When people own a home it can generate a lot of activity. Folks may seek tips for hiring a carpet cleaning company or need advice on a house extension. There are many things that you can and can’t do in your house. Some of them may be common sense, while others might surprise you. In this article, we’ll discuss 4 things that you should do in your house – and 4 things that you shouldn’t.
1. Do Declutter Your Home
This is the process of organizing and tidying up a house (room by room) by removing any unwanted or unneeded items. These could include:
- Clothes that no longer fit comfortably or are out of style
- Old books, magazines, and newspapers
- Outdated kitchen appliances or broken electrical items
- Old or damaged toys
Decluttering can help reduce stress and make it easier to find what you need. Your house will feel more organized and spacious as a result. In terms of your unwanted items:
- Donate anything in good condition to charity or give them to friends
- Sell them online or hold a yard sale
- Throw them out responsibly, and visit a recycling center
2. Don’t Act Before Doing Research
If you think of something and go straight into action you could make costly or dangerous mistakes. Don’t extend your home without getting planning permission and checking things like insurance and zoning laws. Never choose a contractor to work on your home before you’ve checked their online reviews. Before you install a heating or cooling system check that it’s powerful enough to work in a home of your size.
There are specialist websites that answer all kinds of questions for house owners. They can provide inspiration for home improvements and advise whether it’s legal to have a kitchen in the basement. You can also discover how to get rid of birds in the bathroom vent, maggots in bedrooms and cigarette burns on bathroom sinks.
3. Do Regular Cleaning And Maintenance
Your cleaning routine may consist of vacuuming every week, dusting every other week, and doing deeper cleans less frequently. These things can keep your house in good shape and prolong the life of your household items. There’ll also be better air quality indoors, which is especially important if anyone in your home has respiratory issues such as asthma.
You may own several appliances such as dishwashers, heating and cooling systems, air purifiers, and more. If so, you should regularly check and maintain them to ensure that they’re working properly. Cleaning the filters on your air purifier, for instance, can help it run more efficiently and prolong its life. Also, be sure to get your equipment regularly serviced by a professional where required.
4. Don’t Be Careless About Fire Risks
It’s important to stay aware of what poses a fire risk in your home, and take steps to minimize the potential for any kind of accident. This means keeping an eye on obvious things like candles, stoves, open flames, and flammable liquids. You should also be mindful of other less-obvious risks such as overloaded electrical sockets or frayed appliance cords.
Take proactive measures to make sure you have working smoke detectors and up-to-date fire extinguishers. They can help provide peace of mind that you’re doing all you can to prevent an emergency.
5. Do Keep A First Aid Kit
Having a first aid kit on hand can help you treat minor injuries quickly and easily without having to run to the store or wait for medical assistance. Additionally, it’s important to regularly check that your kit has been restocked with fresh supplies. This way you’ll always be prepared for an emergency situation.
A basic first aid kit should include items like bandages, gauze, antiseptics, tweezers, and scissors. You may also wish to stock up on over-the-counter meds like pain relief medication and antihistamines.
6. Don’t Make Your Home Vulnerable To Intruders
It’s important to consider the security of your home, particularly if you live alone or in a quiet neighborhood. Common mistakes include leaving doors and windows unlocked, not having an alarm/security system, not installing motion detectors and outdoor lighting, and neglecting to trim shrubs or trees that could provide cover for intruders.
To protect yourself from potential break-ins and other security threats, it’s essential to take appropriate steps. These may include investing in quality locking systems (including on your windows) and making sure all exterior doors are equipped with deadbolts. You should also set up an alarm system with sensors on all doors and windows, and use motion sensor lights outside.
7. Do Regularly Check The Roof
Inspecting the surface of the roof can help you identify any potential damage or wear that may need immediate attention. You should also check for any missing, cracked, or damaged tiles and shingles, as well as look out for signs of moss or algae growth. Finally, it’s a good idea to inspect your gutters and downspouts for clogs or debris that could be blocking water drainage.
Don’t go onto the roof unless you’re safe and confident doing so. Otherwise, contact a professional roofer who’ll know what issues to look for. Whilst this will cost you money it’ll be cheaper than paying more later on if any issues get worse.
8. Don’t Ignore The Electricity And Plumbing
It’s wise to call a professional to check your electricity and plumbing at least once a year. Electrical problems like short circuits can cause serious damage to your home, and possibly endanger you or someone else living there.
Plumbing issues such as clogs, leaks, and faulty pressure valves could lead to water damage or flooding. If you discover any plumbing or electrical issues it’s best to get them checked out right away in order to prevent greater problems later on.
These 8 tips have let you know what to look out for and what to maintain. You also know more about the potential risks in your home, and how to avoid them. Thanks to some research, time, and money you’ll be able to steward your house well and secure the well-being of all its occupants
