Generally, it is not ideal to suggest that you should actually worry about something, but when it comes to the safety of your home and family, an exception should definitely be made. By worrying about it a little today, you may just save yourself and your entire family from a lot of trouble or even tragedies down the line. So, without any further delay, let us now get straight into the five things every homeowner should take care of to provide a secure home environment to his/her family.
Home Security
Nothing is more basic than the physical security which a home provides and yet, it is certainly the most important one as well. Go through the following tips as we cover the basics and even include some advanced security tips.
The Front Door– There are two aspects to the front door’s security, which are its physical strength and the lock on it. You can’t ignore either because even a steel door can be easily unlocked by a burglar, if the lock isn’t up to the mark, while a state-of-the-art locking mechanism would be of little use on a brittle wooden door with beautifully fragile glass panes on it!
Invest in an updated locking system and a hardwood or even steel front door to enjoy peace of mind during those long holidays. To know more about reinforcing and updating your door’s locking mechanisms, check out the guide here.
Windows– The easiest way to secure windows is to opt for steel grills on them, but a lot of us are not comfortable with them since they do tend to make your home look like a prison!
Boarded windows, on the other hand, are the best route to take if there’s a major storm coming in. If that doesn’t apply to your location, then double-glazed windows are going to do a great job of keeping your home secure even when you are not there. Not only do double-glazed windows provide excellent insulation, but they are also almost impossible to break with conventional means.
Home Security System – If a burglar tries to get in even after seeing that reinforced steel door, a home security system is your last line of defence – and probably the most reliable one as well.
They are set up to trigger the alarms as soon as the residence’s boundaries are breached without authorisation, so that the owners can call the police themselves. However, it is best to have a monitored home security system, where actual security personnel monitor the cameras and the alarms to keep you safe even when you are sleeping or staying away from the property.
Boiler Breakdowns
Imagine a situation where you wake up in the middle of a freezing February night, only to find that your house has turned into the North Pole! This is precisely what happens when the boiler breaks down and it’s not a situation you would ever want yourself or your family to be in during the winter.
Certi offers a whole range of home emergency plans that can not only prevent such boiler emergencies from happening in the first place through regular check-ups and maintenance, but they will also make sure if the boiler does indeed breakdown without warning, technicians will rush to help you immediately after you make a call to Certi’s 24/7 helpline.
Certi covers more than just boiler emergencies though, so consider the Cover 50 Plan which entitles subscribers to complete service in case of pest problems, emergency repairs, electrical problems and plumbing issues at any time of the day or night.
Pest Infestations
In case you notice a rat or a mouse causing problems, you can just catch it and set it free instead of killing it, but when it comes to bed bugs, termites, and cockroaches, it’s not really that easy.
If you are unfortunate enough to have termites, or bed bugs, in particular, do not hesitate to call the pest control services department of your home emergency plan, if it is covered. Otherwise, look for a local pest control expert to come and do the necessary.
A pile of sawdust near any wooden furniture, a strange insect bite or itchy rash in the morning on your back are all bad signs which indicate some measures are to be taken as soon as possible. If you wait too long to call in pest control, you may need to throw away expensive furniture, unhinge doors and even throw away the bed or the couch. You may even have to call in the fumigators!
Electrical Dangers
A home without electricity will essentially put everything from the boiler to the home security system out of action, which is why your home emergency cover plan should also include emergency electrical repairs. At any rate, get yourself acquainted with the basics such as how to fix a blown fuse, how to operate the circuit breaker, understanding the GFCI, and maybe even the basics of electrical wiring.
Other than losing power, you also need to be aware of exposed wires in particular. If the rubber or plastic insulation cover has come undone with time, switch off the main power, tape it up, and call the electrician.
Watch Out for Mould
Depending on the kind of mould you have growing in between the floorboards, in the drainpipes or behind the walls, the effects could range from mild allergies and skin irritation to cancer and death!
When you live in a damp climate, which is very likely here in the UK, mould might be growing in unseen areas and causing respiratory infections, frequent colds, allergies, nausea, fever, incessant sneezing, confusion, memory loss and much more.
Just in case you are unlucky enough to have a Stachybotrysinfestation, also known as black mould, the toxins will eventually kill you or damage your body permanently. See if any of the following symptoms are signs you can relate to yourself or a family member. In case you can, get it checked out by professional mould removal services as soon as possible.
- Frequent respiratory issues and allergies experienced by family members who did not have them before
- Worsening of asthma and allergies in family members who already were susceptible
- Increased photosensitivity and red, itchy eyes
- Night sweats and irregular body temperature
- Muscle cramps, joint pain and nerve pain that cannot be explained
- Tingling sensation and numbness near the extremities
- Unexplained tremors and nausea
- Unquenchable thirst, frequent urination and metallic taste on the tongue
- Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, inability to digest food, etc.
- Amnesia, confusion, brain fog, inability to recall, lack of focus, hallucinations and migraine
A home is a lot of things, but first and foremost, it’s a shelter that protects you from all the dangers of the outside world. We may not live in caves anymore, but that is a fact which has not changed even after millions of years. Whether the danger comes from within or outside the house, a wise homeowner is always prepared and ready for it.
Now that you are both aware of the possible dangers and the solutions to each of them, just take the necessary steps and stop worrying so much!
Collaborative Post
Leave a Reply