It’s time to “spring forward” for daylight saving. Since the time change occurs twice a year, daylight saving is the perfect time to perform basic maintenance in and around your home:

• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Check to see if they have expiration dates, and change the batteries.

• After a winter of using your fireplace or wood stove, have your chimney cleaned and inspected.

• Clean out dryer vents and hoses to prevent lint buildup and potential fire hazard. Read more dryer safety tips here.

• Check your fire extinguishers’ gauges to make sure they are still charged sufficiently. If they’re low, contact your local fire department to find out where to recharge them. Extinguishers must always be recharged after use. Make sure one is always easily accessible throughout your home.

• Get ahead of the crowd. If your roof needs fixing or replacing start contacting contractors now. Read the 10 question to ask a roofing contractor.

• Check outside railings, stairs, and walkways if you have them for needed repair after the winter.

• Check trees for signs of damaged branches that might need to come down. Consider contacting a tree professional.

• Perform spring maintenance on appliances and home systems:
  • Change filters in your HVAC systems as needed, or have them serviced.
  • Clean your refrigerator—wipe down the inside and vacuum underneath and behind to ensure optimal operating efficiency.
  • Drain the water heater to flush out sediment.

(Did you know that sudden damage to these home systems and appliances caused by accident, breakdown, or human error is typically not covered under most warranties or service contracts? Repairs can often cost thousands of dollars. Read more on how to protect these systems.)

• Change your windshield wiper blades. If you have snow tires, plan to remove them as the weather gets warmer and snow and ice are no longer on the horizon.

• Contact your insurance agent to review your coverage to make sure it’s still adequate, especially if you’ve had any major purchases or life events in the last year.

Daylight saving is a helpful calendar reminder to do these routine maintenance tasks. We’ll make sure to publish one in the fall as well, which will be somewhat different due to seasonality.