Keeping Your Home Environment Safe During Lockdown
Lockdown is a word that has entered the UK’s consciousness, perhaps one that a little over 12 months ago meant little to anyone at all.
Now, it is synonymous with restrictions placed upon our lives. Lockdown means we cannot go out when we want, we cannot work how we wish to, and we cannot spend our leisure time in a manner we are accustomed to. Instead, we are confined to our homes, unable to go out for anything other than the most rudimentary of reasons.
It means much of the UK population is suffering and help is in place. Eastbourne Council has sought to help residents as much as possible, and stories of kindness, goodwill and generosity of spirit are not uncommon. From great adversity comes strength, togetherness and a spirit that will help everyone through these troubling times. That said, the only person who can look after your home is you.
Keeping your home safe, secure and comfortable for you and your family is a priority in these troubling times. People are spending much more time together, working from home as well as living there, and that means a little awareness regarding your surroundings is important. So, we have put together a quick guide to some steps you can take to protect that home environment during the next couple of months.
Separation
The Guardian reports that 24% of the UK population are working exclusively from home, which can lead to confusion between home life and working life. Try to separate your different roles with a physical barrier if possible. If you work in an office, make sure the door is closed out of hours and that you can find another area of the house, unconnected with work, to relax. This will help keep your home environment as a safe space for you, away from whatever pressure work may place upon you.
This introduction of space might be important between partners or family members as well. If you cannot leave the home, you might not be getting the time on your own to think, read, or watch the TV shows you like. Work with those you live with to ensure you all get the time and space you need to switch off occasionally.
Maintenance
Whilst the general environment is certainly important, you may also want to consider the physical environment, the utilities and fabric of your home. Staying on top of basic repairs is more important than ever because a small problem can escalate into a bigger one and you may struggle to get a tradesperson out for general repairs. If you can, having your boiler serviced is certainly a wise option, given that it will have been under more pressure with you in the property for longer periods, and it may prevent a breakdown, especially if you did not manage it in the autumn. As we emerge from winter, it is worth keeping an eye on other potential problems too, such as leaky gutters or pipes. In some instances, you can carry out remedial work with relative ease using items from the internet and tutorials. Do not let little problems begin to pile up, as they can evolve into bigger problems and they may drain you emotionally, too.
Insurance
At a very basic level, your home services will have extra demands placed upon them. You may be using the heating more, or have more appliances draining from the electrical circuits. If these were to fail, then you may find the comfort of your home compromised, especially if a trained engineer was unable to attend quickly as with basic repairs outlined above. That makes some form of additional insurance relevant, depending on what services you are using more. The electrical insurance and breakdown cover on HomeServe, shows how you can add additional elements to the policy too, including plumbing and drainage or gas boiler cover. A homeowner can essentially tailor their coverage as they see fit depending on the requirements, they feel their home has. The policies also usually offer an engineer within 24-hours as standard, which not only means financial peace of mind but a swift resolution to any problems that may occur.
Tidiness
General tidiness might not seem important in these times, but if anything, it is more so. Firstly, by keeping a tidy house, you are cutting down on the potential for trips, slips or other accidents around the home. 6,000 deaths per year occur because of accidents in the home, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, with 2.7 million needing to attend hospital after such an occurrence. Attending hospital in early 2021 could place even more strain on the NHS, so minimising the hazards around the home, thus reducing the probability of an accident, is important.
It is also important for general wellness too. Clutter can be frustrating and if you are unable to move away from your house, it can drain you and drag you down. Clutter and general untidiness can also be a health risk in terms of mould, dust and the like, putting you and your family at risk. Trying to run a tidy home is vital in these troubled times.
