The Ultimate Home Safety Breakdown
The hardest part of being a homeowner? All of a sudden, the safety of the home is 100% up to us. From foreclosure and repossession to burglars and acts of nature, owning a home becomes much more complicated when we consider every possible threat out there - not to mention ongoing maintenance tasks that keep the home safe. Here’s the ultimate home safety breakdown - from the obvious to the far lesser known:
Know The Legal Parameters
First and foremost, understand that the home can be taken away. Not paying a mortgage is one of the most common ways. But you can also be evicted or lose a home in a divorce proceeding. And there are also unknown elements such as the deeds being signed by someone without mental faculties, environmental issues, and even having your home sold from under you fraudulently. Contact the Law Office of David Pedrazas, PLLC, for legal advice concerning a property and where you stand within the eyes of the legal system.
Install Adequate Security
Security is the most common thing people think of when it comes to home protection. And with good reason. Your home can become the victim of intruders looking to take your valuables or even harm you and your family. Unfortunately, a violent intrusion is common all over the world. But you can reduce the chances of an incident with straightforward security measures. Just having an alarm is usually enough to make a would-be burglar think twice. However, you can also install CCTV cameras, window locks, and flood lights. And a dog is an excellent deterrent.
Protect Your Home from Fire
Within minutes, you can lose everything you need for life, such as passports. And often, house fires can turn deadly. Home fires occur all over the world. But in the USA alone, there are around 350,000 per year, causing over $7 billion worth of damage. And tragically, between 2,000 and 3,000 deaths. Yet any fire expert will tell you that almost all of these are avoidable. Of course, many are avoidable with simple fire alarms, which you should check regularly. But you can also install extinguishers and blankets and make a family evacuation plan just in case.
Take Measures Against Flooding
Alongside fire, flooding can also leave you devastated. Although not usually as deadly as fire, water can cause more structural damage to your home than a blaze. Therefore, it can cost more to repair and take much longer. Typically, a severely flooded house is unrecoverable. And in the event you repair the damage, you are obliged to inform buyers that the home has previously flooded, reducing the chances of a sale. But you can take measures against flooding such as using higher floors as living space, elevating electric devices, and installing waterproof barriers.
Make Checks Before Leaving
You can install all the security features known to man in your home. But they're pretty much useless if you either don't use them or are careless with your attitude towards home protection. For example, a CCTV camera won't do much good if it's facing away from your home. And the best uPVC door and window locks are useless if you don't use them. But you can also unwittingly provide access to your home if you don't check properly. For instance, a ladder left in your yard offers easy access to an upper-floor window. So always do a quick check.
Get the Best Insurance You Can Afford
Of course, you can do all you can to protect your home against fire, flood, and theft. And sometimes that's all you can do. Nothing is going to stop a wildfire or a broken levy. And some criminals are professional and determined to enter your house. Therefore, you can become the victim of any of these. What happens afterward is essential because it determines how easy it is to move on. Insurance is a massive help following an incident. So always get the best you can afford. And if you have done everything to protect your home, your premiums will be smaller.
EXTRA: Energy-Efficient Replacements that Last
The concept of protecting your home extends beyond primary threats. Climate change and sustainability issues play a huge role in modern homeownership. And better use of energy and water means less damage, better efficiency, and low costs. Here are some changes to make:
Energy-rated white goods such as fridges, dishwashers, and washing machines.
Power generating devices such as wind turbines and solar panels.
Gray water recycling tanks that reuse non-drinking water for showering.
Power-saving LED light bulbs that use 75% less energy than standard ones.
Insulated windows and doors that keep the heat in during winter.
Larger windows or skylights that make maximum use of natural light.
Energy-rated HVAC systems or standing fans for hotter climates.
Water flow limiting devices that reduce usage without impacting pressure.
The appliances in your home use the most electricity. Older ones are generally inefficient and use even more. Upgrading to new white goods can save a significant amount of energy. And small devices like LED bulbs and water regulators are a quick and easy way to save even more.
Install Smart Devices
The use of smart technology just gets better and easier. Today, you can get a smart-enabled version of pretty much any device. And these are excellent as a core part of your overall home protection plan. For example, LED bulbs alone can help deter burglars by making it look like you are home when you aren't. You can set timers using Alexa, for example. But you can also go further and make Alexa play music at certain times or switch on your TV. And there are also smart locks, cameras, and video doorbell systems you can easily install for added security.
Hire Professional Cleaning Services
Most homes are built to high standards. But even the best-built house can't stand up to the degrading effects of time. Over time, your home can become infected with harmful mold, grime, and dust buildups. Sometimes in places where you cannot see them. So despite all your efforts to clean your house regularly, there are lingering hazards that require a professional. Professional house cleaners know where the problem areas are likely to be hiding and are trained to use the machinery and chemicals needed to safely remove them.
Maintain What You Can
Hiring professionals is a great way to ensure your home is as clean and safe as possible. But it's expensive to call in the experts regularly. Therefore it's better to do what you can to prevent issues in the first place. Ongoing maintenance is a big part of any homeowner's life. Poor maintenance leads to costly repairs, decreased sale chances, and possible legal action if something bad happens. Yet most essential maintenance tasks don't take much time. These include cleaning the gutters, checking electrical outlets for faults, and inspecting for leaks.
Protect Your Home from Bacteria
Fortunately, modern home cleanliness is much better than it has historically been. But it could be better. In the fight against COVID alone, keeping your property free of bacteria has never been as vital as it is today. And there really is no excuse. You can purchase a bottle of anti-bacterial spray for less than a cup of coffee. And all you need to do is a quick wipe down at the end of the day. You should pay attention to problem areas around taps and basins, hard surfaces like kitchen counters, and hygienic devices such as toilets, baths, and showers.
Regularly Inspect the Outside
Most people focus on protecting the inside of their homes. And you probably do this yourself. You have cameras inside, always keep your house clean and have emergency alarms installed. These are all excellent things to have and will help keep you safe. But it's also important to remember that many threats come from outside and can damage the inside. For example, you should look for early signs of damage if you live in a wildfire area. Or check nearby rivers if you live on a floodplain. And regularly inspect windows for damage, and clear your gutters after rain.
Install Clean Air Devices
The air you breathe can have a direct impact on your overall health. So it pays to make your air as clean as possible. With HEPA air purifiers, you can remove some of the most harmful contaminants from the air. Which directly results in reducing the symptoms of health issues like asthma and allergens. However, you will also do your house a service. HEPA filters can absorb harmful chemicals such as cigarette smoke, cooking grease, and mold spores. All of which can stick to your home's surfaces and compromise the look and integrity of common materials.
Summary
There are numerous things you must do to protect your home. Security is a good start, but the concept encompasses much more. For example, you must understand your legal rights to prevent your home from being taken away from you. Also, installing energy-efficient devices will help your home's overall environment. And HEPA filters can protect against harmful chemicals.
