National Fire Prevention Month: 7 Home Safety Tips from Your Home Inspector

Alan Stephens • October 23, 2024

October is National Fire Prevention Month

As a home inspector, I know firsthand how important it is to take fire safety seriously. While inspections primarily focus on structural integrity and systems functionality, fire safety is integral to protecting your home and loved ones. Here are a few key tips to help prevent fires and keep your home safe.

1. Test Your Smoke Alarms

A working smoke alarm is the first line of defense in case of a fire. It’s recommended to test all smoke detectors in your home monthly. Replace the batteries at least once a year or consider upgrading to models with long-life batteries.

• Home Inspector Tip: During inspections, I often see smoke alarms improperly placed or past their expiration date. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. Check the manufacturing date – if your smoke alarm is more than 10 years old, it’s time for a replacement.

2. Fire Extinguishers in Key Areas

Having a fire extinguisher readily accessible in key areas of your home is critical. Kitchens, garages, and near fireplaces are prime locations. Make sure everyone in the house knows where the extinguishers are and how to use them.

• Home Inspector Tip: During inspections, I suggest placing a fire extinguisher in the kitchen since cooking equipment is a leading cause of home fires. Regularly check the pressure gauge and ensure it’s properly charged and easily accessible.

3. Inspect Electrical Systems

Faulty wiring and overloaded outlets are common culprits for house fires. Regularly inspect your electrical cords for damage and avoid plugging too many appliances into a single outlet or extension cord. If you notice flickering lights or frequently tripping circuit breakers, consult a licensed electrician.

• Home Inspector Tip: As a home inspector, I often find outdated electrical panels, insufficient grounding, or worn wiring. During an inspection, I can identify areas of concern that could pose a fire risk. Upgrading your electrical system can go a long way in preventing a fire.

· Bonus Tip: Don’t be scared, be prepared for Halloween electrical safety!

4. Practice Safe Cooking Habits

The kitchen is a hotspot for fire hazards. Never leave cooking food unattended, especially when using oil or grease, as these can ignite quickly. Keep flammable items such as paper towels, oven mitts, and curtains away from the stovetop.

• Home Inspector Tip: I’ve seen firsthand how kitchens can become fire hazards due to clutter near the stove. Keep your stovetop clean and free of debris, and ensure that children and pets are kept away from cooking areas.

5. Clean Your Dryer Vent

Clogged dryer vents are another common cause of house fires. Lint buildup can ignite, so make it a habit to clean the lint filter after every load. At least once a year, check and clean the dryer vent pipe to ensure it’s free of obstructions.

• Home Inspector Tip: During home inspections, I often find dryer vents clogged with lint or debris, especially in older homes. A quick check can save your home from a potential disaster.

6. Create a Fire Escape Plan

In the event of a fire, every second counts. Create and practice a fire escape plan with your family, identifying two ways out of every room. Make sure windows and doors open easily and designate a meeting place outside the home.

• Home Inspector Tip: When inspecting homes, I always check that windows and doors are operable in case of emergency. Being proactive and practicing fire drills can ensure everyone knows what to do during a fire.

7. Inspect Your Heating Equipment

As temperatures drop, heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves become common sources of warmth—but they can also become fire hazards if not properly maintained. Clean and inspect these systems regularly to ensure they are in good working condition.

• Home Inspector Tip: I recommend scheduling annual maintenance for your furnace or heating system. If you use a fireplace, have the chimney inspected and cleaned annually to prevent creosote buildup, which can ignite.

Fire prevention is all about preparation and awareness. As a home inspector, I’m here to help ensure your home is not only structurally sound but also safe from potential fire hazards. By following these simple fire prevention tips, you can protect your home and loved ones during National Fire Prevention Month and throughout the year.

Schedule a Home Safety Inspection Today!

To ensure your home is fire-safe, consider scheduling a home inspection. I can help identify potential fire risks and recommend preventive measures to keep your home safe and secure.

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Selliing Your Home? Consider a Pre-Listing Inspection!

By Alan Stephens • February 4, 2026

According to Zillow research, 85 percent of buyers get an inspection as part of the process of buying a home. Eventually, your buyers are likely going to want an inspection conducted before closing. Many brokers, agents, and sellers have determined that scheduling an inspection BEFORE listing can provide all parties with added value and benefits. What is a Pre-Listing Inspection? Regardless of your home’s age or how long you’ve lived in it, there is a chance that there are unknown issues that aren’t readily apparent. Like a buyer’s home inspection, a pre-listing inspection evaluates the home’s major structural, mechanical, and operational systems for their condition, safety, and life expectancy. Optionally, it may include mold, pest, radon, well-water, and/or lead-paint testing. There are situations where a pre-listing inspection is NOT advisable, for example new (<1-2 years old), recent major updates or remodeling, recently inspected homes, or if you’re aware of issues but aren’t, due to time or financial limitations, able to make repairs before listing. Cost of a Pre-Listing Inspection You can expect a pre-listing home inspection to cost between $400 and $700, depending on where you live and the size of your home. Generally, this cost is the responsibility of the homeowner up until an offer is in hand. Benefits of a Pre-Listing Inspection For a homeowner planning to sell their home, there are several benefits that a Pre-Listing Inspection can offer, such as: Providing a view of your home through the eyes of a critical and neutral third party. Revealing immediate safety issues before agents and visitors tour your home. Exposing items of immediate concern, such as radon gas or active termite infestation. Helps with prioritization of repairs and focusing on those deemed as most serious or safety hazards. Provides adequate time to either make repairs yourself or pursue competitive bids from qualified contractors for repairs that you decide to complete prior to listing, saving you money and time. Puts you in control of the repair process. Once a potential buyer requests repairs found in a buyer’s inspection, they’re likely to want to influence some of the decisions involved. Whether or not you decide to address findings from the pre-listing inspection, it can help you and your agent establish a listing price that properly reflects its condition. This can reduce the risk of negotiated offers and/or canceled contracts due to surprises revealed during a buyer’s inspection. Canceled contracts will appear on your home’s property history on the MLS and on sites like Trulia and Zillow and may deter interest in your home from qualified buyers and their agents. Many buyers will waive their inspection contingency if you can produce documentation of a pre-listing inspection. This can help streamline the sales process, leading to a potentially faster closing and freeing up equity from the sale for your next home purchase. Not all information reflected in an inspection report is negative. A pre-listing inspection can highlight what’s great about your home! Making the results of your pre-inspection available to buyers builds trust and may relieve the prospects’ concerns or suspicions that you’re attempting to hide something. Limits your liability by adding professional supporting documentation to your disclosure statement. In summary, planning for a Pre-Listing Inspection in advance of listing your home for sale can help reduce some of the uncertainty and anxiety related to the process. For the seller, it removes last-minute surprises that might be revealed by a buyer's inspection, adds value to your listing, and supports a higher contract price. For the buyer, it provides increased transparency and peace of mind regarding the condition of the home. Please check out this article for more information about Pre-Listing Inspections to decide if it’s right for your situation. If you’re thinking of selling your home in the next 6-9 months, now is a perfect time to schedule your Pre-Listing Inspection with Acuity Home Inspections!