There’s nothing worse than when you face an unexpected household issue. Your home is supposed to be your haven – the place where you keep you and your family safe. That’s why it can be particularly devastating when something goes wrong, especially just ahead of Christmas. Unfortunately, though, nearly everyone’s house falls victim to some kind of problem at some point. These can differ in severity – but if you have a real emergency, it’s vital to know where to turn within seconds. Not preparing for any of these emergencies – even as unlikely as they seem – can leave you kicking yourself should they actually happen. Here are some of the most common home disasters and what you can do if they happen to you.
Power outages
We’ve all experienced a power outage before. When this happens in your home, the situation is probably as follows. The lights go out, you fumble around with a torch for a while; switch the fuse box off and on again and voila! You have all your electricity back. But what if next time you do this, it doesn’t come back on? Whilst it’s true that most power blackouts only last for a few minutes or a couple of hours, some can last for weeks on end. This is clearly less than ideal; we use electricity for so many items in our homes, even if we’re trying to be as eco-friendly as possible. If your power is out completely, notify your local authority as soon as possible. It is also advisable that you invest in some kind of non-electronic form of heating, so that you and your family are protected in the winter months. Always be careful when using candles and don’t leave any unattended.
Burst pipe
Having a burst in your plumbing system can be very dangerous. If you don’t act fast, you could suffer severe damage to your home. Burst pipes are more common in winter, due to the drop in temperature. To prevent suffering a burst pipe at all, consider insulating your pipes prior to winter setting in. If it’s too late and a leak has already happened, remember to make safety a priority. Turn off all electrics and use a bucket to catch water from the leak, to prevent flooding. It is then vital that you call a plumber as soon as possible, to prevent any further damage and get your home back to normal.
Cracked windows
Cracked windows are rare in most properties, unless they have been smashed in deliberately. However, they can be distressing either way. Everyone wants to feel secure in their home, and having a cracked window can leave you feeling overly exposed and vulnerable. The first thing to do is to try and board the window as best you can with cardboard or wood, if you have it. But, be very careful not to harm yourself on shards of glass, and discourage your children from going near it. Then, call out an emergency locksmith – many of them also perform emergency boarding services too – until you can get a replacement window.
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