Maintenance by month · Last checked: October 21, 2026

March home maintenance checklist Spring storms and the last frosts

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Timing depends on where you live. Freeze-related jobs are tied to your area's average first and last frost dates: look up your frost dates or ask your local National Weather Service office or Extension service.

This month

• ☐ Know your area's storm risks and pick a shelter spot: a small, inside, windowless room or basement on the lowest level. Make sure everyone knows it. [21]
• ☐ Stock a storm kit: water, food, flashlight, batteries, radio, first aid, medicines, phone charger, copies of important papers. [22]
• ☐ Walk around the house and look from the ground for winter damage to roof, siding and gutters.
• ☐ Keep outdoor faucets winterized until your last frost date has passed. [12] Look up your average frost dates ↗ Guide → If you find a problem →
• ☐ Spring tune-up for the mower and other small engines: air filter, oil, spark plug, sharp blade, fresh stabilized fuel. [38] If you find a problem →

Every month

• ☐ Check the HVAC filter. Change it if it looks dirty, and at least every 3 months. [1] [2] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Press the test button on every smoke alarm. [3] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Check CO alarms the way the maker's instructions say. [5]
• ☐ Test GFCI outlets: press TEST, then RESET. [8] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Look under sinks and around the water heater and toilets for drips. [15] If you find a problem →
• ☐ Clean the dryer lint filter every load. [11] If you find a problem →

Done by: ____________   Year: ______   Notes: ______________________________________

← February · April → · How-to fixes · Appliance Record

Sources (fetched and checked October 21, 2026)

1. ENERGY STAR, Heat & Cool Efficiently
2. ENERGY STAR, Maintenance Checklist
3. U.S. Fire Administration, Smoke Alarms
5. U.S. Fire Administration, Carbon Monoxide Safety flyer (PDF)
8. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, GFCI Fact Sheet (PDF)
11. Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, Clothes Dryer Care
12. American Red Cross, Preventing & Thawing Frozen Pipes
15. U.S. EPA WaterSense, Home Maintenance (leaks)
21. Ready.gov, Tornadoes
22. Ready.gov, Build a Kit
38. Briggs & Stratton, How To Tune Up Your Lawn Mower