December Home Maintenance Checklist

With Hannukah and Christmas shopping and preparations, December is a non-stop month for many people. But don’t forget about your home. We’ve got a checklist to keep your house in order. For your convenience, we have turned this December home maintenance checklist into a PDF so you can print it out.

As usual, perform these monthly home maintenance items.

December Home Maintenance items:

• Check for damaged cords and wires.
  • Check to make sure the shielding hasn’t pulled away from the plug.
  • If the cord is bent, pinched or damaged, then the wires might be broken on the inside and apt to cause a shortage. Replace or repair the cord.
  • If there are black smudges or burn marks on the cord or outlet, then there are shortages occurring. Replace or repair the cord.
  • Check your extension cords, lamps, and other frequently unplugged small appliances, such as vacuums, coffee makers, blow dryers, electric shavers, etc.
• Check the ground-fault circuits on outlets.
  • Do this by pressing the “test” button (if available). The reset button should pop out. Press in the reset button.
• Review fire safety and escape routes with everyone living in the home.
  • If you haven’t already createdan emergency plan, then do so now.
• Test all electrical holiday decorations prior to use.
  • Check the cords for crimps, bends and damage to the protective shielding.
  • Check each light socket for cracks or frays.
  • Throw out any damaged cords or lights.
• Move snow shovels and blowers to a convenient location.
• Make sure your generator is in working condition and extra fuel is at hand.
•  Check driveway for cracks and have them resealed as needed.
  • If your driveway has cracks and you live in an area where it gets below freezing, those cracks can widen and deepen leaving a much larger job for you to fix in the spring.