How to make your house safer

Research from RoSPA has found that the home is the most common place for an accident to happen, with a cost of £45.63 billion to the British economy annually. Home is the place where we expect to be safest, so these statistics may be surprising and unsettling.

However, there are ways we can take safety into our own hands and reduce the risk of these incidents occurring. Here are a few proactive steps you can take to optimise your home for safety.

Make sure walls and doors are fire-resistant

Did you know that it’s possible to make the doors in your home less of a fire hazard by varnishing them and coating them in a special fire-resistant paint?

If you have a timber door that you want to preserve, simply varnishing it will increase its fire resistance without compromising on aesthetics.

For a solution that offers the greatest protection against fire, of course, opt for a fire door.

You can make your walls more fire-resistant too, using fire-resistant plasterboard. GTEC fireboards are a good product to look for. They’re available in different thicknesses; there’s a standard 12.5mm thickness or a 15mm tapered-edge plasterboard that works well for stud partitions, wall linings and ceilings.

Keep alarms in working condition

The official guidance is that you test your smoke detectors once a week by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds. The battery will probably need changing once a year, unless you have a ten-year alarm.

It’s recommended that you have at least one smoke detector on each level of your home, as the kitchen isn’t the only place where a fire can start.

Heat alarms are better suited to rooms that get steamy or smoky so that you won’t have to jump out of your skin just because you’ve burnt the toast. These are triggered when the room reaches a certain temperature. Ideally, these need to be tested every week.

Get a gas safety certificate

Landlords and small businesses are accustomed to acquiring gas safety certificates, but did you know that as a home-owner, you can get one, too?

It may not be compulsory for you, but getting a thorough gas safety check will help pinpoint any problems before they become more serious or even, heaven forbid, deadly.

It’ll also come in handy if you sell your house, as potential buyers often want to see such documentation.

Keep the floor dry

Of course, fires aren’t the only cause of home accidents. Slips & trips can result in visits to A&E that you’d rather not have had, so it’s important to maintain a clear, tidy floor which can prevent these occurrences.

Wet floors are a major factor in causing accidents like this. If you can, clean the house when people are out and take measures to dry the floor thoroughly after mopping. Don’t use an excessive amount of detergent as this can make the surface slippery.

Install a smart remote controller

Installing a Remootio 3 to your garage doors and gates can dramatically decrease accidents and improve your home safety. This smart device enables you to remotely monitor them using your smartphone for an effortless experience, with notifications providing real-time updates about whether your doors or gates are open or closed. A smart remote controller system reduces chances of manually mishandling heavy gates or doors and thus the risk of injury. Its encrypted connection keeps unauthorized entry out, providing you with peace of mind and creating a safer living environment.

By taking a few simple steps and thinking about everyone’s welfare, you can make your house safer for yourself and others around you.

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How to keep your home safe

In the UK, the main risks faced by households include fires and floods.

While we shouldn’t expect the same sort of tropical storms faced across other continents; for instance, Hurricane Nicole in Florida, it’s still important to take steps to stay safe. In the following guide, we’ve outlined some of the ways you can protect your family against unforeseen emergencies.

Know the risks

If you live in an area that you know is prone to flooding, you should be prepared regardless of the season. Store flood defences and sandbags in an easily accessible place in your house or garage, and make sure you check the weather forecast during periods of heavy rain.

Keep an emergency kit

We can never predict disasters, so it’s sensible to keep emergency supplies in your home – just in case. Depending on where you live, an emergency kit might include:

Basic first aid supplies and medicines
Water (one gallon per day per person)
Blankets and warm clothing
Head-torch, torches, lanterns and candles
Matches and a gas or charcoal stove
Tinned or other long-life foodstuffs
Solar powered chargers for your electronic devices

Clear exit routes

Ensure that everyone living in the property understands where the fire exit is, especially if you’re living in a flat. Always keep the entrance clear, and check that door closers are working properly.

To keep heated areas properly closed off, it might be worth choosing door closers like these ones from RS. Quality ironmongery is crucial when it comes to fire safety: if your doors can’t close properly, you won’t be safe from heat, smoke and flames.

Get covered

Insurance will prove invaluable in the aftermath of an emergency at home.

It’s imperative to make sure you know what’s covered and what’s not before deciding on your priorities. Choosing the right type of home insurance might initially feel complicated, but it’s usually split into two types:

Buildings insurance

Buildings insurance covers the original structure of your home, plus any permanent fittings and fixtures. These might include kitchen units and complete bathroom suites.

Contents insurance

This type of home insurance covers the cost of replacing or repairing any lost, damaged or stolen personal possessions in your home.

Install smoke alarms

Unfortunately, serious house fires are quite common. However, you’ll be approximately eight times less likely to die in a fire if you have a fully working smoke alarm in your home. When choosing smoke alarms, you should:

Fit at least one on each level or floor of your home
Look out for the British Standard Kitemark symbol
Buy ten-year sealed battery smoke alarms, if possible

After installing smoke alarms in your home, ensure you test them at least monthly. Furthermore, if any are one-year battery operated, aim to change it every year. Only remove the battery when it needs replacing.

Protect important documents

Lastly, you should always keep your important documents safe. Whether you choose a large lockable safe in your basement or a smaller fireproof box, you must keep your most crucial paperwork – such as passports, birth certificates, house deeds etc – protected against fires, floods and theft.

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Price Points: Fire guards

Last week, we ordered a puppy gate for our expectant arrival. This week, we decided that we’d have to order another canine safety accessory; that’s when we went in hunt of fire guards.

We have two wood burning stoves in this cottage and we’re coming into the season where they’re going to be put to use. They have secure, glass doors, so they don’t spit embers out into the room. However, it may take a young puppy a while to realise just how hot and dangerous they can be. To prevent any catastrophes, and until he learns to keep well away, we’ll place a barrier in front of them while they’re chuffing away.

Because storage is at a premium, one that is able to collapse down and fold away when not in use is preferred. I’m completely in love with the antique one from Etsy, it would look fabulous in our house!

Shaylee steel fireplace tool: £31.99, Wayfair
53cm (h) x 50cm (w) x 16.5cm (d)
Ivyline surround fire screen: £98.00, John Lewis
71cm (h) x 50.5cm (w) x 24cm (d)
Antique fire guard: £150.00, Etsy
Approximate measurements 77cm (h) x 120cm (w) x 47cm (d) (when opened)

shop fire guards

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Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Antique fire guard
£150.00

Ivyline surround fire screen
£98.00