9 Summer Safety Tips for Homeowners

Summer brings sunshine, long days, and the best weather for a dip in the pool or an ice cream cone. At the same time, summer also brings its fair share of hazards to your Asheville home, ranging from annoying bugs to severe thunderstorms. But with a handful of summer home safety tips, you can make sure your property is ready for whatever the season can throw at it and make the most of these bright, warm days.

1. Call for an HVAC inspection

As temperatures keep ticking upward, you'll be more and more tempted to switch on your HVAC system so it can keep your home cool and comfortable. The more you run your air conditioner, though, the more likely it is to experience defects like a clogged filter or mechanical trouble.

The fix? Schedule an HVAC inspection from licensed contractors. They can catch any minor issues and tackle repairs so your HVAC system hums along smoothly all summer long.

2. Schedule a termite inspection, too

Spring and summer are prime seasons for termite infestations, so it's also a good idea to schedule an inspection for these pests sooner rather than later. Termites are especially bad news for your house, so calling inspectors to make sure they aren’t chewing through the wood of your property is one of the best summer safety tips for your Asheville home.

3. Install anti-wasp traps

The summer heat in Asheville tends to be a favorite for bugs, which is why you can see them buzzing and scuttling around in the plants of your garden or backyard. Some of these insects are less than friendly, though, like wasps – and the last thing you want is for one of these angry critters to sting you or your family members.

Anti-wasp traps, such as hanging traps, are great for catching wasps before they become troublesome. Place them strategically around your property to maximize their effect, especially if you or a family member are allergic to wasp or bee stings.

4. Install storm doors and windows for summer

Summer storms are dramatic and exciting, but they can also be destructive to your property. Your front or back door might be particularly vulnerable, especially if one or the other has large glass windows.

Storm doors are cost-effective ways of protecting those doors while keeping up the aesthetic appeal of your property. A great-looking storm door, in fact, can boost curb appeal for your Asheville home while safeguarding your entry door or back door at the same time.

5. Check nearby trees for debris or hanging branches

A similar summer safety tip is to take a walk around your property and make a note of any hanging branches or trees that could fall onto your home and cause damage with the right push from storm winds. If you see a branch hanging over your roof, for instance, call a local arborist to cut that branch down safely before a summer storm does it for you.

6. Practice pool safety during summer

If you had the foresight to install a swimming pool in your backyard, odds are you and your family love diving into that pool when the weather gets particularly hot! Just don't forget to practice a few key pool safety tips during the summer, like:

• Checking your pool filter regularly
• Not running along the pool's side (and telling your young children this when they forget)
• Keeping your pets secured inside when you’re not watching them out back

7. Make sure your smoke detectors work in the summer

Certain things in the house, like electronics, can get pretty toasty in the summer, especially if they're exposed to sunlight for several hours throughout the day. Even a small fire can rapidly grow into a big danger, so double-check your smoke detectors and make sure they work. It’s much better to catch an early flame that you can quickly put out than to see that flame already spreading. While you’re at it, check the batteries of your home’s carbon monoxide detectors, too!

8. Hang shades or curtains near big windows

The sun is so powerful that it can even give you a burn if you’re indoors. Say you’re sitting in your favorite loveseat next to your big picture window with plenty of sunshine for hours while digging into a new book. Not only will that loveseat be at risk of fading due to UV rays, but too much sun exposure can also be bad for your skin – even if you’re inside!

Wearing sunscreen is a good idea outside, but what about reducing skin cancer risk indoors? You can mitigate how much sunlight gets into your home with decorative shades, curtains, and other window treatments. Hang some curtains around windows in the living room or bedroom to control natural light and keep your home’s temperature down during the day.

9. Update those windows for better energy efficiency

Curtains are more than just barriers to sunlight. They're also great ways to dress up your home's replacement windows, adding curb appeal and giving you a chance to bring a bit of stylistic flair to your room of choice. Of course, curtains, shades, and other window treatments only look as good as the windows they hang around.

Fortunately, summer is also a fantastic time to look into window upgrades and replacements. At Window World of Asheville, we offer dozens of best-in-class energy-efficient windows for homes just like yours, such as Alside’s Sovereign Ultra-Premium Vinyl Windows. Request a quote online or visit our showroom today to explore your options and find the perfect windows to elevate your home (and lower your utility bill)!