When you’ve got a family to care for, you want to keep them all safe. So, it can be a constant worry. But the one place where they should be protected from harm is inside your home.
However, there can be a multitude of hazards and security issues that cause you to worry. And this can lead to sleepless nights. Although you can’t plan for every eventuality, you can ensure you’ve covered the basics. Here are the essential steps to make sure your family home is safe.
Check your electrics are safe
We take having electricity in our homes for granted. And apart from times when there’s a power cut or we have a hefty bill to pay, we really don’t think about it. But this means we often forget just how dangerous it can be. So, it’s easy to overlook faulty wiring and sockets and ignore inadequate safety devices. But this is a leading cause of house fires and leaves your family at risk of electrical shocks.
If this sounds familiar, then it would be wise to call in an electrician to take a look for you. They can check everything is in order and give you a report, so you have peace of mind. In fact, getting an electric safety certificate every ten years is recommended for homeowners. It will tell you whether your electrics are installed and working safely and correctly. This includes the earthing, wall sockets and circuit breakers. And if you make any significant additions or changes to your home’s wiring, be sure it’s carried out by a qualified electrician and a certificate is issued for the work.
Maintain your fire safety system
Most of us have at one time or another installed a fire or smoke detector in our home. But when was the last time you checked it was working?
It’s a good idea to check smoke and fire alarms regularly. Every six months is recommended by the Fire Service but some experts think weekly checks should be carried out. So, it may be prudent to do this as often as you have time for. Most models have a test button, making it quick and easy to do. Unless you have a wired or sealed version, you should also change the battery every year. And a gentle run over the casing with your vacuum every so often should help to keep it free from dust build-up. This prevents the sensors from getting blocked.
But there’s more to fire safety in your home. Firstly, it’s a good idea to make sure your children know what the alarm sounds like and what they should do if they hear it. Secondly, you should make sure that you have enough alarms, in the right locations, to cover the whole house.
Ensure appliances are Gas Safe
Although we’ve already covered electricity, it’s not the only source of energy in many of our homes. So, it’s worth mentioning gas safety too. If you have gas appliances in your home, it’s important to make sure they’re safe to use. This includes boilers, hobs and feature fireplaces.
All gas appliances should be checked and serviced annually by a qualified heating engineer who’s registered as Gas Safe. Although gas appliances are seen as safe to use, they can be incredibly dangerous if they’re faulty or badly installed.
But as well as getting your gas appliances annually serviced, you should be sure to have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home. This is particularly important if your gas boiler is situated in a bedroom, but you should have one fitted in every room with a gas appliance.
Increase your home security
Safety isn’t just about the dangers lurking inside your home. So, making sure your home security is adequate will help to give you peace of mind and protect your loved ones. Having a good level of security doesn’t just help to keep your family safe, but it can also lower your household insurance. So, it’s worth keeping it up to date.
What counts as a basic level of home security? Well, you should start with your home’s entry points, including front and back doors, as well as windows. But don’t forget garage and shed doors, especially if you use them for storing power tools, bikes and other expensive items. A locksmith can tell you whether your door locks are adequate and recommend suitable locks to add to your doors and windows.
Next, you should think about adding in extra measures such as alarms, monitoring systems or security lights. Before installing anything, it’s worth checking with your insurer to see whether there are any types of security systems they recommend or prefer you to have.
And there you have it. Once you’ve got all of these elements in your home checked and updated, you can be happy that your family is safe and protected.