Get your home ready for the new year with these simple steps:

Clean Kitchen Ceilings and Walls

Moisture and smoke from all your holiday cooking can build up on the ceilings and walls of your kitchen. Use a sponge mop with a cleaning mixture made up of dish soap and warm water to clean the ceiling. Use the same mixture with a sponge to wipe down your walls. Rinse with warm water, and your ceiling and walls will look like new.

Flip Mattress

To make sure your mattress wears evenly, flip your mattress every 4-6 months. When you flip your mattress you should also vacuum the mattress and boxspring using the upholstery attachment to remove dust and dirt.

Clean and Organize The Pantry

Take everything out of your pantry, wipe down all the shelves and vacuum the floor. Take this time to reorganize your pantry and throw out any food that is expired or that your family isn’t going to eat.

Clean and Organize The Junk Drawer

Similar to the pantry, dump everything out and wipe clean. Consider lining the drawer with a shelf liner, or leftover wallpaper scraps. This will help protect the wood in the drawers and make cleaning easier in the event that something leaks. Reorganize the drawer by using a drawer organizer or any other household item like tupperware or even ice cube trays.

Dry Clean Linens

After the holidays, take delicate tablecloths and other linens to the drycleaners.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to assessing the safety of your home.

Evaluate the Perimeter of the Property

Walk around the outside of your home and carefully consider how it might appear from the street. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Are my valuables visible?
• How many entry points are there at ground level and are they secure?
• Is the property well lit, including pathways and any entrances?
• Are any gates, garage doors, and storage sheds on the property locked down?
• Are any hazardous materials or areas (like window wells and pools) secured?

Pay extra attention to your front door too. A weak lock can be a target for intruders, guests can trip on unlit walkways, and waiting packages can attract thieves.

Smart locks, motion-activated flood lights, outdoor cameras, and door and window sensors can help you secure each area. Depending on how many security measures you have in place, installing a home security system can let you control everything from one device and receive alerts when you’re away from home.

Update Your Fire Safety Measures

Obviously, you want to ensure smoke detectors are functioning in each hallway, the kitchen, and every bedroom. However, your fire safety precautions shouldn’t stop there. Make sure fire extinguishers are stored on every level of your home, and consider installing carbon monoxide detectors. Update any escape plans you’ve made, and teach all family members what to do and where to meet in case of an emergency.

Finally, check appliances in the house that could be fire hazards, like blocked dryer vents and malfunctioning dishwashers. Set up emergency alerts should be evaluated and cleaned yearly by a professional to verify they’re safe to use.

Look for Common Safety Hazards inside Your Home

Finally, it’s worthwhile to walk your home with a critical eye for several common safety hazards. Don’t forget these items as part of your home safety assessment:

• Look for falling hazards like slippery showers, unsecured rugs, and uneven floors.
• Evaluate that each room has adequate lighting, especially frequently trafficked areas like hallways and stairs.
• Secure common choking and tripping risks like window blinds and dangling cords.
• Lock up firearms and any prescription medications.
• Turn down the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Set up emergency alerts.

If you have children in the home, you’ll want to conduct a more thorough baby proofing assessment to make sure your little one avoids the pitfalls of sharp edges, steep stairs, and cabinets full of dangerous items.

Be Prepared

Once you’ve secured your home from known risk factors, the next step is to be ready for the unexpected. Set up emergency alerts in case of natural disasters, and have an updated and well-stocked emergency kit on hand. When the time comes, you’ll be grateful you’ve invested not only in securing your home but also in taking care of the people you love.