Safe as Houses this Christmas
Christmas can be an extra demanding time for your home. First of all you need to protect it against the elements, as wind, rain, ice and snow can wreak havoc on your treasured abode. The festive season is also unfortunately a common time for burglars to strike, so protection is required here too.
Safeguarding your house against the elements will save you home insurance hassles further down the line. You can begin by doing a quick check around the outside of your house looking for any nooks and crannies where cold air could be pushing its way inside and simultaneously pushing your heating bills through the roof. Entry points of piping, plumbing and ventilation are common culprits for causing drafts, so pay particular attention here and use insulating foam to seal any gaps you find.
On the outside you should also check the roof and replace any loose tiles as these could cause leaks and result in damage to the interior of your home. Furthermore, make sure guttering is cleaned out and free of debris such as leaves and twigs that may have been left behind after autumn.
Finish by checking around doors and windows to see if any air is leaking in and fill any gaps as necessary. Specialist draft excluders can be bought for windows and spending a few pounds on these could save you much more in the long run.
Everyone likes their home to be warm during the winter months and the festive season is synonymous with roaring fires. It is therefore a good idea to have your chimney cleaned before you use it. You may also want to consider putting chimney screens in place as these make it impossible for birds to nest in here, a common occurrence which can cause untold problems.
As dark nights draw in burglars are protected by the lack of light. This fact, coupled with higher levels of expensive and attractive items found in most peoples homes, results in significantly more burglaries during the winter season. As a result, precautionary measures should be put in place to minimise the risk of your home being broken into and goods stolen.
Decrease the odds of falling foul to burglary by ensuring all windows and doors have sturdy locks in place. The harder you make it for thieves to gain entry, the less likely they are to break in to begin with.
As it goes, a high percentage of Christmas burglars are attracted by presents and valuables which can be easily spotted through the windows to your home. The ‘out of sight, out of mind’ concept applies here so don’t give thieves the opportunity and keep all valuables safely stashed away.
But, by following practical advice such as this you can also protect your pocket by avoiding claims on your home insurance policy. If you’re shopping for a UK home insurance quote, it’s worth mentioning any preventative methods you take, as this could also keep the cost of your premium down.
Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
