Conducting an annual home audit can help you identify and address unchecked safety risks that may be present in and outside of your home. Even the smallest and most common of household issues, such as a stray cord, can turn into a potentially life-threatening hazard if it’s left unchecked. Use this checklist to conduct an annual audit of your home’s indoor, outdoor and emergency preparedness considerations.

Indoor Safety Considerations

Use this section of the checklist to review indoor safety considerations:

• Inspect all electrical outlets and panels for loose-fitting pieces or poorly fitted covers. Avoid overcrowding electrical outlets.
• Ensure proper locks on all windows and doors to help deter home burglars. Install a sturdy deadbolt on each exterior door. Consider implementing additional home security measures, such as motion-activated exterior lighting and security cameras.
• Check all electrical wires, cords and plugs for signs of damage or fraying. Make sure all wires and cords are arranged safely to avoid slip and trip hazards. Contact a qualified electrician for a further inspection of your home’s electrical wiring.
• Inspect all major household features such as your sump pump, water heater, furnace and HVAC system for potential damages or problems. Contact a qualified repair technician for any maintenance concerns.
• Check all furnace, oven and vent filters to ensure they are working properly and don’t possess excess debris. Replace filters as needed.
• Clean your HVAC system and air vents to avoid dust buildup.
• Store all flammable, toxic and other potentially dangerous liquids or materials (e.g., cleaning and cooking supplies) in a safe and secure location, out of the reach of children and pets.
• Organize your medicine cabinet to ensure you are fully stocked on essential medications. Be sure to properly dispose of any outdated or expired medications.
• Inspect your property’s walls and ceilings—paying special attention to the attic or crawl space—for any structural concerns, such as cracks, leaks or evidence of deterioration. Make repairs as needed.
• Check your home for signs of pests (e.g., droppings, nests and wood damage). If you suspect an infestation, contact a qualified pest exterminator.
• Use a vacuum to remove any excess dust or debris from your refrigerator coils.
• Remove your washer and dryer from the wall, and clean your dryer vent to remove lint buildup, as this is highly flammable.
• Deep clean all surfaces and appliances within your home that are frequently touched or used.
• Inspect your plumbing system—paying special attention to toilets, bathtubs, showerheads, sinks and faucets—for potential cracks or leaks. Contact a qualified plumbing professional for any maintenance concerns.
• Check your kitchen and bathroom drains and pipes for potential blockages. Remedy any blockages by running soap and hot water down the drain, followed by a drain cleaning product.
• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a qualified professional.

• Check all windows, screens and doors to ensure they are properly installed and sealed, looking out for cracks, chipped paint or broken glass. Make repairs as needed.
• Consider swapping any corded blinds and curtains with cordless alternatives to eliminate choking hazards for children and pets.
• Maintain safe stairwells by repairing or tightening any loose steps or handrails. If the stairs aren’t carpeted, consider adding slip-resistant treads or paint. In addition, be sure that the stairwell possesses adequate lighting to reduce the risk of slips and trips.
• Ensure that all electrical appliances and furniture within your household possess adequate babyproofing or childproofing features, if necessary.

Outdoor Safety Considerations

The outside of your home has safety hazards that need to be addressed. Use this section of the checklist to review outdoor safety considerations:

• Clean your gutters, pipes and exterior vents to remove any debris or buildup.
• Check your home’s siding for excess moisture, chipped paint, cracks or any other damages. Make repairs as needed.
• Inspect your roof for any excess debris, loose items, missing shingles, dents or any other damages. Make repairs as needed.
• Check your home’s foundation for any signs of cracking, deterioration, sinking or subsidence. Make repairs as needed. Consult a qualified contractor for serious concerns.
• Trim any tree branches located near your home’s roof to help avoid additional damages in the event of a storm.
• Clear your driveway, any walkways and steps of obstructions to avoid slip and trip hazards. In addition, ensure these areas are level and don’t have any cracks. Make repairs as needed.
• Make sure all fencing is sturdy and in good condition. Secure all fencing with a locking gate.
• Maintain any outdoor play equipment (e.g., a trampoline) to avoid safety hazards. If you have a pool, keep it clean and secure it with a fence and locking gate to ensure children and pets can’t enter the area without supervision.
• Inspect all outdoor furniture, toys, tools and appliances for safety concerns or potential damages. Make repairs or replacements as needed. Store these items in a safe, secure location when not in use, such as a locked shed, to protect them from the risk of theft and natural elements.
• Install exterior lighting to keep your yard well-lit and avoid slip and trip hazards.

Emergency Preparedness Considerations

Use this section to review the preparedness of your household for emergencies:

• Create a home emergency kit to be prepared for any scenario. This kit should include emergency documents (e.g., insurance policies, bank account numbers and passports), food and water, a first-aid kit, essential medications, personal hygiene items, a change of clothes, a battery-powered radio and flashlight (as well as spare batteries), matches, electronic device chargers, sleeping bags and pliers to turn off utilities. Store this kit in a safe, secure location.
• Establish a fire emergency escape plan that outlines several safe escape routes from different levels and rooms within your home. Be sure to practice this plan with your household. If you already have a plan in place, make sure to review it.

• Consider installing a fire escape ladder near a window for each upstairs room in your home. Ensure all members of your household know how to safely use a fire escape ladder.
• Install smoke alarms inside and outside of each bedroom, as well as on every level of your home—including the basement. Test all alarms for effectiveness once every month and replace batteries once every year. Replace alarms every 10 years.
• Ensure that carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are properly installed outside of each bedroom and on every level of your home—including the basement. Test all detectors for effectiveness and replace batteries as needed. CO detectors should be replaced every seven years.
• Place portable fire extinguishers in areas of your home with an elevated fire risk, such as the kitchen and the garage. Make sure that all members of your household know how to safely use an extinguisher.
• Inspect extinguishers to ensure that the pressure gauge is in the green zone, the pin and tamper seal are intact and there are no other external damages (e.g., dents, rust or leaks), and replace extinguishers as needed.
• Make sure that your house number is clearly displayed and visible from the outside. This will allow your home to be easily identified in case of an emergency.

Summary

Conducting an annual home audit can help you identify and address hazards that may be present in and outside of your home. Use this checklist to get started on making your home a safer place to live for yourself, your loved ones and your guests.