On your list of priorities, keeping your family safe is of course at the top. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by keeping your home in excellent condition, which can involve various types of maintenance projects. While some projects will be big, others may be much easier to accomplish. If you’re ready to get started, here are four projects you should plan on completing as soon as possible.

Change Your Furnace Filters

One of the easiest and cheapest home maintenance projects you can undertake, changing your furnace filters on a regular basis will not only make your furnace run more efficiently, but it will also protect you and your family from a potential house fire. By changing your furnace filters once a month during the fall and winter months, you can avoid a dust build-up inside your furnace. Should this happen, it becomes harder for your furnace’s motor to operate, which can cause it to overheat and catch fire.

Replace Your Roof

Although it is a much bigger job than changing furnace filters, roof replacement will keep your family safe in many ways. To begin with, it will ensure the structural integrity of your home, eliminating the chance of a catastrophic roof collapse. Also, a roof that is sound and leak-free will eliminate the chances of mold growing in your attic and ceiling, which can worsen conditions such as allergies or asthma.

Test Alarms and Extinguishers

At least twice per year, always make it a point to test your home’s smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Simple tasks that usually take only a few minutes and may require a battery change or at most installing a new alarm or detector, this maintenance project can save your and your family’s life. While you’re doing this, also inspect any fire extinguishers you may have in your kitchen or elsewhere, and replace them if needed.

Clean Your Chimney

If your home has a fireplace that you and your family love to use on those cold winter nights, don’t ignore your chimney. If you do, you are setting the stage for creosote to accumulate on the walls inside your chimney. Should this occur, it can catch fire and lead to a life-threatening situation that could result in loss of life as well as property damages. To avoid this, have your chimney cleaned and inspected on an annual basis by a professional chimney sweeping service.

By making these four home maintenance projects your top priority, you and your family can remain safe and have peace of mind.