Top 4 Safety Items For Sellers and Homeowners!

Certain safety issues have been popping up time and time again this year for my sellers and buyers so whether you are thinking of buying or are a current owner, these items should be taken care of today!  Don't wait until you are selling a home, these will protect your families safety!

#1- Steel Barrier Post
The Municipality of Anchorage requires a steel post in front of your gas appliances in the garage.  It's simple and inexpensive to install!  But you do need to have a drill that can drill holes in concrete so hire a handyman if you don't have the right tools.  The post can be purchased from
Central Plumbing and Heating in Anchorage located at 212 East International Airport Road, Anchorage, AK 99518.  The handout from the Municipality with guidelines can be found here at https://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/development/BSD/Handouts/handoutm02.pdf .



 #2 Fire Caulk Penetrations In the Garage
Any drywall holes in your garage should be sealed by either mudding and taping them or a fire resistant sealant.  Especially around pipe penetrations where the heat from those pipes can deteriorate the seal over time, check them often and add a little sealant when needed.







#3 GFCI's In Your Kitchen

GFCI protection is require for all outlets in your kitchen.  Sometimes one outlet or a break in your electrical panel will provide the protection without the push button GFCI outlet being installed.  Check your outlets with an inexpensive tester that can be bought at a hardware store and then have the proper outlets installed.  GFCIs are needed other places inside and outside your home and for more information, visit muni.org!

#4 Smoke and CO Detectors
Where do you need smoke detectors?  In each bedroom and one on each floor of your home.  Where do you need a CO detector, one on each level of your home and if there are bedrooms on that floor, outside the bedrooms.  Test them with each time change in Alaska.  If they are 10 years old, toss them and install new ones!  Visit http://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/development/BSD/Pages/HomeOwnersFAQ.aspx for more information!