The cold and wet weather is on its way–or quite possibly it is already at your front door as you are reading this. This season, don’t delay on the essential home maintenance to prevent dangerous trips or slips. Before family comes for the holiday season, it’s time to make sure your front door provides safe passage for any elderly guests and young children alike. Here are the important steps you need to take.
Lighting Assessment
As the nights grow longer and the days get shorter, now is the time to assess your outdoor lighting. If there are areas that are ill-lit, consider installing new outdoor lights. Whether you consider a large motion-detecting light to save on electricity, or simply install solar powered path lighting, it is vital that the trek to your front door is well-lit to prevent slipping on unseen obstacles. Plus, a well-lit front yard can prevent would-be thieves or vandals from targeting your home.
Add Traction Where Needed
For added stability during wet or freezing conditions, cover any walk areas or stairways with added traction in the form of textured paint or abrasive strips. Pay special attention to areas that might be susceptible to the elements and thus could be exposed to icy or slick conditions as fall or winter storms occur. In these areas particularly, make sure that any railings are stable and able to support the weight of a falling person.
Address Overgrown Foliage
Tree branches, leaves or overgrowth on your walkways or yard can all cause obstacles that can impede stability. For children or elderly guests or household members, this can make an already unsteady walk more dangerous. Trim branches, clean leaves and remove or trim any shrubbery in the walkway. In adverse conditions, excess debris can make even the most sure-footed member of the household at risk of injury.
Thankfully, it’s not terribly difficult to prevent slips and falls this season. A small amount of inexpensive maintenance can go a long way to make sure your home and walkways are easy to navigate, no matter what the weather has to offer.
