4 Tiny Ways You Could Be Making Your Home Less Safe
We tend to feel safest when we’re in our own homes but, in fact, you could have an inflated sense of security when you’re in your own domain. Despite taking steps to secure your home, you could inadvertently by reducing your safety in many ways. To combat this, take a look at these 4 tiny ways you could be making your home less safe:
Not Having HVAC Units Serviced
If your HVAC system seems to be working okay, it’s tempting to postpone having them serviced. After all, why pay for a service when nothing seems to be wrong? Sadly, this is a mindset that can result in increased costs over time and one which could your family at risk.
Without regular servicing and cleaning, your HVAC system won’t operate as efficiently as it could, which generally means higher running costs. In addition to this, unknown faults can worsen over time, potentially reduce the quality of the air inside your home and increasing the risk of a major catastrophe, like a fire or electrical short.
Not Checking Your Roof
Few homeowners check their roof regularly, mainly because it’s so difficult to access. However, if you aren’t going to check the roof yourself, it’s important to hire a roofing company to do it for you. If roof tiles are damaged or missing, rain can easily seep into your home. It won’t take long for the damp to set in, which means joists will begin to rot and potentially make the structure unsafe. In the meantime, you’ll find that damp can cause mold to form, which can put your health and well-being at risk.
Not Checking Lint Drawers
If you use a washer or dryer, it’s vital to check lint drawers every time they’re used. Lint is a major fire hazard, but removing the lint from the drawer is all you need to know to minimize the risk. It only takes a few seconds to do, yet many homeowners remain unaware of the dangers or simply forget to empty the drawers. By making it part of your regular routine, you can reduce the risk of a fire breaking out and substantially increase your home safety.
Using Too Many Extension Cords
Extension cords can prove to be very useful from time-to-time, but they shouldn’t be used on a permanent basis. Similarly, you should never plug one extension cord into another or use too many around the home. This overloads the electrical circuits in the property and increases the risk of an electrical short or overheating. If you do need to use an extension cord, be sure to make it a temporary solution and choose a model that contains in-built surge protection.
Keeping Your Home Safe
If you want to make your home as safe as possible, it’s important to think strategically about maintenance and repairs. By carrying out minor repairs when they’re needed and keeping your home well-maintained, you can make your surroundings safer and save money in the long-term.
