7 Things Homeowners Must Do Now to Protect Their Property

Your home is your sanctuary. It’s where you return after a long work day to wind down, relax, and spend time with your family.

You’d do anything to keep your property in top shape—but do you know what you’d do in an emergency? Things like break-ins and severe weather strike when you least expect them. They can leave your home devastated if you don’t have the proper precautions in place.

Preparing now is a simple way to make your life easier if something bad happens. It can also help you avoid emergencies altogether. 

This article explores 7 things every homeowner should do to protect their property.

Steps to Protect Your Home

Don’t worry—preparing your home for the worst isn’t tricky. The benefits are worth the time and money it’ll take to get your property emergency-ready!

Security

Even homes in safe neighborhoods aren’t immune to break-ins. In 2023, Toronto saw 7,643 forced entries. Over half occurred in residential properties, showing the importance of prioritizing home security.

A reputable alarm system can prevent your home from becoming a target. While it’s on, a loud alarm will sound if anyone opens doors or windows. Some systems also immediately call the police. Add cameras and motion detectors for even more protection.

Digital doorbells have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. They allow you to see who is at your door without risk. Some models even allow you to talk to them. This means you don’t have to open the door without knowing if the person on the other side is friendly or means to harm you.

Additionally, be careful whom you give spare keys to—not all neighbors are trustworthy.

Fire Safety

The first line of defense in a fire is a smoke detector. You should place these alarms in every room. Conduct regular tests to ensure each one is working as it should.

Next, place fire extinguishers on every level of your home. Pick locations that are within reach of spots where fires are more likely to start, such as the kitchen.

A multipurpose A:B:C extinguisher will work well for most fires. Sometimes, you may want to have more specialized types on hand:

• Class A: For fires involving wood, paper, cloth, rubber, trash, and plastic
• Class B: For fires involving flammable liquids, gasoline, paint, and other oil-based products
• Class C: For fires involving electrical equipment
• Class D: For use in industrial and laboratory settings
• Class K: For fires involving cooking appliances

Last, determine an effective escape route. For example, if a fire starts by the front door, how will you get out of the house? Do you know how to open the windows? How will you evacuate from the top floor?

Severe Weather

Severe weather can strike at any moment and devastate your home. Take time to weatherproof your home before the storms roll in.

First, check the insulation in the attic and crawl spaces. Most homeowners forget about these spots. But neglecting them can cause serious issues when bad weather strikes.

First, examine your roof. Are shingles cracked or curling? If so, it’s time to replace them before they start letting rain and snow into your home. If you have flat roofs, paint them with a rubber coating that protects them from water to avoid damage.

Next, check your gutters. If they’re not working, rainwater can gather underneath them. This leads to water damage in your walls, cracks in the foundation, and leaks. A good sign your gutters need repairs is if there’s standing water underneath or cracks.

Third, seal your windows and doors with weather stripping. This is a simple process you can tackle in a few hours. It’s best to do it sooner rather than later. Even a simple rainstorm can cause a disastrous leak through an unsealed window.

Emergency Preparedness

Do you know what to do in an emergency? If you said no, don’t worry! Most homeowners don’t know what to do to protect themselves and their property.

If you don’t have any plans for emergencies, start here:

1. Create a kit: Your kit should include first-aid supplies, water, and non-perishable food. Keep the kit in an accessible spot, like a closet or the pantry, instead of the attic.
2. Write a list of contacts: Keep a list of emergency numbers by the phone and in your kit.
3. Identify evacuation routes: If you’re given an evacuation order, you won’t have time to sit down and plan a route. Doing this in advance allows you to leave faster.
4. Plan how to leave the house: If you have to evacuate, how will you leave your house? Decide how you will protect your property if you have time. For example, you may have time to board up windows before evacuating.

Another essential consideration is a backup generator. If the power goes out, a generator will kick in and provide the electricity you need. A generator is especially crucial during the winter since broken heaters are dangerous.

Legal Issues and Insurance

If you wait to sort out your home’s legal issues until a problem arises, it’s too late.

Construction

If you buy a new construction home and something is wrong, don’t wait to alert the builder. In most cases, the company will send a team to assess the issue and see what they can do to fix it.

In extreme cases, waiting to get a construction fault fixed is a terrible idea. It can cause disastrous consequences like structural collapse.

But, if the builder is uncooperative and doesn’t fix an issue they’re responsible for, you may have to file a lawsuit. Consult a legal professional to guide you through the process, as it’s complex to navigate.

Personal

Do you know what will happen to your home after you pass? It’s a situation nobody wants to think about, but ignoring the question can put your family and property at risk.

You don’t have to tackle this difficult decision alone. Westcoast Will and Estates can help you prepare your will and discuss probate.

Insurance

Homeowners insurance gives you peace of mind. It readies you and your property for anything that could happen. But you can’t apply the benefits of insurance to a situation after it has already occurred. So, protect your assets by getting insurance now.

Some sellers require insurance. In these cases, it’s even riskier not to have it, since you may lose the property if the seller finds out.

Maintenance

Regular home maintenance decreases the likelihood of sudden, costly problems. Create a regular schedule to maintain the most commonly problematic systems:

Smart Technology

Most of us have seen the array of smart gadgets available for our homes and dismissed them as a gimmick. However, many of these devices are actually incredibly helpful!

Oberlo reports that 69.91 million US homes use smart devices. That number is predicted to be at 103.15 million in 2028.

For example, smart thermostats save energy, reduce costs, and offer convenience. You can program them to change temperatures based on the weather outside or the time of day. Some models can even tell you when the system needs maintenance or repair.

Another example of useful smart technology is a door lock. You can access it from your smartphone to lock your doors even when you’re not home.

Readiness is Peace of Mind

The next time you’re faced with an emergency, you’ll know exactly what to do. In dire circumstances, preparedness can save your life. So, don’t delay! Take some time today to start preparing for emergencies—you’ll thank yourself for it in the future.

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