Summer is all about having fun in the sun, but it is also about safety and making sure your home is protected from the damage that can be caused by sun, bushfires, storms and other natural disasters.
First National Real Estate has some great advice to help homeowners and residents prepare their homes for the risks posed by hot weather.
According to Stewart Bunn, National Communications Manager at First National Real Estate, all areas of a home should be considered, from the swimming pool, garden and the home itself.
“Whether you want to keep your home safe from the threat of a bushfire, storms, or even just to make sure the kids can swim in the pool safely, now is the time to get to work on making the home safe,” Mr Bunn said.
Tips include making sure swimming pools are properly maintained, gutters are cleared of debris, and areas around the home are well trimmed and cleared of garden mess like leaves, twigs and overgrown lawns.
“Scrub and undergrowth around the property are ideal fuel accelerants for a fire,” Mr Bunn said.
“Garden hoses should be connected to taps and fire resistance mesh screens to doors and windows will help prevent embers from entering the home in the case of a bushfire. Installing a sprinkler system around the home is a simple and easy preparation step to take that may mean the difference between losing your home and surviving a bushfire.”
Other tips for fire safety include ensuring all smoke alarms inside the home are in correct working order and any flammable items such as wood, boxes and other recycling materials such as newspapers, flammable liquids and gas bottles are stored well away from the house.
For swimming pools, it is essential that fences are checked for sagging or shifting, as they represent a safety issue as much as an aesthetic one. Another important safety issue for swimmers is pool water quality.
“Pool owners should make sure they continuously test their pool water quality, vacuum it regularly and keep it clean from debris,” Mr Bunn said.
“When a storm, flood or bushfire hits a town, this importance increases tenfold when you consider the increased risks and health hazards posed by the natural disaster.
“Floodwaters may have brought sewage or muddy waters into your swimming pool, or fallen branches and chemical run-offs may have been introduced as a result of bushfire fighting activities or from roofs covered in bird droppings and other animal matter.
“Not to mention the health hazards that burning houses, sheds and other buildings or structures can leave in rubble and ash that may find their way into the swimming pool.”
Simple home maintenance will protect your house from the ravages caused by the sun. Tips include:
- Wash the exterior of your house. Use a professional house-washing service if possible as they will legally use high-pressure washes which use far less water than a regular hose.
- Check all window seals and door frames to keep out hot air. Replace seals where necessary and keep draft stoppers handy for the base of back and front doors.
- Clean ceiling fans and air conditioner filters before use to ensure their efficient operation.
- Check exterior paintwork for signs of wear and tear and apply a fresh coat or touch-ups where necessary including exterior house walls, decking, verandahs and fences.
- Refill children’s sandpits with fresh sand and inspect play equipment to ensure the effects of winter have not eroded their safety ratings through rust or weakening.
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