Your Pre-Holiday Home Checklist: A Home Inspector’s Guide
Before the holidays arrive, here’s a simple Pre-Holiday Checklist you can tackle yourself to keep your home safe, comfortable, and stress-free.
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As a home inspector, I walk through many homes every year, and one thing I’ve learned is that the holiday season has a way of magnifying small issues. Extra guests, heavier appliance use, cold weather, and packed schedules can turn minor problems into major headaches if the home isn’t prepared.
Before the holidays arrive, here’s a simple Pre-Holiday Checklist you can tackle yourself to keep your home safe, comfortable, and stress-free.
1. Test Your Smoke & CO Detectors
Holiday cooking, fireplaces, space heaters, and crowded homes increase risk.
Do this:
Press the test button on every smoke and CO alarm.
Replace batteries if you can’t remember the last time you changed them.
Ensure you have a CO detector on every level, especially if you have gas appliances.
2. Check Your Furnace Filter
Your heating system works overtime during the holidays.
Do this:
Replace the furnace filter if it’s been more than 30–60 days.
Make sure vents are not blocked by furniture or holiday décor.
A clean filter improves efficiency, saves you money, and keeps your home more comfortable for guests.
3. Inspect Exterior Doors & Windows
Cold drafts spread quickly when more people are in the home.
Do this:
Open and close each exterior door; check for sticking, gaps, or loose weatherstripping.
Feel around windows for cold air leaks.
Add temporary weatherstripping if needed.
Small fixes can make a big difference in heating costs and comfort.
4. Clear Exterior Walkways
Snow, ice, and holiday visitors don’t mix.
Do this:
Shovel and salt walkways, steps, and driveway.
Make sure porch lighting works.
Repair loose handrails.
Prevention here avoids slips and falls, which are very common this time of year.
5. Inspect Your Electrical Setup
Holiday lights and extra plug-ins can overload circuits.
Do this:
Check extension cords for damage.
Avoid plugging too many items into one outlet.
Ensure outdoor lights are rated for exterior use.
If any outlet feels warm or trips a breaker, unplug it and get it checked.
6. Clean Your Kitchen Exhaust Fan & Appliance Filters
Holiday cooking puts your kitchen to the test.
Do this:
Remove and wash the range hood filter.
Clean debris from the dishwasher filter.
Vacuum refrigerator coils for better efficiency.
These small tasks help prevent fires, improve air quality, and make everything run smoother when hosting.
7. Test Guest-Use Fixtures
If you’re hosting family, check the things people use the most.
Do this:
Run all faucets briefly, check for leaks.
Flush guest bathroom toilets, make sure they shut off properly.
Ensure tub and shower drains are running clear.
It’s much better to discover an issue now than when someone is already staying over.
8. Look Over Your Water Heater
Cold weather and extra people = higher hot water demand.
Do this:
Listen for unusual noises (popping or banging can signal sediment buildup).
Check for small leaks around fittings.
If it hasn’t been flushed in a couple years, schedule it for after the holidays.
A little attention prevents no hot water disasters during family gatherings.
9. Check Your GFCI Outlets
Bathroom and kitchen outlets work harder during the holidays.
Do this:
Press the “test” and “reset” buttons on each GFCI outlet.
If any outlet doesn’t reset, it may need replacement.
Proper function is key for electrical safety in wet locations.
10. Give Your Home a Quick Exterior Scan
This is something I do at every inspection; simple, but incredibly effective.
Do this:
Look at your roofline for missing shingles or blocked gutters.
Ensure downspouts are directing water away from the house.
Check for loose siding or trim.
These are the small issues that become big ones when winter storms hit.
Most of these tasks take just a few minutes, but each one plays a role in keeping your home safe and problem-free during one of the busiest times of the year. Doing a quick pre-holiday check helps avoid unexpected repairs, prevent hazards, and make sure your home is ready for company,so you can focus on what really matters during the season.
If you ever need a professional set of eyes, Just Call Joe Inspections is always here to help.