Spring forward: 10 prevention to‑dos for your home I PEMCO

When we “spring forward” this weekend, it’s more than a reminder to reset your clocks. It’s a perfect seasonal checkpoint to help protect your home from unwanted damage.  A few simple weekend tasks can help you stay ahead of problems before they start. 

Here are 10 prevention‑focused to‑dos for your spring‑forward weekend: 

1. Give smoke and carbon monoxide detectors a full safety check 

Replace batteries, test alarms, and check the manufacture date. Units older than 10 years should be replaced. Working detectors offer crucial early warning when seconds matter. 

2. Clean your dryer vent 

If it’s been more than a year since your last professional cleaning, schedule one now. Dryer‑vent lint buildup is a major fire risk, and cleaning it improves efficiency, too. 

3. Inspect plumbing for early signs of leaks 

Look under sinks, around toilets, behind your washing machine, and near your water heater. Catching moisture, drips, rust, or soft flooring early helps you stop water problems before they spread. 

4. Refresh your home emergency kit 

Replace water, medications, and semi‑perishable foods. Add seasonal essentials like spare phone chargers and fresh batteries. A ready‑to‑go kit helps your household bounce back faster after outages or storms. 

5. Update your home inventory 

Do a quick video walk‑through of your living spaces, garage, and storage areas to capture new purchases made over fall and winter. This makes it easier to remember what you own if something ever happens. 

6. Clear gutters and check drainage 

Spring rain is coming. Clean gutters and downspouts and make sure water flows away from your foundation. Good drainage helps prevent moisture issues and protects your home's structural health. 

7. Test GFCI outlets in kitchens, garages, and bathrooms 

Press “Test,” then “Reset.” These outlets help protect you from electrical shock, and they can fail without warning. A twice‑yearly check keeps them operating as intended. 

8. Inspect outdoor lighting and trim walkway vegetation 

Replace burned‑out bulbs and clear branches or shrubs blocking paths. Good visibility helps prevent falls and makes your home feel more secure. 

9. Check fire extinguishers for pressure and accessibility 

Make sure each unit is: 

• Fully charged (needle in the green zone) 
• Not expired 
• Easy to reach 

A ready fire extinguisher can make a big difference in an emergency. 

10. Practice your home escape plan 

Gather the family and run a quick drill. Press the smoke alarm test button or call out “Fire!” and practice getting out quickly and safely. Doing this twice a year helps everyone, kids and adults, know exactly what to do. 

Spring forward with peace of mind 

As the days get longer and spring weather rolls in, now’s the perfect time to reset more than just your clocks. A few intentional prevention habits can help keep your home running smoothly and your family feeling secure. At PEMCO, we know peace of mind starts at home, and it’s built one small, thoughtful step at a time.