Home explorer: everyday risks you need to know
The Santam Home Explorer is a unique interactive video guide to making your home a safer place to live for you and your family. We show you where everyday risks can occur and how to prevent them. You can decide which areas of the home you would like to explore by clicking on the interactive areas in the video.
*This video is best watched on a desktop or other device on which YouTube annotations work.
In this blog post we'll take you through some of the most common risks that you should be aware of.
Outside The House
- Cover all entrances to the property with good quality motion detectors or sensors.
- Test your alarm system every six months and have your security company test the battery and back up battery annually. Your battery should last at least 6 hours.
- Panic buttons should be installed in strategic places around your home. In case of emergency, this will ensure that your security company will get to you quickly.
The Roof
- Check gutters for leaves before they start overflowing. Gutters clogged with leaves and debris can cause home flooding, especially in rainy months.
- Invest in a lightning mast if you're in an area with frequent storms.
- Thatched roofs will require special insurance.
Inside The Home
- Ensure you have professionally installed security bars and gates - the most common home security measure.
- Small noisy dogs are useful deterrents that help draw attention to intruders.
The Kitchen
- Make sure you are prepared for kitchen fires by installing a smoke alarm.
- Keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket in a visible and accessible place.
- Fire extinguishers should be serviced once a year to ensure they are in working order.
- Save important contact numbers in case of an emergency. Make sure you familiarise your family with an action plan, should a situation arise.
The Living Room
- List all items in your home in an up-to-date inventory.
- New technology and other valuable items such as jewellery, may need to be specified in your All Risks cover.
- Always keep receipts for items of value and make a note of any serial numbers.
The Bathroom
- Watermarks on the ceiling are a good indication of geyser problems.
- Your geyser needs regular attention and maintenance to prevent bursts or leaks.
- Have a plumber check the sacrificial anode, which prevents the water and trace minerals from eroding the geyser.
Ticking off even just a few of the risk checks we've just explored will help you sleep more soundly tonight. And remember, when risks do become a reality, all the solutions you need are only a call away. Santam. Insurance good and proper.