Summer is fast approaching, and we are all preparing for a much-deserved break. Summer is the perfect time to unwind and travel to new places to escape the boring routine of everyday life. The weather is lovely, and schools are closed.
Research shows that 43% of UK residents planned on traveling for vacation in 2023, either internationally or domestically. 81% of these travelers planned to vacation between June and August. While traveling on holiday is an exciting prospect and should be a relaxing and enjoyable experience, it may also be stressful.
Packing everything and getting things in order can be very taxing. Additionally, leaving the house alone for a few days requires a lot of planning and work. But there is no room for complacency, especially regarding the safety of your home.
Take gas safety, for example. Overlooking even a small fault can have disastrous consequences. The good thing is that you can follow some simple rules to keep your home safe while you are on holiday.
Keeping Your House Gas-Safe While on Holiday
Here are some simple ways you can make your home gas-safe even when you leave your home while on holiday:
Conduct a Basic Self Inspection
Inspect your gas connections and appliances yourself; the easiest and most basic way to prevent the worst. While it is not foolproof, it is still a great way to check whether everything is working fine. Most people know the normal functioning of their gas appliances and can reliably figure out if something is wrong.
If you have doubts, you can call a professional to get a closer look. Hiring a professional to come to your home will cost money, and you may not be willing to bear the expense, especially since you are going on holiday. A little planning ahead goes a long way, and this takes us to our next point.
Get a Gas Safety Check Done
It is highly recommended to get a gas safety check done annually. Gas safety checks are conducted by a registered gas safe engineer. It is a thorough check of your entire gas connection system. If the gas-safe engineer finds no issues with your gas connection, they will issue the CP 12 certificate. You can read more about gas safety checks by clicking the link provided.
It is best to schedule a gas safety inspection right before you leave for the holiday. As a certified gas-safe engineer has checked, you can be confident that your house is gas-safe.
Turn off the Gas Mains Before Leaving
Again, a straightforward solution to preventing accidents is just turning off the gas mains. You must be familiar with all the gas connections in your home and know exactly where the main gas supply is located.
Before you leave for holiday, turn off the gas mains. You can turn it back on once you return home. Doing this will at least eliminate the possibility of a gas leak. It is a reversible solution that can save your home from getting burned down.
Have Your Gas Appliances Serviced
Like getting a gas safety inspection, cleaning and servicing your gas appliances before leaving is a good idea. Gas appliances should be serviced regularly because their functioning deteriorates over time. This is primarily due to the typical wear and tear caused by usage.
Gas appliance servicing keeps them in good working condition, and the process may also help identify any problems, like a connection that may need tightening. Timely cleaning of appliances adds to their safety.
Have Carbon Monoxide Alarms in Place
You may wonder why carbon monoxide alarms are important, as you will not be inside the house and will not be able to hear the alarm going off. Many of the latest carbon monoxide and smoke detectors can be connected to your smartphone through an application. This way, the device in your house will send you a notification if it detects anything.
Now, you can get alerts on your phone no matter where you are. Just remember to check the carbon monoxide detector’s batteries and ensure the device works fine and is connected to your phone.
Have Someone Visit Your House
Provide a set of keys to someone close to you, a neighbor, a family member, or a friend. Ask them to visit your home while you are away just to check that everything is fine. It is a simple favor as it will take only a few minutes to survey the house.
Be sure to ask someone who lives near your house so they do not have to commute from far away. Just request them to visit your house once or twice at their convenience in your absence.
Check Security Cameras
If you can’t get anyone to visit in person then checking security camera footage on your phone is an option. Closed-circuit security cameras can be placed throughout the house in critical areas. Security cameras may not show everything but they show enough to provide safety and security.
You can probably detect something out of the ordinary and call for help. Even if it is a false alarm, it allows you to act quickly and this may prevent a calamity in case something was indeed wrong.
Staying Safe on Holiday
Going on holiday doesn’t mean you can forget about the safety and security of your home. It becomes an even more important issue as you will not be present to act immediately. There are several risks when leaving your home alone and gas safety is high among the possible dangers.
Staying safe and keeping your house gas-safe is not difficult but requires you to remain alert and take necessary steps to ensure gas safety. Detailed above are several gas safety measures you can undertake and keep your home safe even when you are away. Be sure to follow as many of these as possible to enjoy your holiday away without any worries.
