With the last few years we have all had to endure everyone is looking forward and planning to get away on well earned holiday.
If like me you plan for your trip well in advance you may have already started writing down you list with essentials, passport, travel money, travel insurance, sun cream and of course teabags, but how many of us think about doing a list to protect our homes whilst your or away and to protect you and your family in the property your staying in on your holidays.
We all want our holidays to be filled with happy memories and not a real holiday from hell, and the only thing we want to be greeted by on out return home is our own bed and not to find yourself ankles deep in water from a burst pipe.
Sunrise Plumbing and Heating have put together some useful tips to help you plan for a trouble free holiday both whilst away and on your return home
Home Safety Tips
Consider CCTV
Sounds expensive but CCTV is now quite affordable I personally recommend blink we have a full set up including blink floodlights, the beauty of blink are they 100% wire free and so simple to set up. these home security cameras let you see, hear, and speak from the Blink Home Monitor app on your phone. They work in both day and night video, have two way audio and recorded motion detection it’s like being at home whilst away and with a 2 year battery life it’s a great cheap set up to consider..
Find out more at https://blinkforhome.com/
Don't post details of your trip on social media
Criminals monitor social media! Don’t broadcast that your on holiday until it's time to come home.
Consider a video door bell
Again just like CCTV a video door bell is a good way of monitoring who comes to the door we recommend Ring as it records and notifies you when motion is detected and also allows 2 way communication.
Another simple way of monitoring your property.
Find out more at https://en-uk.ring.com/pages/doorbells
Always check your insured
Check your home and contents insurance policy is in date and doesn’t expire whilst away. If the worst does happened at least your insured.
Ask a neighbour to pick up your post
Burglars will look for a build up of post ask a neighbour to either take your post in or make sure it’s pushed fully through your letterbox.
If you have window locks and door deadlocks use them
Report issues of faulty street lighting to your council
Turn electrical appliances not in use off
Some electrical items will need to be left plugged in and switched on whilst you're on holiday such as lights (use a timer) and fridge/freezers. Apart from these, you should turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical appliances That are not going to be used not only will it save you money it will reduce the risk of a fire.
If you smell gas on your return
On returning home if you smell gas follow these steps
- Turn off the gas at the meter
- Extinguish naked flames
- Open all windows and doors to air it out
- Leave your room
- Call 0800 111 999 24 (from a safe distance)
Home Plumbing Tips
Turn Your Water Off
If your going on holiday it’s a good idea to isolate you main water supply by turning off your stopcock (this is normally located under your kitchen sink, pantry, downstairs, cloakroom if your struggling to locate it please call us on 07428628790.
Going away in the Winter
- Consider getting smart controls so your central heating can be operated via your mobile phone whilst on a sun lounger
- If you have standard controls set them to come twice a day
- Make sure pipes are lagged
- Isolate outside taps (we always recommend turning the main stopcock off)
- Ask a friend,neighbour or member of family to check on your property make sure you identify to the. where the stopcock is to them if you intend to leave your water on.
Freezer
Place a cup of water in the freezer once it has frozen place a coin on top of it, when returning back if the coin is at the bottom of the glass you will have known there has been a power cut and your frozen items have defrosted and then refrozen which could make you ill if eaten
Consider getting an inspection on you plumbing and heating
A boiler service will check the integrity of your boiler and make sure it’s safe whilst you are away and highlight any issues..
Stay Safe on Holiday
If your staying in a hotel, caravan, lodge or cottage Gas Safety is so important other countries are not as stringent on Gas Safety.
Carbon Monoxide
If your going abroad or holidaying in this country packing a portable Carbon monoxide detector could save your life, if you staying where a Carbon monoxide detector is fitted check it works and it’s in date. We recommend Honeywell CX100d
Emergency Exit
Always make a note of your nearest emergency exit
Inspect your gas appliances
Check for staining ( black marks around gas appliances)
Check there are no lazy orange flames they should be crisp blue flames
Report these to reception or your holiday rep do not take no for an answer.
If your holidaying in the UK there should be an up to date Gas Safety certificate on display in your accommodation if not ask reception or your rep to see it they have to show you this on request.
Check any carbon monoxide detectors that are installed are in date and test they are working
Check any smoke alarms that are installed are in date and test they are working .
We advise you take your own portable Carbon monoxide detector