December is a month of chilly nights and warm holiday spirit. If you live where snow is prominent, you know that keeping your family safe from icy slips and snowdrifts is important. December can also be a month of winter storms and power outages. Use this calendar to keep your home in tip-top shape this month.
Inside the home:
- Untangle and inspect holiday lights
- Call & schedule a carpet cleaner to take care of post-party spills and stains
- Check & clean humidifiers for better air indoor quality
- Call & schedule an attic insulation specialist to make sure your home is operating efficiently this winter
- Check fire extinguishers, the place near kitchen & fireplace
- Test GFCI outlets (read how to do this)
- Test smoke alarms & carbon monoxide detectors
- Remember to open windows for 5 minutes a day to circulate fresh air (read more about indoor air quality)
- Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down
- Call & schedule a professional home organizer to ensure a clutter-free 2015
Outside the home:
- Keep salt & shovel ready to keep sidewalks and driveway clear
- Check your gutters for ice dams or icicles
Frost dates:
12/04: Frost date for Sacramento, CA*
12/05: Frost date for Phoenix, AZ*
12/20: Frost date for Houston, TX*
12/26 Frost date for San Jose, CA*
*Indicates first fall frost (50% probability)
Holidays & Events:
12/2 Hanukkah begins
12/21 Winter Solstice.
12/25 Christmas Day
12/31 New Year’s Eve
Porch Tips: Stay safe during the holidays
December can be a busy month filled with company events, holiday parties, travel and holiday decorating. Keep your home, family and pets safe during this season by following these tips:
- Check the stability of your ladder before hanging lights
- Turn off all holidays lights before you leave the house or go to bed
- Look for the certification mark of safety on all electrical decorations
- Only place candles on a heat-resistant surface out of reach from kids and pets
