Winter is a crucial time to focus on home safety. With the days getting shorter and darker, the hazards increase, including slippy paths, power cuts and home invasions. This highlights the need for prevention and preparation to protect your home and your family. This doesn’t have to involve huge and expensive upgrades, but safety can improve with small adjustments that can create a huge difference. 

So how do you achieve this? Not to worry, this guide helps identify four ways to upgrade your home this winter, so that you can feel happy and safe this festive season, so the only worry that you have this Christmas is whether the turkey will be ready on time!

Check and maintain your heating system

As the freezing winter months approach, you need a well-maintained heating system that keeps your home warm and safe. There’s nothing worse than waking up on a cold winter’s morning and realising that the heating is broken. Not only is it uncomfortable and a huge inconvenience to everyday life, but it can also be dangerous for your family, especially if you have little ones. Another safety concern is faulty boilers and furnaces, which can result in carbon monoxide leaks that can be fatal. Boiler checks can prevent this, but also ensure that all carbon monoxide alarms are correctly installed and working, adding an extra layer of protection.

To prevent these problems, make sure to book a professional boiler or furnace inspection before the temperatures drop to ensure that you don’t have any unwelcome surprises once it gets freezing. You can also bleed radiators and ensure good ventilation to avoid overheating and condensation, which leads to other complications such as mould.

Improve fire safety and electrical protection

The risk of household fires drastically increases in winter due to heating, candles and electrical use, especially Christmas lights. Therefore, it’s important to be extra vigilant in this season, as it can have tragic consequences if you are not. You can do this through several methods.

Testing smoke alarms and replacing batteries ensures that you can be notified instantly if there are any incidents. Also, avoiding overloading sockets and extension cords, especially for festive lights, a these are most flammable, so also keep these away from any candles and fireplaces, as they can ignite instantly. Fire safety is all about preparation, and a few small checks can save you from life-threatening emergencies

Checklist

• Smoke alarms
• Sockets
• Candles
• Fire extinguisher
• Fireplaces 

Secure your home against winter break-ins

Short and darker days mean an increase in home break-ins, with a 40% increase during the winter months. This can be devastating, especially in the festive period, as it can cause damage to your house as well as the destruction of household items and the loss of personal property. Therefore, you must put measures in place to deter thieves and make you feel safe in your own home.

Firstly, install motion-activated lights outside to add lighting to your property, which can deter intruders. Next, install smart locks or video doorbells so you can monitor your home whilst you’re out and if you’re away. Hide and keep valuables out of sight so that you can not see them from windows. This way, intruders can not see valuable items or consider investing in a safe to keep valuables such as pink sapphire jewellery in, if intruders do get past your first line of defence.

Overall, a few simple security upgrades can make your home a much less appealing target this winter. 

Prevent slips, trips and outdoor hazards

Cold weather often leads to icy paths, slippery steps and general outdoor hazards that cause injuries, which can be prevented through a few easy steps:

• Keep grit or salt on hand for paths, driveways and doorsteps

• Repair loose paving slabs, handrails or steps before frost sets in

• Ensure exterior lighting is bright and motion-activated for safe night access

• Store garden tools, ladders and outdoor furniture to prevent accidents in wind or snow

• Add nonslip mats or stair grips on indoor and outdoor steps

Well-lit, ice-free path doesn’t just protect visitors, it protects your peace of mind every time you step outside. 

Keep safe this winter

Although Christmas may be on your mind this winter, heating maintenance, fire prevention, home security, home security and outdoor safety. A few thoughtful safety upgrades can make all the difference this winter. With a little preparation, you’ll protect your home, your loved ones, and your comfort, no matter how cold it gets outside.