Risk & Business Magazine Gifford Associates Fall 2017 | Page 5

HOME SAFETY
AROUND THE HOUSE
You love your home and the people in it,
which is why annual maintenance and
improvements are so important. There
are things you can do, big and small, to
help make your home more comfortable,
efficient, and safe.
HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE
METAL DRYER DUCTS
Replace existing plastic or foil dryer
ducts with metal ones. The non-metal
ridges can collect lint and the flexibility
of the foil and plastic ducts can cause
sagging, leading to lint buildup. Metal
vents are less likely to have a buildup of
lint since the metal doesn’t sag and the
edges are smooth. Additionally, in the
event of a fire, a metal duct will help
contain the flames. Always make sure
the outside vent is clear of lint.
WOOD-BURNING UNITS
Regularly remove ashes from your
woodstove into a metal container with a
lid. Store the ash container outdoors on a
cement or brick slab, not a wooden deck
or steps. Professionally clean your unit
annually to ensure the chimney is free of
creosote buildup, the flue is clear, and the
stove itself is in good working order.
CUT BACK ON CLUTTER
Keeping your home free of accumulated
clutter will reduce potential liability and
fire. A crowded house will allow fire to
spread quickly and will make it difficult
and dangerous for emergency personnel
to get to you in an emergency situation.
HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF WATER
DAMAGE
CHOOSING THE RIGHT APPLIANCE
HOSE
There are two options when it comes
to appliance hoses: rubber (made with
layers of rubber and cloth) and stainless
steel braided hoses (made using flexible
rubber and reinforced with a mesh of
stainless steel wire). Choose stainless
steel braided hoses over rubber hoses as
rubber hoses can deteriorate over time,
causing them to break or burst. Stainless
steel braided hoses are up to ten times
less likely to burst! Their design allows
them to be installed in tight spaces
without kinking, which is usually the
cause of a burst hose. battery-operated unit to alert you if there
is a water problem.
Consider this: A washing machine hose
can carry up to seventy-five litres of water
per minute, causing real damage to your
property. GENERAL HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS
FURNACE MAINTENANCE
Annual servicing of your furnace can
reduce dust particles and bacteria, help
prevent unexpected and inconvenient
breakdowns, and ensure there are
no carbon monoxide leaks. Regular
maintenance can also ensure your
equipment is running efficiently and will
extend the life span of your furnace.
PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING
YOUR HOUSE
Eaves troughs direct rainwater and
melting snow away from your home’s
foundation and exterior walls. They
can help you avoid costly repairs by
preventing water and excess moisture
from seeping into your house. To keep
them functioning properly, make sure
to always keep them clean of leaves and
sludge. Keeping them clean will also
prevent sitting water from accumulating
and causing warping and bending.
When landscaping your yard, remember
that the way it looks is just as important
as the way it works. Ensuring your yard
is properly landscaped, with grading
that drains water away from your house,
will prevent water from entering or
damaging your property. Remember that
water will always choose the path of least
resistance. During a heavy storm, the
ground can become saturated and the
water will need somewhere to go. If your
yard slopes away from your house, you
won’t have to worry about excess water
entering your home.
GOING AWAY?
Avoid water damage by turning off the
water at the main valve when leaving
your home for extended periods of
time. Drain the pipes to keep them
from bursting by running the water and
flushing the toilets after shutting off the
water. Keep your furnace at a reasonable
temperature and leave cupboards that are
under sinks open to allow warm air to
circulate around the pipes.
OTHER TIPS
Polybutylene (also called “Poly B” or
“PB”) plumbing should be inspected
and replaced, if necessary. Check
sump pumps annually to ensure they
are operating properly and consider
replacing them every three years. Invest
in a water alarm. This can be a complex,
centrally monitored alarm or a simple,
OIL TANK
Oil tanks should be inspected annually
to check for leaks and signs of rust or
deterioration.
WATER HEATERS
Using storage tank water heaters is the
most common way to heat water in most
households. Most tanks hold between
thirty and sixty gallons of water. Water
is heated and stored; as the hot water is
used, it is replaced at the bottom of the
tank with cold water. Water heaters will
typically need replacing after ten years.
Tankless water heaters (sometimes called
on-demand or instantaneous water
heaters) are an alternative way to heat
water and have many benefits. These
units heat water on demand. When the
hot water tap is turned on, it triggers the
burner which then heats the cold water
as it enters the heater. When the tap is
shut off, the system shuts down. This
unit is considerably more energy efficient
as it does not have to store and heat forty
gallons of water. It also eliminates the
risk of water damage that can be caused
during a water heater leak.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Check handrails for sturdiness at all
stair locations and around porches and
balconies. Keep lights on timers when
you are away to give the appearance that
someone is home, and ask a neighbour
to pick up any mail that collects at your
front door. +
Content in this article is for information
purposes only. We recommend always
contacting a licensed professional for
home maintenance needs.
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