Small Investments Every Homeowner Should Make

Owning a home is not easy. In fact, it requires constant maintenance. With so many things to remodel, repair and keep up, it can be easy to lose sight of the value of the basics. So, here are a few things a new homeowner should know...and never, ever go without.

Insurance: What's in Your Policy?
Though most mortgages and laws require insurance, not all insurance protects against all things. In addition, letting your insurance lapse, after the loan goes through can be devastating. Personally, I have had a house fire and nothing is more sinking than that feeling of not knowing your coverage. I remember standing on the curb in the middle of the cold night, staring at our burning house and asking my husband, "Our insurance covers this...right?" He replied flatly with frozen expression, "God, I hope so." We both just stood there like zombies not even knowing our own policy.

The next morning, after fireman knocked out ceilings and walls, we were digging through our stinky house, drenched in water and smoke for our policy. We were lucky. We had great coverage. But if you'd have asked me a week earlier, I couldn't have told you one thing our policy covered. The feeling is unmatched anxiety and overwhelming stupidity. This is easily avoided by knowing what you have...and making sure you have it!

Surge Protectors
A surge protector is designed to stop the flow of inconsistent electrical current and will actually melt in extreme instances of high voltage, protecting your appliance or computer as it does it's job. The smell of melting plastic can alert you to a power problem you may not have recognized otherwise...and save you hundreds of dollars and hours of getting your home back online.

A misconception is that a surge is generally due to lightening, however, power surges can happen because of tipped circuit breakers, short circuits, power outages and the power company, too. If the power company is at fault for a surge, they may replace anything ruined in a claim. But, they may only front you the depreciated value of your item. In addition, it is an enormous hassle and time suck to proceed through a claims process, and re-buy everything you lost.

For a low cost, surge protectors can protect very expensive items (electronics) from having to be replaced, when no one is to blame.

Fire Alarm
Though most people believe in the value of a fire alarm, many have had the experience of one sounding due to something burning in the kitchen, or a other false alarm. All to often, fire alarms will be deactivated simply because they are annoying. Another example of this is the alarm that sounds when batteries are low. The constant beeping is enough to drive anyone nuts, especially when the right batteries aren't In the house.
But taking the batteries out of the detector is not the answer. Replace them as soon as possible and make sure the batteries you have work!

These days, many builders skip the battery operated detector and go straight for an alarm hooked right into your electric. This is great because the nuisance of replacing a battery is never the issue. However, if the electric is out, you could have problems. So, know what type of detectors are in your house and where they are located. Also, make sure they work from time to time.

Carbon Monoxide Detector
The scariest thing about carbon monoxide is that it is colorless, odorless and tasteless. The signs a human experiences can come on slowly, such as a headache, dizziness or sleepiness. You may find yourself laying down (to feel better) only to become a victim of lethal inhalation long before you call for help. It is no joke.

According to Wikipedia, "On average, 170 people in the United States die every year from carbon monoxide produced by non-automotive consumer products. These products include malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters and room heaters; engine-powered equipment such as portable generators; fireplaces; and charcoal that is burned in homes and other enclosed areas. The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) reported 15,769 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning resulting in 39 deaths in 2007 alone."

A detector is less than $5 and can save your life. So, on your next trip to Wal-Mart, grab one!

When owning a home, there are projects everywhere and things to tend to, but none more important than those that can save your life (like fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Or, those things that can save the things you work the hardest for, like surge protectors and insurance. As a homeowner,

Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surge_protector
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide