Summer home maintenance checklist

ENERGY STAR recommends inspecting, cleaning or changing air filters once a month in a central air conditioner, furnace or heat pump.

Shut it off and call a technician rather than running it until it fails on the hottest day of the year.

The National Weather Service advises using air conditioning or spending time in air-conditioned places during extreme heat, and warns not to point a portable fan at yourself when the room is hotter than 90°F.

EPA advises using air conditioners or dehumidifiers when needed to control indoor moisture.

EPA advises running the bathroom fan or opening the window when showering, so moisture leaves at the source.

EPA advises fixing plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible and drying everything completely.

Ready.gov's wildfire advice is to find an outdoor water source with a hose that can reach any area of your property.

EPA requires renovation, repair and painting that disturbs paint in a home built before 1978 to be done by a lead-safe certified contractor.

Roof work is safest in dry, settled weather and belongs to a licensed, insured roofer.

Ready.gov says the Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 and advises de-cluttering drains and gutters, bringing in outside furniture and considering hurricane shutters.

Ready.gov advises creating a fire-resistant zone free of leaves, debris or flammable materials for at least 30 feet from the home.

Railings and stair treads take the most weight in the season they are used most.

A nest that is large or awkward to reach is a job for a pest control professional, not a ladder and a can.

The US Fire Administration says to test alarms monthly and to replace a smoke alarm 10 years from its manufacture date.

The US Fire Administration says heating equipment and chimneys should be cleaned and inspected each year by a professional, and the calendar fills the moment it gets cold.