Written by Clara Beaufort
You probably like to think of your family home as an oasis: once you shut the door behind you, you can relax and escape your stress. But sometimes, our homes are not quite as safe as we’d like to assume. In addition to cleaning your home regularly to protect everyone in your household from getting sick, you may be wondering if there is anything else you can do to make your home a safer place. Thankfully, you can ensure that your home is a sanctuary with a few relatively simple changes. These tips will help you keep your family safe at home this year.
Eliminate Harsh Cleaning Solutions
Seek out alternatives to store-bought cleaning solutions like Lysol, which can contain harsh and irritating chemicals. Instead, use chemical-free supplies that can effectively eliminate dirt and grime, like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and tea tree oil. Using lemon can also make your home smell fresh! If you have any workout spaces in your home, like a yoga studio or personal gym, you can combine these ingredients into DIY cleaning formulas to scrub your floors, wipe down equipment, and ensure that the room doesn’t harbor bacteria and mold. It’s important to clean these spaces on a regular basis, as germs can easily thrive where people exercise and sweat.
Repair Your Appliances
Appliances like your oven, refrigerator, portable heater, and dishwasher that are in disrepair may pose unforeseen dangers like a fire hazard due to an electric short or sparking. Preventative maintenance can be done yourself (e.g., wiping down fridge coils and cleaning out your dishwasher filter), but when an appliance is showing signs of breaking down you’ll need to call in a pro.
Your home’s HVAC system should also be addressed, as you don’t want to be caught without heat or AC when you need it most. You can prevent breakdowns when you schedule an annual HVAC tune-up, as a technician will check for red flags and repair them before they become major issues.
Door Security
Keeping your exterior doors secure is essential. Concerned about the efficacy of your locks? SFGate recommends picking up a lockset at a local hardware store to replace them, but your best bet may be hiring a locksmith for the job. A reputable locksmith will be licensed and insured and offer warranties for their work. You can find local professionals on sites like Angi and check reviews and feedback from past customers. Once you know that your lock is durable and reliable, you’ll be able to sleep easier at night.
If you want to keep an eye on your yard at all times and protect your property from package thieves, consider investing in a video doorbell. When you have a video doorbell, you’ll be able to see who is at your door before you answer it. And if you happen to be out of town, or simply unable to get to the door, you can communicate with your visitor through your smartphone.
Improve Outdoor Lighting
Besides investing in smart tech for your home, there are other low-tech ways to deter unsavory characters from targeting your household. Simply improving your outdoor lighting in your front and back yards can provide additional security. Consider hiring a professional to install landscape lighting. When your property is well-lit, potential burglars or vandals will be discouraged from paying a visit to your home.
Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms
You probably already have a few smoke alarms in your home, but you should also purchase carbon monoxide detectors to place around your house. You cannot smell, taste, or see carbon monoxide, which makes it exceptionally dangerous. The Spruce suggests placing at least one detector on every floor of your house. You should also make sure to install a detector in every sleeping area for extra protection.
When your family’s safety is on your mind, the best thing to do is take action. If your loved ones spend most of their time at home, it’s more important than ever to take these steps. Whether you’re worried about your city’s tap water quality or the possibility of a break-in, a few minor investments can go a long way when it comes to bringing you peace of mind.
Price & Co. Real Estate offers exceptional customer service and can help you with all your real estate needs. Call (303) 955-5571 to learn more!
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