Restrictions have been placed upon movement and travel, as well as everyday events such as shopping and education being impacted. As we move towards the fall, the threat presented by the situation has not subsided sufficiently enough for life to return to normal, with several US States seeing a spike in cases.

That means, as a homeowner, you may need to take some precautions when faced with increased time at home. The springtime was not a terrible time to be confined to our homes, fine weather meant we could be outside, and the threats posed by the environment were not as severe. However, as we look to once again being in our houses through not only because of the pandemic, but also the seasons, there are some precautions you might want to take to protect you and your family.

Deep Clean

One of the most important aspects of your life at home should be a deep clean. It is advisable to initiate a good clean of your home every couple of weeks, even during normal times, but as uncertainty outside continues, a better cleaning routine might be called for. As reported by PRS Newswire, some states are still in lockdown and many Americans are homeschooling, meaning your house is seeing more use and thus becoming dirty faster.

Do not just think about disinfecting surfaces, but also regularly clean utensils and other everyday items. Also, think carefully about areas of your home that someone else may be in contact with; do not be afraid to disinfect your mailbox for instance, or handles on your doors, especially if you have children who may be in contact with others.

Check Heating System

With winter coming, it is important to make sure your family remains safe, so checking your heating system is imperative. The last thing you need is to experience a breakdown and require not only external help but also additional protection whilst repairs are carried out. If you do find a problem when testing your boiler, it might not be severe or expensive. A post by Andy Floyd about how to fix radiators on HomeServe explains how your boiler failing to start could be down to several issues, from low water pressure to a faulty ignition lead. Testing it now, and finding out you have a problem will at least ensure when the cold weather does come, your family are not at further risk because the home is damp and cold.

Ventilation

Check your ventilation properly too. If you have air conditioning, it is a good time to check those filters and maybe give the whole system a clean. You will not want windows and doors open wide when the cold weather kicks in, but to prevent the spread of germs good airflow is required around your home. When winter does arrive, make the most of slightly warmer days by getting air through the home, minimizing the potential for germs to spread. You might not contract the virus that is causing the panic, but if you or your family catch something else, you may have to seek treatment and expose yourself to wider risks.

Create Habits

Help your family by making them get into good habits around the home. Consider conditioning them to wash their hands regularly, particularly after coming in from school or work. Try to get them to avoid touching their faces, and ensure they cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing. If they do happen to pick something up outside the home, it is these habits which should prevent it from spreading around your property.

Insure Yourself

Whilst the threat from the pandemic is something to consider, there are also other threats which could endanger your family and to dismiss them would be a fallacy. Tornadoes have already touched down in Oklahoma, Tennessee and Mississippi, the latter reported by WMC Action News as being the widest on record. You must ensure if you are at risk from external forces, making sure you have adequate cover. Imagine, protecting your family from the pandemic only for a flood or weather occurrence to leave you homeless and exposed. Seek cover for anything you may be at risk for, to keep a warm roof over your family’s head until the situation eases.