Your house can never have too much security, and when it is home to all your belongings, it is completely understandable that you will want to ensure everything is safe at all times. As the cold winter months approach, unfortunately, insurance claims peak. Winter is well known for being the season where properties have maintenance problems and burglary rates increase. However, with this in mind, you can prepare for the cold months and help to prevent these problems from occurring.
Burglaries are not pleasant for anyone involved and the stress it brings can be very traumatic. Sadly, the winter months mean that there are more hours of darkness, which as a result, is prime time for burglars to get to work. Take these following points into consideration and ensure that you have all of them covered all year round.
Locks: This may seem like a very obvious point but, surprisingly, it is one that many homeowners forget about. Always make sure that doors and windows are locked when you leave the house and at night time.
Use Lights With Timers: If you know you are going to be out of the house when it is dark or get home late from work often, purchasing timed-lights are an extremely worthwhile investment. These lights will turn on at a specific time and give the illusion that someone is in the house.
Update Your Alarms: Making it clear that your home has an alarm system will warn burglars off and alert you right away in the unfortunate event of a break-in or unusual activity.
Keep The Garden Tidy: A messy garden is an immediate sign of a neglected house or vacant property, which is why it is necessary to keep your garden well maintained. A well-maintained garden will prove that you take pride in your home and stay on top of it.
In terms of home maintenance, the cold weather can be a direct problem for factors such as plumbing and insulation. Ensure that you check your house thoroughly before the winter months arrive so that you aren’t faced with expensive problems that could have been avoided.
Check Your Piping: Water damage from burst pipes is a very common problem in winter months, but luckily, can be easily avoided. Ensure that your home has the best type of insulation available and that pipes are properly lagged.
Clear Gutters: Gutters easily become blocked in the winter months due to falling leaves and other debris. Blocked gutters lead to frozen water, which stops the gutters from doing their job and can also cause hazards.
Set The Heating: Ensure that the temperature of your property stays above freezing point by setting your timed thermostat accordingly. The last thing you want is to return to a freezing home!
If you are worried about your empty property being vulnerable this winter, make sure it stays protected to reduce the risk of potential hazards. Considering the idea of guardian housing gives the opportunity for guardians to live in your home while you are away for long periods of time, making sure that it continues to run efficiently through the colder months.
Although homes are naturally more vulnerable throughout winter time, the risks can be minimised and you can have a stress and cost-free season. Keep all these mentioned factors in mind and you will have nothing to worry about.
[…] home improvement projects like cleaning out the gutters and prepping the home for the winter might seem like nothing more than a chore, it actually keeps your home safe. Neglecting to keep up […]
You have some great reminders in this list. Also if it snows while away it’s worth considering paying someone to shovel so the house doesn’t look uninhabited.