Playing It Safe
Conduct a thorough check for any safety hazards when you are getting your house ready to put on the market. You may be accustomed to the worn tread on the stairs, toys in the hallway, or closets that deposit their contents at your feet when the door is opened, but strangers won't be as intuitive as you are. They will be vulnerable to those little "hazards" as they walk through your home, turning on the faucets, opening closet doors, and going up and down the stairs.

The stairs are a good place to begin your safety check--could someone tall accidentally bang their head on a beam, pipe or the ceiling as they go up or down? Is the carpeting on the stairs securely fastened? An area rug should have a non-slip mat underneath.

Safety is important because someone who is injured in your home could sue you for damages. This doesn't happen often, but if it does, it can be extremely unpleasant. "Better safe than sorry" applies to houses as well--especially when they are for sale.