December Homeowners’ Guide: Closing the Year With a Safe, Healthy Home
December is one of my favorite months in South Florida. The weather cools down (well… a little), families gather, and we all get ready to close out another year. While most people are thinking about the holidays, I’m still thinking about your home — because December is one of the most important months to make sure everything is running safely and efficiently.
After completing over 100,000 inspections across Southeast Florida, I’ve learned one thing: problems don’t wait for the “right time.” They show up when you’re hosting guests, turning on your heater for the first time all year, or getting ready to leave town. So before the year wraps up, here are a few things homeowners should check to keep their homes safe, comfortable, and ready for 2026.
1. Give Your Heating System a Quick Test Run
Even though we’re in Florida, those chilly mornings and cold fronts happen — and your heater has likely been sitting untouched for months.
A quick test run now can prevent:
That burnt dust smell at midnight
A blower motor that refuses to start
An unexpected HVAC service call during the holidays
If you haven’t tested yours yet, now’s the time.
2. Check Your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
December is the peak season for candles, cooking, baking, and space heaters.
If your detectors haven’t chirped all year… that doesn’t mean they’re working.
Replace batteries, test alarms, and make sure every bedroom and hallway has a working unit. It’s a small step that prevents big problems.
3. Inspect Exterior Lighting
With more deliveries, visitors, and earlier sunsets, good exterior lighting keeps your home safe.
Check for:
Burned-out bulbs
Loose wiring
Motion sensors that aren’t triggering
A quick fix now can prevent trips, falls, and theft.
4. Walk Your Roofline
Holiday decorations can highlight issues you didn’t know were there.
Look for:
Missing shingles
Loose tiles
Gutter blockages
Damaged soffits or fascia
South Florida winter storms may be mild, but roofs don’t take breaks.
5. Schedule Your Pre-New-Year Home Inspection
If you plan to buy, sell, or even just stay put in 2026, December is the perfect time for an annual health check-up for your home.
At Kenco Home Inspections, we offer:
After 23 years in business, our goal is simple: help homeowners start the new year with peace of mind.
A Personal Note From Ken
From my family to yours — thank you for trusting Kenco Home Inspections year after year. We’ve grown our team, expanded our services, and helped thousands of families feel safe and confident in their homes.
As we move into the new year, we remain committed to providing honest, thorough, and reliable inspections from Vero to Fort Lauderdale.
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.
Here’s to a great 2026!
Ken Dolin
Owner, Kenco Home Inspections
561-718-6711
hello@kenco.org
Kenco.org
