3 Ways to Avoid Scary Repairs Around the House

Halloween is almost here. With sweet treats and silly tricks around every corner, you've probably prepared yourself for a few frights this season. But what about the scares that you don't expect? There are few things more frightening than trying to fix a broken appliance on your own. To protect your home and your family, use these three strategies to keep Halloween tricks away from your appliances and systems. 

1. Inspect your systems regularly 
Often your home appliances and systems don't break down with a bang. Many times it's a process that worsens over time until the problem causes the appliance to stop operating completely. Regular inspections can help alert you to problems before they do serious harm. It's especially important to do regular checks of your HVAC, electrical and gas systems. If your lights are flickering or your air conditioner is making strange noises, do a visual inspection to see if you can spot any problems. If you can't identify the issue, consider calling in a professional before the situation gets worse. 

2. Keep your appliances clean 
Cleaning probably isn't your favorite part of the day, but it's important for more than just appearances. Keeping your appliances and systems clean can protect against early breakdowns, Good Housekeeping magazine reported. Problems can result when dust, dirt or other particles gather on your appliances and systems, so be sure to dust them off and clean the components regularly. However, Angie's List warned that it's important to avoid getting water or cleaning product on electrical parts. Cleaning won't do much good if you end up short circuiting your appliances in the process. 

3. Purchase a TotalProtect home warranty if you haven't already
Even with all the necessary precaution, you'll likely still experience breakdowns in your home. And too often, these problems occur at the least convenient time. That's why it's so important to have a home protection plan from TotalProtect. When you protect your home with a TotalProtect plan, you won't face problems alone. When an appliance or system breaks down, we'll send one of our pre-screened service providers to assist you. Your home will be back in working condition in no time at all, no tricks involved, allowing you to enjoy the treats of the holiday in peace. 

The information in this article is intended to provide guidance on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.