As you probably know, I have recently taken my first steps onto the property ladder by buying my own house in Cornwall. It might have taken me a while, but now that I have my dream home, I couldn’t be happier.
Until I became a property owner myself, I didn’t realise how much there was to it. Aside from purchasing the property, there is renovating it and, of course, protecting it, to think of.
When it comes to the renovating and decorating side of being a homeowner, that’s easy. But, when I first thought about how to protect my home from things like burglars and flooding, I felt a little overwhelmed.
Keeping your home safe, as well as yourself, there are lots of things that you need to think about. Hence why, I initially, found it all a little overwhelming. I am sure I am not alone in feeling like that, I bet many other young homeowners feel the same.
That’s why I decided to share how I have protected my new home from fires, burglars and floods, so that you can do the same.
Keeping the burglars away
Of all the things that I needed to protect my house from, burglars scared me the most. Just the thought of a stranger attempting to gain entry into my home sent shivers down my spine.
The first thing I would say is on moving in, get all your locks changed. I know it’s unlikely, but what if the old homeowners lost a key or lent one to a friend and didn’t get it back? Do you want to risk someone being able to get into your home?
Call a locksmith and have your front and back door locks changed, just as an extra precaution. While the locksmith is there, you could also ask him to fit chains to both your doors – chains will give you extra peace of mind.
Ensure you invest in a security alarm, would be my next tip. Yes, they are expensive, but can you put a price on safety? Not only do security alarms alert you and the police to the fact that someone is your home, but they also act as a deterrent.
Prevent your home from flooding
Even if your home isn’t located on a flood plain or close to a waterfront, that doesn’t mean that it can’t flood. Yes, your home is less at risk, but if there is a river within a mile, there is still a chance your home may flood, at some point.
I’m sure we all remember watching the horror of the flash floods sweeping through Boscastle in 2004. These horrific floods destroyed homes, businesses and even overturned cars; they were terrible. I’m sure that we don’t want a repeat of these floods happening to our homes, which is why investing in flood protection is a must.
Aside from sandbags, there are also many other flood defence options to choose from. Today, there are various companies that sell easy-to-construct flood defences. Most of these are lightweight and easy to store, perfect for using to protect your home. You might not think that your home will flood, but surely, it’s better to be safe than sorry?
Keeping your home safe from fire
One of the worst destroyers of homes, and often lives, is fire. While ensuring that your switch off your cooker before going out or to bed will help to prevent a fire, that isn’t all you need to do.
One of the most common causes of fires is faulty electrical wires, which is why it’s crucial that you get them checked once a year. It’s also important that you invest in good quality smoke detectors and place one in each room of your house.
While at first, knowing how to protect your home from fires, theft and floods can be overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. To ensure that your home is adequately protected, follow the tips that I have mentioned.