15 danger zones around the home you must check NOW before you go on holiday – or risk being hit with £390 costs

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

Find out how to prevent yourself being landed with a big bill when you get home
HOUSE THAT 15 danger zones around the home you must check NOW before you go on holiday – or risk being hit with £390 costs
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NOT going through these 15 checks before you go on holiday could land you with a huge bill.
It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of heading off on a break.
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Fridges and freezers can usually be left running unless you're going away for a long time
Credit: Alamy
But research by BOXT has found one in Brits have returned home to be hit with an unexpected home emergency - with the average repair bill totalling a massive £390.
Some of the common culprits include break-ins, boiler problems, mould, flooding and fires.
If you want to avoid being landed with a hefty bill, these are the 15 things you should be checking for before you head off on your travels.
Check for fire risks
An estimated 35,000 house fires happen in the UK every year.
Here's how to protect your home while you're away.
Look at your electricals
Electrical fires are one of the most common causes of house fires in the UK.
You're particularly at risk when you go away on holiday, and the main culprits are often tumble dryers, chargers and toasters.
Sam Starbuck, home expert at HomeServe, says: "It's worth unplugging things like TVs, audio systems, Wi-Fi routers, kitchen appliances like coffee machines and toasters, dishwashers, and washing machines, all of which can use power when on standby and, in some cases, cause an electrical fire.
"Fridges and freezers can usually be left running, unless you're going to be away for an extended period. Just make sure they're working properly before you go."
You should also check for overloaded plug sockets and ageing wiring.
I'm a mum-of-12, I swear by £1.15 bathroom cleaner and £3.25 mould cleaner in our busy house
Move mirrors and glassware
Another fire risk is sunlight reflecting off everyday items in your home.
Avoid putting magnifying mirrors, mirrored display trays or even glass ornaments near windows as these can concentrate sunlight into a beam hot enough to ignite curtains, furniture or carpet.
Kara says: "Before you head off on holiday, it's worth doing a quick sweep of your home to make sure anything reflective is moved away from window ledges or sunlit spots.
"It takes just a minute to reposition a mirror, but the damage from a fire could be devastating."
Don't leave things charging
You should avoid leaving electronics to charge while they're away, especially ones with lithium-ion batteries.
This type of battery can be found in most rechargeable devices such as power banks, e-bikes, vapes and smart watches.
If left unattended they can overheat and start fires.
Kara says you should always store these types of electronics in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and flammable materials.
Never throw these devices in the rubbish or your standard recycling bins, as these batteries can ignite if they're crushed or damaged.
Check your curtains
You should avoid draping curtains or blinds over radiators or plug sockets, as this can also create a fire risk.
Thief-proof your home
Another major risk while you're away is falling victim to a break-in.
These are the steps you can take to try to prevent it...
Safeguard your garden
Stop thieves from being tempted to steal from your garden by storing your tools and equipment in a locked shed or garage.
You could also add certain features like a gravel pathway to deter intruders as the sound of footsteps crunching on gravel could alert homeowners.
Plus, planting thorny bushes near your fences can act as a natural barrier.
Secure your doors and windows
Mark Hodgson, chairman of Tremark and vice president of The Association of British Insurers, says you should invest in high-security door locks.
You could also consider installing deadbolts.
Don't forget about your windows too - you can upgrade your window locks to make it harder for people to enter.
You could also apply security film to your windows to make them shatter-resistant.
Mark your valuables
You can use UV light to mark your valuables and it won't show up under normal lighting.
"This technique not only makes it easier to identify stolen items, but also signals to potential thieves that the property is traceable, serving as a strong deterrent," Mark says.
"Items such as electronics, tools and expensive garden equipment should be labelled accordingly."
Get a security camera
Installing a security camera or doorbell device can serve as a deterrent for thieves.
Plus, it can let you monitor your home while you're away.
You might even be able to use a "decoy" security camera that looks genuine but isn't operational.
Avoid plumbing and boiler disasters
If you're way from home for a while, it can cause issues with your heating and plumbing.
Here's what to do to prevent it...
Switch your boiler to 'holiday mode'
Some boiler systems have a "holiday mode" or "away mode" that you can use when you'll be out of the house for a few days or more.
The setting turns off your central heating to conserve energy but keeps essential heating functions such as frost protection and minimal hot water circulation active.
This can stop you having issues like frozen pipes or stagnant water while also saving you from wasting energy.
Adam Knight, lead engineer at BOXT, says: "Running the boiler for a short period could help prevent components from sticking or seizing, particularly if you're away for extended periods of time."
Turn off your stop tap
If you're going away for more than three days, you should make sure to switch off your water supply.
This can protect you against surprises such as damp, floor damage or burst pipes.
The stop tap is usually located under the kitchen sink but it might also be in a kitchen cupboard, a downstairs toilet, a utility room or garage, basement, or under the stairs.
Turn the tap clockwise to switch off the water supply and anti-clockwise to turn it back on again.
Make sure you always turn slowly and gently to avoid damaging the valve.
Avoid pesky pests
The last thing you want is to come home to a pest infestation.
You'll want to make sure you do these things...
Get rid of food scraps
Rats and mice can do a surprising amount of damage to your home - and they love finding food scraps in bins or crumbs under the sofa.
Kara Gammell says: "Rats can gnaw through almost anything, including concrete and metal.
"They've been known to cause flooding by chewing through pipes."
You can avoid this problem by clearing away clutter, getting rid of food scraps, keeping your bins tightly shut and sealing up gaps and holes in your home.
Protect your car too
Rats can also nibble their way through car engines and fuel hoses and damage headlights.
Make sure you park away from rubbish or food sources and use a garage if possible.
Also keep your car's interior clean and food-free.
Prevent mould
Another common issue that can happen while you're away is mould growth.
Here are the areas you should keep an eye on...
Bathrooms
This is perhaps the most obvious area where mould can grow.
Check your bathroom for any signs of mould starting to appear before you go, such as black, green or white patches on your walls.
Another tell-tale sign is a musty smell.
Washing machines
Hudson Lambert, mould expert at Dryzone, says there are plenty of "less obvious" hotspots for mould that you might not think to check.
For example, if you're washing your clothes at lower temperatures (below 40C) then mould can survive in your machine.
Make sure to regularly wash your washing machine and check for signs of mould before you go away.
Behind furniture
Mould behind furniture can be caused by condensation on the wall.
You should check behind sofas, bathroom mirrors and radiators that aren't in use for signs.