water property restoration and their passion for customer service to good use in the professional home inspection process. Request an inspection today!
