A Healthy Home Equals A Happy Homeowner

A Healthy Home Equals A Happy Homeowner

Home is where the heart is, and you deserve to fall in love with yours again and again. It’s the oldest cliché in the book, but it certainly rings true: if you take care of the property, it will take care of you. Therefore, knowing how to keep your house in the best condition while also considering your needs is hugely rewarding. Build a strategy that focuses on the following features, and you won’t go far wrong.

Home Security

If nothing else, your home should be a place that allows you to relax and forget about the stresses of the outside world. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to do this when you are burdened by the fear of theft or an intrusion. Prevention is the best form of protection, which is why investing in the best CCTV cameras is advised. Alarm systems can be further supported by better lighting, automated gates, and other deterrents. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Joining (or starting) a Neighbourhood Watch scheme can be a very wise move. Still, it’s imperative that you take responsibility for your property. Aside from protecting your finances and family, it’ll deliver the peace of mind you deserve.

Energy-Efficiency 

Going green inside the property delivers a plethora of rewards. However, there should be no doubting that the financial incentives are among the most beneficial aspects. When you use less energy, your utility bills see a significant reduction. Double glazing, improved roofing, LED light bulbs, and efficient appliances are all great additions. Habitual changes, from turning off electronics to using chemical-free cleaners will help too.

An eco-friendly home should additionally enjoy a far happier atmosphere. The air quality can improve while the knowledge that you’re helping society works wonders too. In some cases, government schemes may even cover the cost of the upgrades.

light bulb, energy efficiency

Moisture Protection 

Most homeowners primarily worry about the threat of burglars entering the home. In reality, you are far more likely to experience the unwanted presence of water, either from leaks inside the home or from rainwater entering the property. You can learn more about penetrating damp here to gain a better understanding of how to spot and treat the damage. A quick response will stop the damage from spreading, which will protect the home’s structural integrity as well as your family’ health.

Conversely, untreated damp or leaks from your water pipes can lead to mould growth and other health hazards. Moisture damage is often attributed to underlying issues with the guttering, brickwork, or mortar pointing. A professional can investigate these issues on your behalf.

Climate Protection

While attending to existing problems that have surfaced in the property is vital, your attention shouldn’t end there. Damage caused by adverse weather can significantly harm your property. It subsequently puts your health and finances at risk. Flood barrier defence systems may be required if you live in a part of the country with heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, heavy winds have become a more frequent occurrence in recent times, and must be addressed.

First and foremost, the investments will deliver peace of mind while also preventing damage. However, it should be noted that the right additions can potentially reduce your home insurance quotes. This is another reason to smile.

Garden Activity

gardening, happy house

The garden is a part of the property that can add a whole new dimension to your daily life. In fact, gardening can actively improve your health, especially if you grow produce. In truth, simply spending more time surrounded by tranquillity can aid physical and mental health. No two homeowners or families have identical tastes or requirements. Nonetheless, beautifying the outside spaces while also adding some home comforts is ideal.

Some examples include creating a deck, a Bbq area, or a swimming pool. Lighting, heating, and rattan furniture will extend the fun. Most importantly, though, good maintenance can prevent blocked gutters and other unnecessary damages.

Safety Notifications

Homes are supposed to be lived in. The upshot of COVID-19 means that yours is probably busier than ever. As such, it is very likely that problems will surface from time to time. You can discover more about smart technology to alert you of potential problems in the home. The latest facilities even offer remote monitoring, allowing you to respond to dangers in an instant. Monitoring all aspects of the home in this way will pay dividends.

The harsh reality is that the dangers inside the property easily outweigh the things you fear outside. Therefore, it’s equally important to add smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. These are not issues you can take risks with.

External Features

Roofing, windows, and doors aren’t only crucial for eco-friendly reasons. They also have a telling influence on the health of your property. Overflowing gutters or broken roof tiles may lead to leaks. Similarly, ill-fitting windows and doors impact the home as well as your quality of life. Meanwhile, some of those issues may encourage pests into the home. This is the type of nightmare that no homeowner wants to face.

The health and condition of your brickwork and paint jobs can actually add an extra barrier of protection against the weather. Better still, it’ll put you in a far brighter mood as you return home each night. Don’t forget it.

Ongoing Cleanliness

Sorry to borrow another cliché, but cleanliness is next to godliness. Aside from protecting your family, it stops the threat of bacteria or pests damaging the building itself. Cleaning with robotic vacuums and a range of other tools will serve you well. Meanwhile, good organisation skills make the property more welcoming and free from hazards. Once you embrace winning habits, keeping up the good work should remain a fairly simple task.

Every family deserves a cleaner home, but only you can take responsibility to make it happen. A strong decluttering session coupled with smarter décor choices will make the perfect start. Complete this with a clear cleaning schedule.

Conclusion

When you go the extra mile to keep the property in great health, there’s every chance that your home life will improve. The almost immediate results are followed by lasting success too. No homeowner could ever ask for more.

Child-Proof Your Car For Maximum Safety

Child-Proof Your Car For Maximum Safety

The running of your family car will likely involve lots of journeys with your kids. Whether it’s trips to the grocery store, school runs, or friends houses for playdates; you’ll want to be taking all the precautions that you can to keep your kids safe on board which means taking time to child-proof your car.

Child-Proof Your Car: Consider Your Car Seats 

 Car seats are incredibly important when it comes to child-proofing your car. The seats will keep your children in place when driving and protect them in an accident. You’ll know that young children are too little to use a normal seat belt, so a car seat is an essential purchase for them until they are old enough to go without. You need to shop around for the right kind of car seat for your needs, and you should ensure that the seat is installed correctly so that it can do its job.

Generally speaking, infants will have a rear-facing car seat and later on, when a child is around three or four years old, they will move onto front-facing car seats. Booster seats can be used for children who become too big for a car seat but still need a little support. Make sure you are aware of the legal updates regarding booster seats.

Child-Proof Your Car Journey: Choose Toys Wisely 

While you’ll want to keep your kids entertained, you won’t want to give them any toys that they could choke on. You also won’t want to give them any toys that could be dangerous in the situation of hard braking or a crash. Soft toys are best, plus the use of kid’s music and similar. With this in mind, make sure the floor of your car is clean of any objects that could be harmful to your kids. Clear your car of anything that could get in your way while you are behind the wheel. Ensure never to place any objects close to your pedals that could get stuck. All common sense but worth reminding yourself of.

Child-Proof Your Car Journey With Regular Maintenance 

This is something that I’ve written about before, Regular maintenance is essential to keep everyone in your vehicle safe. Ensure that you get your car serviced often and always inspect your vehicle before you start each journey. Check your tyres, underneath the bonnet and the interior of your car to make sure that all is safe and well. If you keep on top of your maintenance checks, you’ll reduce the likelihood of problems occurring when you’re on the roads.

Teach Your Children About Car Safety 

You should teach your kids about the importance of wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle at all times. If they understand the dangers involved, it’s more likely that they will help you to help them. In addition to this, never leave your kids unattended in a vehicle, no matter what. Hot cars are a dangerous environment for children to be left in. It’s always better to stick together; even if you are only popping into the store for a minute.

 When it comes to keeping your kids safe in a car, there’s much to think about! But as long as you service your vehicle, get the right car seats and help your kids to learn about safety- you’ll be well on the right track! 

 Top Tips:

Before you take your kids on a road trip, remember to have a first aid kit to hand and plenty of water too. On longer journeys, children can become more agitated so it’s best to keep these to a minimum if you can help it. If you need to take a longer trip, allow yourself regular breaks and plan the journey in detail so you do not get distracted.