We all want to live in properties that feel comfortable, secure and special, but is your home as safe as you think? When you buy a house, you assume responsibility for upkeep and maintenance. It’s not always easy to keep the plates spinning and stay on top of maintenance and repair jobs. In some cases, faults, defects and signs of damage are also not always visible. In this guide, we’ll outline some common red flags to be wary of and share tips to help you ensure your home is a safe haven.
Common household hazards
We often think about our homes as places where we can go to relax, unwind and escape the daily stresses or strains of work or other commitments. Your home may appear safe and secure, but there could be dangers lurking. It’s always beneficial to be aware of common household hazards and be proactive in reducing risks. Carrying out routine risk assessments, noting down issues and warning signs and addressing problems promptly will help you, your family, visitors and guests stay safe.
The most common types of accidents in the home include slips, trips and falls. It’s not always possible to avoid these incidents, especially if you have young children who are unsteady on their feet, but there are steps you can take to lower risks. These include adding stable bannisters to your stairs, using stair gates if you have small kids, keeping corridors, pathways and staircases free from obstacles, ensuring your flooring is in good condition and alerting people to slippery floors and spillages. It’s also helpful to make sure that everyone has suitable footwear.
Other examples of accidents at home include burns and scalds, cuts and grazes caused by sharp objects, poisoning and electric shocks. To prevent these incidents, it’s essential to keep a close eye on young children at all times, store dangerous substances and products in locked cupboards or drawers and use socket guards.
Carrying out regular risk assessments and identifying and eliminating hazards is the first step to take, but there are many ways you can make your home safer. One important task is to keep up with routine maintenance and basic checks and inspections.
Electrical injuries can be serious and even life-threatening. To keep your family safe and ensure the smooth running of electrical systems and appliances, it’s wise to schedule regular inspections. Contact professional electricians in your local area. They can perform routine checks and safety tests, which will test performance and safety and highlight issues or hazards. You can also take advantage of electrical services to upgrade systems and power supplies and add features, such as a smart meter. It’s critical to avoid trying to undertake electrical jobs yourself. These are specialist tasks, which require advanced training and expertise.
Another important job to include in your maintenance checklist is roof upkeep. The roof of your home acts as a shield against the elements. If it’s damaged or worn, this could result in damp, excess moisture and damage to external walls and structures. Signs of damage and wear and tear include missing or broken tiles, slates, shingles or panels, damaged flashing, sagging and water stains. Scheduling an annual roof inspection is a good idea even if you think your roof is in excellent working order. Tending to minor issues will lower the risk of more complex problems, which can cause extensive damage and push repair bills up dramatically.
It’s beneficial to treat the causes of damp quickly to prevent health issues, such as an increased risk of respiratory illnesses. Leaking roofs are not the only cause of damp. Excess moisture can also be caused by holes and gaps in external walls, which allow water to seep into the property, flooding and condensation. Mould thrives in damp conditions. You may notice black spots on the walls or ceilings, particularly in wetter areas of the house, including bathrooms and cloakrooms. Other signs of damp include discoloured patches in your paintwork, peeling or rippled wallpaper and a musty, stale smell. Avoiding smoking and using air purifiers can also help to boost air quality. This is particularly beneficial if anyone in your family has conditions such as asthma, or allergies.
Electrician
Making your home safer also involves enhancing security. We tend to think of burglaries as events that happen to other people, but any home could be a target. Investing in home security can help you protect your property, your family and all your possessions. You don’t have to break the bank to secure your home effectively. Simple steps, such as locking windows and doors, replacing or repairing damaged or broken window panes or door panels and installing outdoor lighting and a burglar alarm, can have a very positive impact. Adding visible deterrents, including fences and gates, outdoor lighting, cameras and alarms can make your property a less appealing target. Smart appliances, such as doorbell cameras, have become more popular. They enable you to monitor entry points remotely and record footage.
If you travel frequently, or you’re away from home for long periods, it’s helpful to ask your neighbours or a close friend or family member to collect your mail or leave a car in the driveway. Turning lights on and off and opening and closing curtains and blinds can also make it look like somebody is home. You could also explore house-sitting services. This is a great option if you’re worried about security or you have pets, who need looking after during your trip.
Photo by Elina Fairytale
We all want to live in homes that feel special. It’s beneficial to design a home you love, but safety should also be a priority. Your house might look amazing but if you don’t feel safe, it won’t feel like a home. Being proactive in identifying hazards, addressing warning signs and keeping up with routine tests, checks and inspections can help you create a safe haven. It’s also important to secure your home effectively and call upon professional services and experts to help you fix problems and keep critical systems in good working order.
We all want to live in properties that feel comfortable, secure and special, but is your home as safe as you think? When you buy a house, you assume responsibility for upkeep and maintenance. It’s not always easy to keep the plates spinning and stay on top of maintenance and repair jobs. In some cases, faults, defects and signs of damage are also not always visible. In this guide, we’ll outline some common red flags to be wary of and share tips to help you ensure your home is a safe haven.
Common household hazards
We often think about our homes as places where we can go to relax, unwind and escape the daily stresses or strains of work or other commitments. Your home may appear safe and secure, but there could be dangers lurking. It’s always beneficial to be aware of common household hazards and be proactive in reducing risks. Carrying out routine risk assessments, noting down issues and warning signs and addressing problems promptly will help you, your family, visitors and guests stay safe.
The most common types of accidents in the home include slips, trips and falls. It’s not always possible to avoid these incidents, especially if you have young children who are unsteady on their feet, but there are steps you can take to lower risks. These include adding stable bannisters to your stairs, using stair gates if you have small kids, keeping corridors, pathways and staircases free from obstacles, ensuring your flooring is in good condition and alerting people to slippery floors and spillages. It’s also helpful to make sure that everyone has suitable footwear.
Other examples of accidents at home include burns and scalds, cuts and grazes caused by sharp objects, poisoning and electric shocks. To prevent these incidents, it’s essential to keep a close eye on young children at all times, store dangerous substances and products in locked cupboards or drawers and use socket guards.
Creating a safe home for your family
Carrying out regular risk assessments and identifying and eliminating hazards is the first step to take, but there are many ways you can make your home safer. One important task is to keep up with routine maintenance and basic checks and inspections.
Electrical injuries can be serious and even life-threatening. To keep your family safe and ensure the smooth running of electrical systems and appliances, it’s wise to schedule regular inspections. Contact professional electricians in your local area. They can perform routine checks and safety tests, which will test performance and safety and highlight issues or hazards. You can also take advantage of electrical services to upgrade systems and power supplies and add features, such as a smart meter. It’s critical to avoid trying to undertake electrical jobs yourself. These are specialist tasks, which require advanced training and expertise.
Another important job to include in your maintenance checklist is roof upkeep. The roof of your home acts as a shield against the elements. If it’s damaged or worn, this could result in damp, excess moisture and damage to external walls and structures. Signs of damage and wear and tear include missing or broken tiles, slates, shingles or panels, damaged flashing, sagging and water stains. Scheduling an annual roof inspection is a good idea even if you think your roof is in excellent working order. Tending to minor issues will lower the risk of more complex problems, which can cause extensive damage and push repair bills up dramatically.
It’s beneficial to treat the causes of damp quickly to prevent health issues, such as an increased risk of respiratory illnesses. Leaking roofs are not the only cause of damp. Excess moisture can also be caused by holes and gaps in external walls, which allow water to seep into the property, flooding and condensation. Mould thrives in damp conditions. You may notice black spots on the walls or ceilings, particularly in wetter areas of the house, including bathrooms and cloakrooms. Other signs of damp include discoloured patches in your paintwork, peeling or rippled wallpaper and a musty, stale smell. Avoiding smoking and using air purifiers can also help to boost air quality. This is particularly beneficial if anyone in your family has conditions such as asthma, or allergies.
Electrician
Making your home safer also involves enhancing security. We tend to think of burglaries as events that happen to other people, but any home could be a target. Investing in home security can help you protect your property, your family and all your possessions. You don’t have to break the bank to secure your home effectively. Simple steps, such as locking windows and doors, replacing or repairing damaged or broken window panes or door panels and installing outdoor lighting and a burglar alarm, can have a very positive impact. Adding visible deterrents, including fences and gates, outdoor lighting, cameras and alarms can make your property a less appealing target. Smart appliances, such as doorbell cameras, have become more popular. They enable you to monitor entry points remotely and record footage.
If you travel frequently, or you’re away from home for long periods, it’s helpful to ask your neighbours or a close friend or family member to collect your mail or leave a car in the driveway. Turning lights on and off and opening and closing curtains and blinds can also make it look like somebody is home. You could also explore house-sitting services. This is a great option if you’re worried about security or you have pets, who need looking after during your trip.
We all want to live in homes that feel special. It’s beneficial to design a home you love, but safety should also be a priority. Your house might look amazing but if you don’t feel safe, it won’t feel like a home. Being proactive in identifying hazards, addressing warning signs and keeping up with routine tests, checks and inspections can help you create a safe haven. It’s also important to secure your home effectively and call upon professional services and experts to help you fix problems and keep critical systems in good working order.
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