Renovating your home carries many benefits. It can allow you to bring further functionality into your household, increase your comfort, make more room, and create new spots that you hadn’t needed until that point (such as a home office), and increase the value of your property. However, if you’re more frugal and want to have a budget, it may just seem like a waste of money. The truth is that home remodelling doesn’t have to be wasteful, though. Of course, if you change things up every few months simply because you’ve become bored with your older furniture, you will most likely end up spending a lot of money and creating heaps and piles of unnecessary waste.
But there are also situations in which renovating simply is the smarter choice. That is most often the case when the project is fuelled by practical considerations. And what could be more practical than wanting to improve the safety of your home? If you’ve recently become a parent, got a pet, or are simply concerned that your home is not as secure as it should be, here are a few of the things you should consider focusing on.
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The entry points
All the places from which someone could enter your home must be secured. Exterior doors should be equipped with deadbolts that enhance security. These locks come with very sturdy metal bolts that extend into the door frame, which makes them much more resilient than the spring-loaded alternative. Installing window stays is a good way to control how far and how many windows can be opened, and can come in handy, especially on the upper floors. They also guarantee that the windows have been properly locked.
Your garage can be made safer if you install automatic doors with sensors. This means that they won’t accidentally close off on either people or objects, a scenario that can do a lot of damage. If you want to be extra safe, you can also add a security system. The alarms will alert you if something is amiss, and the cameras will give you a comprehensive view of what’s going on in your front and back gardens, as well as inside the house if you choose to bring them in. Smart locks on doors have become more popular as well, but you must be able to safeguard the integrity of your Wi-Fi networks if you choose this solution, as unauthorized access will cause a lot of trouble.
Prevent injuries
If you have children, then you already know how prone to injuries they can be. This is precisely why you must have a plan before you start renovating so that the remodelling projects you complete don’t end up impacting the safety of your home, but end up making your household more secure instead. Electricity is one of the primary concerns parents have regarding the well-being of their children. To guarantee that your home is electrically safe, you have to inspect cords regularly.
If you notice they’re damaged, get in touch with a professional from Wave Electrical Solutions right away. The burns and injuries that result from contact with electrical contact are no joke and can endanger life. Getting an electrician to deal with the problem is a must, as handling things on your own is not advisable when you don’t have training and work experience as a professional. They will be able to solve the issue in a way that aligns with your view of what your home should look like, on top of offering cost-effective services and advice for how to avoid the same situation from occurring again in the future.
You should teach your children about basic safety as well, such as not overloading appliances and staying away if their hands are damp. Install childproof outlet covers, secure the appliances and cords, and keep the portable ones, such as hair dryers, blenders, and toasters, locked away in cupboards where they’re out of reach. Bathroom safety is very important as well. Add non-slip mats and anti-scalding tempering valves on your hot water system. These devices mix the hot water with the cold to ensure that the temperature remains consistent at all times.
The environment
Air pollution is a serious concern, but anytime it is discussed, people mostly think about the impact of outdoor air. Indoor air pollution is a real issue, though, with some of the pollutants having an extremely negative effect on your health and well-being. Having good ventilation is one of the most important parts of combating this issue, since all the unhealthy particles will remain trapped inside otherwise. Ensuring that your rooms get plenty of ventilation during the renovation process is crucial, as sanding and painting can lead to a lot of volatile organic compounds leaching into the air.
Using eco-friendly, sustainable products and materials can help as well. Low-VOC paints are readily available nowadays and are particularly suitable for people who are sensitive or prone to allergies, as they can reduce irritation too. Air filtration systems can control the spread of dust and protect your airways, while installing (or upgrading) your heating system to avoid massive temperature variations from one room to another will bring plenty of comfort and make your daily life a little more comfortable.
Additional areas
Installing good lighting can help tremendously where safety is concerned. Not only will having proper lights mean that you don’t risk slipping, tripping, and falling, a situation in which you could injure yourself quite severely. Outdoor and motion-sensor lights can illuminate dark areas around your house, deterring potential intruders from entering. Protect your rooms with the window covers you find most appropriate. You don’t want valuable items to be visible to anyone who might try to look in from the outside.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on every floor, but remember to test them regularly as well. The batteries must be replaced at least once a year, too. All your appliances should be tested regularly as well, so that you’re certain they’re all operating properly.
To summarise, renovations can and do make your home safer. All you need to do is focus on the well-being of your family and let that inform your decisions. Having a good look at your home and determining what’s lacking will help a lot as well.