While making your house 100% safe is a tall order, there are still things you can do to make it as safe as it possibly can be. Everything you do towards this end is well worth it and gives you extra assurance that you and your family or friends will be in a safe environment. If you are unsure of where to start, the following seven tips will guide you.
1. Install a Home Security System
There were 225,900 recorded burglaries in Australia in 2017. This translates into one home robbery every 3 minutes. Further, it was reported that it takes 75% of burglars a mere 5 minutes to enter a home. A home security system could act as a deterrent to such unlawful intrusions.
Sometimes, all it takes is a sensor on or around the property to alert you when someone tries to gain entrance into your property. An alarm system works just as well. As soon as it goes off, the intruders will want to leave as quickly as they possibly can.
Once installed, try and display a sticker that says your home or office has a home security system. This is an excellent way to stop burglars from going anywhere near your house.
2. Be Aware of the Dangers of Asbestos
Not all hazards in your home come from external sources; sometimes, the greatest dangers lie within the house. One of these hazards is asbestos. While most modern constructions stay clear of asbestos, buildings that were put up before 1989 may have the compound. Asbestos has been linked to mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer) as well as other health conditions. When inhaled or ingested, microscopic asbestos fibres work their way to the lining of the lungs, abdomen and heart. Over time, they create inflammation and scarring which leads to mesothelioma tumours. For these reasons, any existing asbestos has to be maintained and removed correctly and professionally.
If you live in an old building or have office space in an old building, it is imperative to have a professional conduct an asbestos audit and advice you on the best way forward. Check out http://thresholdenv.com.au/asbestos-testing-brisbane/ if you are looking into asbestos survey, inspection and, testing in your workplace or residential property.
Taking control of this silent killer prevents it from causing harm to you, a member of your family or even your employees.
3. Deal With Mould
Mould is not as dangerous as asbestos, but it can cause respiratory health problems for those living in your house. The symptoms are even worse for young kids, the elderly, people with compromised immunity as well as people with existing conditions such as asthma.
Mould thrives in dark and damp places. The great news is that there are ways to control and eliminate mould.
Here are a few tips:
* Aerate your house as much as possible. Australia is bestowed with good weather most of the year. Take advantage of this and open your windows as much as possible to allow air circulation and natural light. This makes it harder for mould to thrive and multiply as it prefers dark and damp areas.
* Avoid leaving wet or damp clothes inside the house. Sun-dry them instead.
* For hard to reach areas like under bathtubs and sink, a water and vinegar solution can kill any spores before they multiply and can eliminate the mould.
4. Ensure Timely Service of your Electrical
Sometimes, maintenance and service of electrical installations get overlooked as long as everything is working well. However, it's essential to have an electrician come in from time to time and look at your wiring and appliances to make sure everything is functioning well. Aside from ruining your appliances, an electrical fault can cause a fire.
5. Smoke and Leak Detectors
These gadgets alert you if something is burning or if you have a gas leak. A timely alert can allow you to do something about it before it gets out of hand.
Ensure to change the batteries every so often so that they are functional, or let a professional link it up with your electrical system so it can run on your central power.
6. Use Power Timers
For instances when you are away on vacation, use a power timer to turn your lights on at sunset. What this does is to make your house look occupied at night even when there is nobody in the house. Most burglars will strike when no one is home.
The timed lights are also useful for when you come home late. Interrupting a robbery is something that can leave you or a member of your family traumatised or even injured. So discouraging a break-in in the first place is the best way to go.
7. Child(and adult proof)Your Home
If you have kids, you already know they are walking trouble finders. If there is an accident in waiting, they will get into it. For this reason, childproofing is necessary and not only for the very young ones but also slightly older kids as well. Adults also get into their fair share of slips and falls.
Here are a few areas to pay attention to:
Tuck or staple down any running cords. These could be power cords from appliances to sockets. They should be well out of the way. Ideally between the appliance and the wall.
Keep knives, forks and any sharp objects in lockable drawers.
Ensure any low cabinets with drawers are lockable. A child can pull out a drawer and seriously injure themselves.
Have several anti-slip mats in your bathroom to ensure no one takes a fall. Lock away all medicine as well.
If you have a loose carpet, use smaller area rugs to hold it in place, or use furniture to hold it down and prevent ruffling.
Conclusion
Home safety is paramount as compromises can lead to severe repercussions including fatalities. While it might be difficult to eliminate all hazards, you can take steps to make your home safer. Consider the above tips and gradually scale up things.
