PRIDE IN OWNERSHIP

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Owning a home is the "American Dream". When you ask people what they want out of life, chances are, owning their own home is going to be at the top of the list. But, with that home ownership comes responsibility. There are a number of maintenance and safety issues we never had to think about as renters. Therefore, we’ve developed this list to help you take a closer look at your property and be aware of possible health and safety issues.

 

Take a stroll outside your home. Walk on every sidewalk or path, the outer perimeter, even go to the street and look at your property as if you were a passer by. Pay careful attention to the following things:
  • Are your sidewalks smooth and even? If you have chips, breaks, or edges that stick up, you should repair as soon as possible to prevent family and guests from falling and injuring themselves.
  • Do you have stairs into your home? Make sure they are sturdy, in good repair, free of ice, snow or debris. If you don’t already have handrails on both sides of the stairs, now is a good time to install some.
  • Is your yard clean and well maintained? If you have old cars or appliances on the property, not only is your property less attractive, you may have a safety issue at hand. Children can climb into an old car or refrigerator and lock themselves in. If you must store these sorts of items on your property, please do so safely. Remove doors from anything a child may trap themselves in, and talk to children about the risks involved in playing in refrigerators and old cars.
  • Do you have a swimming pool? If so, install a fence all the way around it, keep it locked when not in use, and ALWAYS supervise children when they are swimming.
  • Do you have a swing set? Make sure it is sturdy and in good repair. Check to see that it is anchored firmly in the ground, and that any swings, rings or attachments are in good repair and secured. Look around the swing set for any additional hazards that may cause harm to a child.
  • Do you own livestock? If so, maintain your fences and repair any breaks immediately to keep your animals confined.
  • Do you have outside lighting? You’ll want to check this at night to see if you have adequate illumination. Please be respectful of neighbors and aim lights away from windows.

Please keep in mind this is a basic guide for you to use when assessing your property. We have highlighted the most common issues that can cause harm to you and your family or guests. We encourage you to take pride in owning your home. Keeping maintenance and repairs up to date not only makes your property nice to look at, but may prevent injury to you, your family and guests to your home.