AS SPRING BEGINS to bloom, it’s time for us all to thaw out, enjoy the clear blue sky and take stock of what’s important in life. 

For many of us, that includes the safety and security of our home, and ensuring that everything in our house is up to scratch. Keeping your house in good nick, staying on top of your chores and making sure your home is well-maintained is a great way to prevent damage from setting in over time.

A thorough spring cleaning is also the perfect way to find out if there is wear-and-tear in your home that you’ve overlooked.

In this week’s Allianz Home Magazine, we’re looking at spring cleaning tips that will help keep your house in tiptop shape while keeping an eye out for any major problems that might end up causing you problems further down the line.

Test your smoke alarm

Let’s start with something quick, easy to do, and simple to sort to out.

The HSE recommends that we all test our smoke alarms once a week. Whether or not all of us are as diligent as we should be is another question, but springtime is the perfect time to build those good habits back up. By making sure our smoke alarms are working (and that we have an appropriate number of them – at least one per floor), we immediately reduce our risk of serious fire. Get some new batteries and make sure you’re starting the year on the safest possible ground. 

Plug leaks in your kitchen and bathroom

Water damage is one of the most common claims received by insurance companies, but a lot of water damage is easy to prevent. After a winter as cold as the one we’ve just had, it’s possible that the caulk in your bathroom and kitchen has frozen and cracked. 

It’s possible that you may need to reseal some of the caulking, such as around your bathtub, your shower, or between your tiles. By making sure these areas are sealed, you reduce the risk of water leaking and doing damage to your home. Caulk and caulking guns are readily available at any hardware or DIY retailer.

Windows and doors

It’s essential to check on windows and doors to make sure that they are properly sealed. By doing this, you can reduce the risk of condensation build-up, mould and heat loss — all of which have the potential to cause serious damage.

Check your appliances

Some appliances carry a greater risk than others when it comes to fire. Tumble dryers, for example, should be regularly checked and cleaned out. Take this opportunity to clean the vent hose and remove all lint, dust, and any pieces of material you find — all of this material is flammable.

Also make sure you’re being safe with other risky items such as candles, hair straighteners and cooking appliances.

Have a look at those gutters

Nobody likes clearing out the gutters, but it’s one of the most important things you can do to keep your home in good health. Keeping your gutters clear is an essential way of keeping water away from your home. If you didn’t have the chance to check your gutters over winter then now is the time. There’s plenty of local services across the country and a quick google search will help you find exactly what you’re looking for. 

Make sure your home is fully protected and get 10% off new policies online at www.allianz.ie/home-insurance.

Allianz p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Standard acceptance criteria, terms and conditions apply.