|
|
 |
|
 A typical scenario is this: A family of
four go on holiday for only a week. But as soon as they leave, the parents
start worrying about different things – “have I locked the windows?” “have I
left the water geyser on?” “Is the gas turned off?” And so on. The whole
week is ruined. People on holiday, or even out on work, experience a lot of
worry, especially if they have left an old relative like a grand father or
aged mother back home.
Keeping your home anxiety free doesn’t take much time – just some
planning will take you a long way in terms of a hassle free day or holiday.
Here are some important things to think of to eliminate tension from your
life…
If you have old people living with you, one of the main causes for
worry is a bad fall. The fall also affects children. Even you are not
immune to it. The most common causes for falls are:
Stairs
- Worn and damaged carpets
- Trailing electric wires
- Getting out of the bath
- Furniture and other things lying around
- Medication
What you can do
- Make sure the stairs are well lit and not cluttered;
- Ensure that carpets and rugs are secure;
- Make sure that wires do not trail across the floor;
- Have grab rails fitted next to the bath and toilet;
- If you are on medication check with your doctor to make sure that
they will not affect your balance or make you drowsy, AND,
- Have a place to sit down in case you feel dizzy;
Another common cause for accidents in the home is fire. And most
accidents happen by clothes getting ignited. The frequent causes for this
are gas stoves, open fires, matches, cigarette lighters and candles. Yes,
homes can also catch fire. This happens with candles that are increasingly
becoming objects of decoration. A bunch of lit candles in the living room
can ignite the curtains. A clothes iron that is left switched on and
forgotten can heat up enough to set something made of nylon or other
flimsy material on fire. A good thing to check in your home is:
- Where do you place candles?
- What do you wear when you cook?
- Are there inflammable articles next to places, which are a potential
source of heat or fire?
It is also a good idea to have a fire extinguisher in your home, and
train everyone in the house to use it.Peace of mind when you are away – making your home burglary free.
- Ensure that your home looks like it is lived in while you are away –
don’t close your curtains.
- Cancel any newspaper or milk deliveries.
- Fit secure locks to all the door and windows, if the windows do not
have grills.
- Maybe you could get automatic time switches to switch on lights only
in the evenings and switch off at about 11:00 or so. The garden switch can
be turned on all night.
- Get a friend or neighbour to look after your home – ask them to collect
your mail. If you are on a long holiday, maybe they could mow your lawn or
sweep your front yard once a week.
- Do not leave expensive items where they can be seen through a window.
- And make sure that a burglar, if he does get in, has to search like
mad for keys, or even anything valuable like money or jewellery.
Enjoy your day out at work or a holiday. Leave your worries, but not at
home.
|
