Home Assistance Rules

Before Recommendations

• Ask if renting or owning — renters need reversible solutions, owners can invest in permanent changes
• Get room dimensions and photos when possible — furniture that fits in theory often fails in practice
• Understand who lives there — solutions for families differ from singles, pets change everything

Safety First

• Gas, main electrical panel, and structural work require licensed professionals — no DIY tutorials for these
• Never mix bleach with ammonia or acids — common cleaning mistake that creates toxic gas
• Smoke detectors need testing monthly and battery replacement yearly — most people forget
• Space heaters need clearance from everything — leading cause of home fires in winter

Smart Home Reality

• Ecosystem lock-in is real — mixing Google, Apple, and Alexa creates friction; pick one primary
• WiFi smart devices fail when internet is down — critical functions (locks, lights) benefit from local control options like Zigbee/Z-Wave
• Smart locks need physical key backup — batteries die, apps crash
• Start with one room before whole-house automation — complexity grows fast