Reactive Blog #19 - Things to Do to Your House in the New Year

Things to Do to Your House in the New Year

Everyone wants to set themselves some goals to achieve when the new year arrives, so why not set yourself some simple goals for things to around the house. These are things everyone should check and do to their house in the new year.

Check for moisture stains

Give your home a quick check for moisture stains in the new year. These stains can be found on the ceiling or on the walls so you need to check very closely in case you miss any. Any necessary repair work will be easier to tackle when space isn't crammed with your stuff so if you do find anything it will be best to move out some of your furniture.

Replace the batteries in smoke detectors

Something everyone always forgets to do is to replace the batteries in the smoke detectors, and you always end out getting woken up in the night due to it bleeping warning you it’s running out of power. So start off the new year by changing the batteries.

As a bonus, you could also change all the batteries in the TV remotes.

Change the heating and cooling filters

If you have air conditioning, the damage that could be caused by an old filter can be really expensive. A whole new system could cost you up to £5000. If you don't replace the filter, it could cut down on efficiency, or worse, cause the system to overheat. However, a new disposable filter costs about £3, so it is best to check the filter and replace it just in case.

Clear out the loft or basement

It’s always nice clearing out things you no longer want and need in the new year to make room for things you got over Christmas. So why not clear out the loft or basement when packing away the Christmas decorations. You’ll be guaranteed to find lots of things you no longer need or even find something that isn’t even yours from the previous homeowners.

As a bonus, you should never store electronics, important papers, delicate fabrics or anything flammable in the loft or basement, especially if that’s where the heat source is.

Deep clean the carpets 

If you had a lot of people over around Christmas and New Years, it's worth the couple hundred pounds to hire a professional to come in and clean all the food and drink stains properly. It is recommended calling in the pros once a year anyway, so take advantage of this in the new year.

Reactive Blog #15 - Cold Weather Boiler Fixes

Cold Weather Boiler Fixes

So it's probably been a while since you’ve used your boiler now. We had a great summer but it's now time for the cold winter. You may experience boiler issues if you haven’t used it in a while, so here are some tips that may help you fix it before you call someone out to help.

Double check the basics

First things first: check the basics. If you have a prepayment meter system or a top-up key, check that you’ve got enough credit on it for it to work.

If this is not the case, then you should next test whether your other gas appliances, such as the cooking hob, are working properly. The switches in your fuse box may have tripped and may need resetting.

Think back to if you’ve had a power cut recently

Have you had a power cut recently? Your boiler’s timer might have reset itself. Fixing it and getting it working back to normal again should be as simple as putting in the correct time settings again. If you do not know how to do this, take a look at the instruction manual and there should be an easy-to-follow guide.

Check your boiler’s pressure gauge

If the boiler is showing a reading of one bar or less, then it is probably to do with the pressure being too low, as this can prevent the boiler from working. Topping up the pressure yourself is usually straightforward - follow the steps in your boiler’s manual.

Turn your room thermostat to 21 degrees or higher

Reset your boiler, or check that it's pilot light is on

Having the thermostat set lower than 19-21 degrees can stop your heating from coming on, so turn it higher to see if your boiler starts working again.

               

Still having troubles?

If you are still experiencing issues you can contact us at: http://www.reactiveinsurance.co.uk/about/#contactus

Reactive Blog #13 - Winter Do’s and Don’ts

Winter Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

Wrap up warm 

Ensure you wear several layers of clothes as opposed to one chunky layer – clothes made from materials such as cotton, wool or fleecy fibres help to maintain body heat. When indoors, wear warm socks and slippers; if you’re really cold, tuck your shirt in and tuck your trousers into your socks to ensure that your skin doesn’t become exposed to the cold. When in bed, wear thermal underwear and bed socks to keep you cosy. When venturing outdoors, wear a hat as well as shoes with a good grip, along with a scarf wrapped loosely around your mouth. If you suffer from a heart or respiratory problem, stay indoors during very cold weather.

Heating your home

If you’re a healthy and active person under 65, it is safe to have your home below 18C, however if you’re 65+ and aren’t very mobile, or you suffer from a health condition, ensure your home is heated to at least 18C. If you have a baby in the house, ensure that they sleep in a room heated to between 16C and 20C to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). To block out draughts, draw curtains at dusk and keep doors closed. Get your heating system serviced regularly by a qualified professional to prevent a difficult winter.

Have warm food and drink

Eating regularly helps keep you warm; eat a balanced diet with lots of fruit and veg to get nutrients and stay healthy during the winter period. It’s recommended that you have at least one hot meal (e.g. porridge, soups, stews) a day along with hot drinks throughout the day.

Stay active 

Moderate exercise is a good way to stay warm; not only does staying active boost your circulation, it also prevents muscle loss – this is significant because muscles play a part in creating body heat. When seated, put your feet up, as the ground will be the coldest given that heat travels upwards.

Use hot water bottles and electric blankets

An obvious way to keep warm is to use hot water bottles and electric blankets. The two should not be used simultaneously though and electric blankets may not be suitable for those that suffer from incontinence problems, so it’s advised that you consult a doctor before use.

Be prepared if you’re heading out 

Before heading out, check weather updates provided by the Met Office on radio, TV and Twitter. When its below 8C, you’re at an increased risk of a heart attack, stroke, flu, pneumonia, hypothermia and falls/injuries. Those most vulnerable include people aged 65+, people with a long-term health condition, pregnant women and those who suffer from mental health conditions like depression and dementia.

Have medication on hand

It’s important to keep cold, flu and sore throat remedies in the house, as the immune system becomes weaker when it’s cold. It’s also recommended that you enquire about getting a free flu jab on the NHS.

Don’t

Don't Let the cold in 

Ensure you close all doors in the house and use a keyhole cover to block draughts. You can also buy thermal linings for the curtains to keep the heat in your home.

Don't use alcohol to stay warm

Avoid the consumption of alcohol before going outdoors or whilst outdoors during the winter. It may make you feel warm, due to the blood vessels in the skin expanding, but it actually draws the heat away from your vital organs.

 Don’t let your financial situation prevent you from staying warm 

Don’t suffer in the cold because you don’t think you can afford to stay warm – check what support is available to you. You may be eligible for grants regarding the heating in your home, such as the Winter Fuel Payment, the Cold Weather Payment and the Affordable Warmth Grant. The Energy Saving Trust also has advice on how to reduce bills, as well as suggesting ways to make your home more energy efficient.

Still Having Troubles?

If you are still experiencing issues you can contact us at: http://www.reactiveinsurance.co.uk/about/#contactus

Reactive Blog #12 - Autumn Life Hacks

Autumn Life Hacks 

It's October now, which means autumn and the cold days are coming. Here are some quick life hacks that'll help you through the season.

Easy Leaf Cleaning

With autumn coming comes a big leaf cleanup, with all the trees loosing their leafs. It can be a problem to maintain if you have a large garden or leave near the woodlands. We’ve all had the struggle of raking the leaves, putting them into bin bags and half of the leaves fall out and become scattered all over again. An easy and must do solution to this is to rake up the leaves onto plastic tarpaulin, then when its full up, you can just lift the tarp and dump into however you dispose of your leaves.

Make Pumpkins Last

When it’s getting close to Halloween everyone wants to start making pumpkins. There’s nothing worse than watching your picked pumpkins rot away outside way before its even Halloween. As they rot away, they may draw the attention of foxes and insects that will want to feast on it. You can prevent this annoying process by spraying a mixture of bleach and water on the pumpkin (inside and out). This will make them last so long that it wont even rot until after Halloween.

Heating Pinecones

Pinecones can be a very nice decorative piece for your dinner table or even on a coffee table. But Pinecones can be a gold mine for insects and other undesirables you wouldn’t like in your home. To prevent this, before displaying them, put them on a baking sheet and cook them at 160 degrees for an hour. It will take care of any bugs that may be inside and it will prevent more from entering.