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Tag Archives: home safety

Categories Home safety

Avoid Theses Holiday Home Hazards

Holiday

It’s the happiest time of the year and many of us put our joy on display with extravagant holiday decorations.

Between the holiday happiness, family gatherings, and some downtime from the hectic ways of daily life it can be easy to let your guard down.

However, there are quite a few potential hazards that are more common at home during the holidays.

We’re going to give you some insight into the common issues so that you can keep an eye out for and make sure you and your family don’t run into any problems this holiday season.

Overloaded Power Sockets

It’s not uncommon to go a little electricity “crazy” during the holidays. You have lights on the outside of your home, up the bannister and on the tree! Totally normal, but also a potential danger. Power sockets can overheat and send sparks flying or a nasty shock.

Solution: Pull out the extension cords and use them to distribute electricity use across various sources.

Christmas Trees

While an essential part of many families’ holiday celebrations, Christmas trees can be extremely dangerous. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an average of 240 home fires begin with Christmas trees each year.

Additionally, if you have a large tree, you must make sure to invest in a proper tree holder so that it is not unstable; which could lead to an accident with pets or children.

Solution: Keep your tree properly watered, no brown needles and check water level to ensure the tree is “drinking” enough each day. If you go with an artificial tree look for one with a label that says it is fire-resistant.

Decorating

Hanging decorations on the outside of your home or in high places, like over the stairs, look great but can be a hazard. Accidents from falling, strangulation, or choking are all possible.

Solution: Never attempt to put up decorations alone or place ladders in awkward places. If you are unexperienced, it’s a good idea to pay a professional to do the work.

Holiday Plants

This may seem a little extreme, but if you have small children or pets, common holiday plants like Holly and Mistletoe can actually be toxic or a choking hazard.

Solution: If you have little ones in the home stick to larger, artificial plants or switch to other decorations.

Chimney and Fireplace

Apart from giving Santa a clean chimney to slide through, this is a good reminder to get your annual chimney sweep and maintenance. Regular checkups can prevent creosote buildups and potential fires.

Solution: Get your regular maintenance, by a professional, and avoid placing any plants or other decorations near or inside the fireplace. Make sure the flue is open!

We Can help

We hope that these quick tips will help you have a safe and accident-free holiday with your loved ones! If you have any doubts about potential hazards or you want to knock out some yearly home inspection maintenance over the holidays—give us a call!

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
Categories Home Inspection

Things Your Inspector Wants You to Know

home inspection, home, inspection, buyer, seller, inspector, basement

After years of working in the industry and hundreds of experiences with inspections, buyers, sellers, etc. we at EIG have realized there is a gap when it comes to communication between homeowner and home inspector. 

 

That’s why we’ve dedicated our company mission to bridging the gap and improving the home inspection experience. 

 

Home inspections are a big deal, for sellers this could be the confrontation of the maintenance issues you neglected over the years.  

 

For buyers, an inspection can lead to heartbreak if a report finds the home is not worth buying. 

 

While that sounds scary, our intention is not to frighten you, but to keep you informed.  

 

With that being said there are a few golden rules that every home inspector wants homeowners to know before starting the process. 

For Sellers 

 1. Mind Your Pets

Be sure to leave them in a crate or at a friend’s house during the inspection. Not only is it distracting, it could be dangerous.  

 

During the average inspections doors, gates, windows, etc. will constantly open and close, giving your pet an easy opportunity to escape. 

 

 2. Get Rid of the Clutter 

While it’s not totally necessary to have a spotless home for the inspection (an inspector won’t care if your stove is dirty) you do want to make sure there are no barriers that prevent entrance into different rooms.  

 

Allowing the inspector to have easy and quick access to all rooms, including basement and attic, the experience will be smoother for everyone. 

 

3. Schedule a Playdate 

If you have babies or small children, it’s a good idea to get them out of the house during the inspection too.  

 

If you can get a family member or friend to watch them at a different location that would be ideal.  

 

If not and they must be at home then be sure to keep an eye on them—remember, lots of opening and closing of different doors and gates. 

 

For Buyers

1. Stay Calm 

There will be problems with the new home, don’t panic! Not all issues are critical, and we will help you decide which ones are more serious and which are easily fixed.  

 

2. Don’t Ignore Water Problems 

I know, I know—we just said not to freak out. But if you see leaky ceilings, puddles or any water related issues in the basement you may want to think twice about the purchase.  

 

Water damage or problems can be expensive and difficult to address. 

 

3. We’re Not Psychic 

Although we do know an awful lot about homes, unfortunately, we can’t predict the future.  

 

Home inspections are visual inspections, and we can’t say exactly when something will need to be repaired or exactly how much it will cost, but we can give you rough estimates that will be helpful in your decision making process. 

 

Don’t let an inspection stress you out! We’re here to help make the process easy while making sure you’re as knowledgeable as possible about each step. 

 

Stop wasting time and get in touch with us today to schedule your own professional home inspection!  

 

 

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
Categories Home safety

Make Your Home Safe

Home Safe

You spend a lot of time searching for the right home and then even more time negotiating deals.

Why wouldn’t you go the extra mile to make sure your home is safe for you and any person who will be in it?

Putting together a healthy home goes way beyond signing a lease or mortgage; the real work comes once you’ve moved in.

Studies have shown that most accidents or injuries occur within the home and with the right preventative measures you can ensure that you or a loved one don’t become another statistic.

If you’re ready to make sure your house is a safe environment, check out our list of must-haves for your home!

1. Fire Extinguisher

The CDC reported that cooking is the primary cause of residential fires. Save yourself the stress of a basic hazard like a kitchen fire by investing and maintaining your fire extinguisher.

Important note: There are a variety of fire extinguishers including Class A is for cloth, wood, rubber, paper, and plastic; Class B is for flammable liquids; Class C is for electrical appliances; Class D is for flammable metals; and Class K is for fires involving vegetable oil or other fats in kitchen appliances.

2. Smoke Detectors

The facts here are alarming; the U.S. Fire Administration reported that two-thirds of fire deaths were in places that didn’t have functioning smoke detectors.

Maintaining the smoke detectors are just as important as installing them, check the batteries at least once a month to ensure they are in good working order.

3. Contact List

Organize and keep in an easily accessible place, like on the fridge or table near the phone, with a list of emergency contact info, doctor contact, and even your personal information like health insurance and medication list. Here’s a great example of one.

4. Non-toxic Houseplants

If you have pets, this is essential. While plants can be beneficial to the home, like improving air quality, if you have a furry friend some plants like Aloe Vera, Geranium, or Daffodils could be dangerous.

5. Disaster Kit

Depending on where you live this could be a bag ready to go if there’s a hurricane, wildfire, earthquake or even just cut electricity.

You want to include water, at least three days’ worth of non-perishable food, first aid equipment, a flashlight, cash, and copies of important documents.

6. CO Detector

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas making it extremely difficult to detect and a huge threat to any home.

Fireplaces, grills, or even cars in a garage are all proponents of CO. Installing a CO monitor as well as proper maintenance of appliances will ensure your home is safe from this hazard.

Don’t let these items scare you, but rather use them as a precautionary list that can help you mold a safe and healthy home for your loved ones.

If you have any doubts about other safety concerns in your home such as air quality, foundation, or structural faults get in touch with us today!

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
Categories Home safety

Clean Your Home Like a Pro

Clean

We’ve talked about the benefits of prepping your home, whether you’re trying to sell or just getting ready for winter, taking preventative measures and maintaining small things year round will save you big in the long run.

Keeping a perfectly ordered home is nearly impossible, especially if you have pets or children.

However, there are some practical and easy measures you can take to prevent the need for a deep cleaning down the road.

Getting Started

First, define your mission. Are you clearing clutter or cleaning? Contrary to popular belief, they’re not the same and often when we attempt to clean we end up decluttering, which can only tack on unnecessary work to our mission.

Once you decide on your objective, stick to it. It’s a good idea to declutter a day or two before you intend on cleaning.

Sort through the things you want to sell or donate and actually make moves. Don’t let bags of clothes or household goods sit in your hallway for the next four months.

Before you get started with the cleaning, go through the house with a trash bag or basket to round up any random objects that are misplaced.

Along the way keep an eye out for any stray dishes, forks, cups, etc. that haven’t made their way back to the kitchen.

Pro-tip: This would be an excellent job for your kids if you’re interested in putting them to work.

A Pro’s Plan for Cleaning Your Home

1. Hit the Bathrooms First

Clear out everything from the tubs and showers and spray them down to let them soak while you tackle the other parts of the house.

2. Ceilings and Walls Top to Bottom

Time to get rid of those dust bunnies and cobwebs—don’t skip light fixtures and fan blades! The great thing about this task is that it doesn’t require any special supplies. Attach an old T-shirt or cloth to a broomstick and use that to dust.

3. Back to the Bathrooms

Once you’re finished dusting it’s time to get back to the bathroom and polish fixtures, scrub the sink, and empty any wastebaskets. Finally, finish with the floors; nothing fancy here, use a Swiffer or rag to make your floor look like new.

4. Furniture

Remove all items from shelves and tables and dust off with a paper towel before using a wood polisher or wax to take care of your furniture.

Don’t use the same cloth or rag for your knickknacks as you do on the furniture. Otherwise, you’ll be dealing with oily/sticky figurines. Use a small vacuum for upholstered furniture weekly.

5. Check Windows

Take care of any smudges or fingerprints along windows and mirrors to give yourself a break from the all that dust you’ve picked up.

6. Kitchen Time

First, load the dishwasher to make space for the real work. Take care of countertops, appliances, and the fronts of cabinets.

7. Finish with the Floors

Once you’ve taken care of everything above you’re ready to vacuum carpets and clean hard surface floors.

While this list may seem overwhelming the more often you do it, the less time and work it will take in the future. Maintaining a clean home can preserve the integrity and structure of your home.

What are your pro cleaning tips? Let us know!

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
Categories Home Inspection, Home safety

Get Your Home Ready for Fall

Fall

Warmer weather is starting to disappear, leaves will be falling, and soon teen girls everywhere will be buzzing about pumpkin spiced lattes. Yes, the signs of fall are upon us.

Just as the seasons change, so do our own needs and concerns within our homes. If you live in a colder climate, you don’t want to be caught off-guard and unprepared.

Prepping your home in anticipation of the colder months can prevent unwanted repairs or even the devaluation of your home.

Follow our advice to “Fall-proof” your home and ensure you don’t run into any unnecessary problems.

Inside the House

1. Check for Drafts

Replace any seals or caulks around windows and doors or buy heavier, insulated drapery for windows to keep your house cozy.

2. Furnace Inspection

Contract an HVAC professional to test for leaks, check heating efficiency and change the filter.

3. Winterize AC

If you live in a colder area that won’t use central air conditioning consider covering your outdoor unit.

 

Exterior of the House

1. Review Your Roof

Remove leaves or debris from flat roofs and check for loose or broken shingles/tiles.

2. Clear the Gutters

Prevent clogging by removing all debris and draining outdoor faucets in colder areas.

3. Inspect Siding

Look for any cracks or holes.

4. Chimney Maintenance

If you regularly use a wood fireplace have it professionally cleaned and inspected.

5. Look at the Trees

Make sure there are no dying, low hanging or rotten limbs that could fall on your home or a power line.

6. Install Storm Windows

Replace screens with more appropriate coverings.

7. Tend to Patio Furniture

Remove, clean and cover cushions or bring outdoor furniture indoors.

 

In Your Garage

  1. Test your generator
  2. Keep extra gas handy
  3. Service summer equipment – Empty fuel in your lawnmower, clean trimmers and get any necessary repairs taken care of so when spring rolls around your tools are ready to go!

Deep Clean

Although many attribute spring to be the season of cleaning, fall is actually the time to start. Slash your spring cleaning list by getting on top of your chores earlier in the year.

  • Dust closets when swapping out summer clothes for sweaters.
  • Wash walls, baseboards, switch plates and light fixtures.
  • Steam clean stone surfaces.
  • Inspect grout, especially around showers and backsplashes.

Preventative maintenance can save you big on emergency repairs and wasted energy costs.

Add value to your property by properly keeping up with your home’s needs—taking a few simple steps now can help you avoid a full-blown crisis down the road.

We’re here to help!

If you’re preparing to put your home on the market, you won’t want to neglect the fall home maintenance guide. Additionally, make things much easier on yourself by calling in the pros!

At Elite Inspection Group we are bridging the gap between homeowner and inspector.

We offer extended services, easy and efficient scheduling, and once we’re finished, we will take you through the report in terms that you can easily understand.

If you’re ready for your home inspection today get in touch with us here!

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
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