As the warm spring weather arrives, so does the need to thoroughly freshen up our homes. From clearing out your closets to conducting an annual deep cleaning in neglected areas around the house, springtime is the perfect time to cleanse your home of any unwanted dirt, dust and clutter. It is also an important time to revisit your home insurance policies to prevent costly claims the warmer months can bring. These spring cleaning tips are an excellent reminder to not only prep your home for the coming season, but also to ensure you’re covered in the event of an emergency.

Waterproof Your Home

Remove leaves and other excess debris from your gutters and downspouts during your spring cleaning routine this year to prevent clogging — and other expensive repairs. Inside your home, it’s important to check caulking in your bathrooms, kitchens, doorways and windows to ensure they are properly sealed. Waterproofing your home and maintaining a well-functioning plumbing system can help protect against flooding, water damage, mold and mildew.

Secure & Fireproof Your Home

Even though you may clean out the lint from your dryer’s lint trap after each load, it’s also important to remove lint buildup from your dryer’s lint hose to reduce the risk of fire. You should also audit your house for frayed extension cords or dusty electrical outlets that need to be replaced or cleaned. While you’re at it, check the batteries in your fire and carbon monoxide detectors, and test your home security system to ensure it’s functioning as intended.

Weatherproof Your Home

In a seasonal effort to make your home safe and liability-free, it’s important to get your HVAC units inspected and upgrade older equipment to ensure electrical components function properly. Be sure to trim back trees and bushes around your home to prevent costly storm damage and unwelcome animal nests. Don’t forget to inspect exterior units, downspouts and exhaust pipes to mitigate any safety concerns.

Our affiliate, Doeren Mayhew Insurance Group, further explores how to prevent unwanted injuries, accidents and claims around the home in their latest article, which can be read here.