One of the toughest things about running a family home is that it can be so unpredictable! You may think you’re having a nice quiet week, and then an emergency will come along that causes chaos.
That’s why it’s so important to know how to deal with the most common household emergencies, and how to prevent them from reoccurring. Follow these tips when you’re dealing with an emergency in your home.
You’re locked out
Whether you lose your keys or break them in the lock, nothing is worse than being locked out of the house, especially if you have kids in tow. While you can attempt to break into your own home, it’s best not to do this, as it could leave your home vulnerable to burglaries. Instead, simply search online for local locksmith services near me. A qualified locksmith can quickly help you get access to your home, and if necessary, they can change the locks too, ensuring your property is secured.
You have pests in your home
Nothing is worse than coming home and finding you have an infestation of pests. Not only are pests filthy, but they can also eventually destroy your property, even the underlying structure. Firstly, preventative measures are key. You should learn how to keep pests out of your attic and take steps to avoid an infestation. However, if you notice the signs of one, you should call an exterminator right away. They can get rid of the pests in a safe way, without harming you, your family, or pets.
Most of the time, people see signs of an infestation before they see the actual pests. Look out for tell-tale signs of an infestation such as:
- Footprints or greasy stains
- Damaged items in your home, from furniture to food packaging
- Signs of nesting
- Droppings or urine
If you see any of these signs, don’t delay in calling the professionals. By the time you get to the stage of spotting pests, you are likely to have a serious infestation, so don’t leave it to get to that stage.
There’s a fire
Homeowners should keep a fire extinguisher around their home, but it’s important not to tackle a fire that’s bigger than a wastepaper basket. Also, if the fire is spreading, and there’s a lot of smoke, you should get out of there quickly and call the fire brigade instead. Smoke kills more people than fire, so inhalation is extremely dangerous. Make sure you draw up a plan with your family with what to do in case of a fire.
Smelling gas
One emergency that homeowners dread is coming home to the smell of gas. If this happens, it’s important to know your local gas emergency number, and to call them as soon as possible. In the meantime, open your doors and windows, and don’t strike a match, operate switches, or do anything that could cause an explosion. You should wait outside your home if possible and keep people away from the area until it is declared safe.
Natural disasters
Depending on where you live, your home may be at risk of natural disasters such as floods or wildfires. Make sure you know what risks are present in the local area, and that you have an emergency plan in place, as well as following advice from the authorities if there is an incident.
Home emergencies can come in all forms, from accidents to natural disasters, so make sure you know how to cope with them. It’s a good idea to keep emergency numbers for professionals like locksmiths on hand, so if things go wrong, you have someone to call.
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