Inspect the Exterior of your home.

Take some time to walk around your house checking for any damages to caulking or weather stripping around your doors and windows. Inspect your roof for any cracked, damaged, or missing tiles or shingles that need to be replaced. Even if your roof is fire retardant, it doesn't mean it is fire proof.

Clean out your gutters.

Remove debris and make sure downspouts are clear so heavy rains can flow freely off your roof. Down spouts should be pointed away from your house to avoiding puddles near the exterior walls and foundation. Clearing gutters can also prevent home fires as trapped dry brush or leaves can quickly ignite if they come in contact with flying sparks or flames.

Check your heating and air conditioning systems.

Check air filters and replace them. Clean filters will reduce allergens in the air and make your unit run more efficiently. Checking early and often will help you avoid costly expenses and delays in the height of summer season when demand for repairs is higher.

Change the direction of your ceiling fans.

During summer you want your ceiling fans to blow air down (counter-clockwise or in a forward direction). This increases the impact of the summer breeze and can make a room feel up to 8 degrees cooler. Additionally, using a ceiling fan can reduce your air conditioning costs by as much as 40%.

Change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that 2/3 of fire deaths result from fires started in homes without smoke alarms. For your safety and the safety of your family, test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors regularly. Now is also a great time to replace your batteries.

Check your fire extinguishers.

Check the expiration dates on your extinguishers and have everyone in your home review the user manuals. Remember, not all fire extinguishers are made to put out all types of fires. Your fire extinguisher should have an ABC rating telling you what type of fire it was made to extinguish. It is recommended that you have one fire extinguisher for each floor in your home. While a fire extinguisher can put out small fires, your primary goal should always be to get your family out of the house quickly and safely. Have an evacuation plan and practice it with your family. For more information on how to build a fire escape plan visit the National Fire Protection Association website at www.nfpa.org.

Clean dryer vents.

An estimated 2,900 clothes dryer fires in residential buildings are reported to U.S. fire departments each year. Inspect and clean your clothes dryer vent to make sure it is clear of lint and functions properly. A clogged dryer vent will take a longer time to dry your clothes and causes warm air to blow back in to the room eventually raising the temperature in the house. Most importantly, a simple, regular cleaning can prevent a potentially devastating fire.

Update your home inventory.

Spring cleaning is a great time to update your home inventory. Upload photos, videos and descriptions to your online home inventory. As you clean each room in your home, take photos or video of your belongings. In the event of a claim, you will have to list all your possessions and their value. Hopefully you will never have to go through that process, but if necessary, a comprehensive online home inventory will be invaluable.