Securing your home doesn’t always mean elaborate schemes or forking out a fortune. In fact, when it comes to household maintenance, often the simple solutions are also some of the best.
Here are eight easy ways to make your home safer. They’re speedy, simple, and they might even save you money down the track.
Damage isn’t always instant, and there are a few small improvements you can make today to save you time later.
Remove leaves from spouting and gutters often and repaint surfaces whenever you notice fading paint to keep them in tip top condition.
You can also make sure any sealant between kitchen or bathroom tiles is watertight to help reduce gradual damage.
Make sure all of your bathroom ventilation goes outside and do regular flood tests on your shower to make sure that it’s draining properly.
It also pays to use waterborne enamel paint on walls and ceilings rather than acrylic to help reduce moisture damage.
Set aside a couple of hours to install solar sensor lights outside your house. They don’t need any hard wiring and are a great way to deter intruders.
Keep fences low for better visibility and don’t forget to fit your windows with security stays.
Cool any fireplace ashes you have in a tin before you throw them away and make sure to clean your heat pump regularly so residue doesn’t catch fire.
Stud testers are another great way to help fireproof your home. Use one when you hang things up to avoid damaging any cables inside your walls.
Insulate all interior bedroom walls thoroughly to reduce noise and keep the heat where it counts , and invest in USB-friendly power points to reduce the risk of blowing switches with dodgy transformers.
It’s also a good idea to install smoke detectors within three metres of all bedrooms to help keep you safer while you sleep.
Make it a household rule to throw out any frayed or perished electrical cords as soon as you notice them - it’ll decrease the chance of any shocking surprises.
Another great way to stay safe and savvy with power points is to make sure that no multiboards look overloaded.
It’s also a good idea to install plenty of power points to avoid cords that might trip people up.
Put feet on garden planter boxes for added stability and prune any trees regularly to avoid slippery, leaf-covered surfaces.
If you’re putting down decking or tiles outside, remember to lie them on a gentle slope rather than placing them completely flat. That way, rain and other water will run straight off.
Add grit to outdoor surface paint for added grip and safety.
When protecting your home against the elements, focus on sealing your doors and windows well too.
Paint right to the very edge of any outdoor doors to keep water from leaking through, and draft-seal any windows to keep your home cosy and warm.
