PLANS to transform Skegness with the development of a sustainable urban extension to the west of the town have today (19 May) been revealed. The proposals for Skegness Gateway, to be the subject of a Local Development Order (LDO) with East Lindsey District Council later this year, outline an all-encompassing
AN ULTRA modern office space in Beeston has now been let after it was snapped up by Christian owned and run bank Kingdom Bank earlier this month, with commercial property agent Innes England acting for the landlord. Kingdom Bank – which has a history of over 65 years providing UK
Property management and surveying firm Scanlans has been appointed to manage a listed apartment block in Bradford which is frequently used as a film set for a variety of popular TV programmes. Law Russell House, on Vicar Lane in the Little Germany area of the city, was built in 1873
Caddick Construction have started work on a key brownfield residential scheme to deliver 112 homes on the site of the former Stonebridge Mills in Farnley, Leeds, on behalf of developers Rushbond Plc and Advent Developments. The £25m project called Stonebridge Beck and located on Stonebridge Lane includes 82 contemporary style,
Leading the green recovery electricity network companies are to invest over £300 million in network capacity for electric transport, clean heat and wider infrastructure development. Following a successful call for evidence, in which local authorities, developers and other parties stated the case for extra network capacity to receive investment, Britain’s energy networks
Insight Workplace Health, a provider of occupational health services to the construction sector across the UK, is celebrating achieving SEQOHS accreditation. SEQOHS, or Safe Effective Quality Occupational Health Service, is a set of standards and a process of accreditation that aims to help to raise the overall standard of care
Climate change isn’t recent news, but it’s become one of the major concerns in the last few years. This is because the impact of climate change is more apparent than ever, with 2020 named the hottest year on record and grim predictions about what will happen in the coming decades
The location of your HVAC system can make a huge difference in the efficiency and effectiveness of your heating, cooling, or climate control. But how do you know where to put it? This article will help you decide how to determine the right location. You can also consult HVAC experts
Homes are considered a safe place, and the word “shelter” translates to safety and protection. However, you cannot deny some dangers hidden in plain sight at your home. These hazards can lead to injuries if you fail to recognize them on time. Creating a safe environment at home is as
PLANS to transform Skegness with the development of a sustainable urban extension to the west of the town have today (19 May) been revealed. The proposals for Skegness Gateway, to be the subject of a Local Development Order (LDO) with East Lindsey District Council later this year, outline an all-encompassing scheme that will provide hundreds of jobs, a ground-breaking new college, much-needed amenities and new homes for the area. Sue Bowser of Croftmarsh, said: “We have farmed the land for over 30 years with a long-term view that certain areas of land could be used for development, and we are very excited to see those plans starting to take shape. We believe that the scheme being proposed will act as a catalyst for positive change for Skegness and position the town in its rightful place in the East Midlands as a place with opportunity and ambition. “As a family, we have lived and worked in Skegness for generations and are incredibly passionate about delivering a scheme that we – and the rest of the town – can be proud of, and we believe that what we are proposing will do that. “We have been working hard for a number of months alongside the team at East Lindsey District Council and other stakeholders to put together proposals for Skegness Gateway to ensure that it will be a development exemplar, creating a vibrant new community and we are very pleased to now be able to unveil them.” The 136-hectare site is located to the west of Skegness and is being proposed through an LDO in conjunction with East Lindsey District Council, which is expected to be submitted later this year. The proposed masterplan includes: around 1,000 new homes, specialist accommodation for older people, a tourism offering, a ground-breaking TEC partnership college, crematorium, employment and commercial land as well as significant green spaces and amenities for local people. Neil Sanderson of Croftmarsh, added: “We believe that Skegness Gateway will offer a real ‘cradle to grave’ opportunity for the town; offering high quality education, opportunities for start-ups, commercial and industrial space as well as places to live, work and play. “We are pleased to be working alongside the team at East Lindsey District Council to help bring this exciting scheme to fruition – creating something that will really put Skegness on the map. In working closely with the council and other partners, we have developed a scheme that we believe will complement the regeneration plans under the Towns Fund deal. “We firmly believe that Skegness Gateway will become a place that helps to bring Skegness to life year-round as it provides significant opportunities for those people already living here, but also serving to attract others to come here to live and work. We are very much looking forward to seeing this scheme progress over the coming months.” Councillor Tom Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Planning at East Lindsey District Council, said: “I’m delighted to see this ambitious proposal being brought forward. It really will be a landmark development for Skegness, providing not just new homes, but a brand new learning facility to support our residents to develop new skills, and further business and employment land to support our local economy. I look forward to working with Croftmarsh over the coming months to help turn these plans into a reality.” Speaking after his latest visit to the site, Matt Warman MP commented: “Skegness Gateway is an exciting example of sustainable planning that has the needs of local people running all the way through it. From homes for new and growing families to a specialist college or purpose built accommodation for older people, this development delivers for all ages while also enhancing and extending our local green spaces.” To find our more about Skegness Gateway, please visit the website at www.skegnessgateway.co.uk or join the conversation on Twitter @SkegnessGateway
AN ULTRA modern office space in Beeston has now been let after it was snapped up by Christian owned and run bank Kingdom Bank earlier this month, with commercial property agent Innes England acting for the landlord. Kingdom Bank – which has a history of over 65 years providing UK churches with financial solutions – is relocating from its former head office at Ruddington Fields Business Park due to a requirement for more space as its work expands. Having been acquired in 2020 by a group of independent Christian investors alongside Christian charity Stewardship, Kingdom Bank is seeking to grow the number of churches, Christian workers and charities it serves across the country. Located within the established Boulevard Estate on Padge Road in Beeston, the 4,850 sq. ft suite within Media House will provide open plan office space on the ground floor to accommodate the bank’s growing team of around 30 employees. It is also in a prime commercial location within close proximity to the M1 as well as Beeston town centre and Nottingham city centre. The office building also offers high-end features and amenities such as glass partitioned meeting rooms, a suspended ceiling with inset LED lighting, a stylish communal kitchen and shower facilities, as well as 22 car parking spaces. Ross Whiting, associate director at Innes England, acted for the landlord Venus Estates – a commercial property management and maintenance business based in Nottingham. Ross said: “Although this year has been hugely challenging for a large proportion of businesses across the UK, the office market – which may be surprising to some – has remained relatively stable. The signing of a new 15 year lease at Media House shows that there are ambitious and growing businesses out there that are still looking to expand and relocate to bigger and better offices, despite the challenges and change in working habits over the past year. “With the shift to home working offering more flexibility and appealing advantages, many employers will need to create an office environment that employees want to spend time in – it needs to be modern and stylish, with open plan areas and social spaces to facilitate the collaborative working and team building approach. “Beeston is currently thriving thanks to its £50m Beeston Square development and has proved to be a popular place with local businesses over the last year. It is great to see Kingdom Bank make the move to Beeston and I am pleased to help our client Venus Estates achieve its full rental potential.” Paul Houghton, chief executive officer at Kingdom Bank, which is well known for holding deposits from Christians and lending to churches, charities and Christian workers across the UK, said: “We are delighted to be leasing Media House as a space in which the work of the Bank can grow in the coming years. We are confident that these new premises will provide us with the environment we need for the exciting ongoing developments in the Bank’s support of Christian work across the UK.” Find out more at http://www.innes-england.com or join the conversation at @InnesEngland.
Property management and surveying firm Scanlans has been appointed to manage a listed apartment block in Bradford which is frequently used as a film set for a variety of popular TV programmes. Law Russell House, on Vicar Lane in the Little Germany area of the city, was built in 1873 as a textile warehouse as Bradford’s woollen industry boomed. The seven-storey, grade II listed building later became offices and then lay empty for several years before being converted by Trajan Estates into 71 apartments following a £4.5m investment. Completed in 2019, the redevelopment has seen the creation of one and two-bedroom flats and studio apartments, with office space and meeting rooms on the ground floor. The apartments are popular with working professionals and students and are fully-tenanted. Law Russell House and other areas of Little Germany are regularly seen on TV in programmes such as Peaky Blinders, Gentleman Jack, Emmerdale and All Creatures Great and Small. Little Germany was given its name after the area was populated by Germans who came to trade in Bradford’s thriving woollen industry in the 19th century. Michael Willans, senior property manager at Scanlans’ Leeds office, said the Law Russell House contract was a coup for the firm. “It’s a brilliant new instruction in a sought-after area and is a superb addition to our growing portfolio of management contracts,” he said. “Law Russell House is an iconic building with bags of history. It’s great to see Little Germany buzzing as regeneration projects such as this take shape. “We’re very proud to be managing the development and partnering with Trajan, and look forward to growing our relationship with the company over the coming months and years.” The site adds to Scanlans’ portfolio of management contracts across Yorkshire, with several new agreements coming on-stream in the next few months. Trajan, which was founded in 2005 by director Owen Carter and is based in Saltaire, Shipley, near Bradford, has completed numerous residential and commercial projects in the north of England. Trajan specialises in preserving heritage buildings and urban redevelopment, focusing on derelict buildings to convert them into living space. Owen said: “Law Russell House was a great personal journey for our company and such a significant listed building deserves first-class management. “As this was our first development on this scale, Scanlans was invited to tender after being recommended by other developers in the area. We’re delighted to have Scanlans working with us, bringing a wealth of expertise. “We hope this has set the foundations for a strong working relationship for many years to come, as we will be partnering with Scanlans on our future developments too.” Alongside property management services, Scanlans’ Leeds office provides commercial and residential property valuations and surveys, building surveying and LPA Receivership services.
Caddick Construction have started work on a key brownfield residential scheme to deliver 112 homes on the site of the former Stonebridge Mills in Farnley, Leeds, on behalf of developers Rushbond Plc and Advent Developments. The £25m project called Stonebridge Beck and located on Stonebridge Lane includes 82 contemporary style, new build, homes as well as the regeneration of the grade II listed and long derelict former mill buildings and cottages creating a further 30 homes. This high-profile site and former industrial buildings are located close to the Farnley Ring Road and are well known for their historic chimney and water tower which will be retained as a sentinel for the redevelopment. This extensive 10 -acre site includes the former mill pond as well as a new specially commissioned piece of public art to be situated at the entrance to the development which will act as a visual icon for the building’s industrial heritage. The Caddick construction contract provides a comprehensive regeneration of the site and buildings as well as all hard and soft landscaping, highway access and estate infrastructure. All homes are set beside an extensive new natural parkland idyll alongside the Farnley Beck providing an extensive area of public open space for the residents and community to enjoy which will become a key focus for the area. Stonebridge Mills played a key role in the development of Farnley and neighbouring Wortley, dating back to the early 1800s when the water-powered woollen mill was a focal point of the local community. Despite being in some form of industrial use for around 150 years, the site has been derelict for many years. Jonathan Maud commented on behalf of joint developers Rushbond and Advent Developments: “Rushbond and our partners Advent have worked hard to design a really thoughtful and sympathetic regeneration of this long derelict and much-loved Leeds landmark. We know from our extensive consultations that the community are excited to see this project commence and we are committed to delivering a really high-quality scheme.” Adrian Dobson, Managing Director from Caddick Construction said: “We are delighted to have started work on Stonebridge Mills and are helping to bring this site and historic buildings back to life as well as providing much-needed housing for the Farnley area. The site’s regeneration will also enable the green corridor along the Farnley Beck to be extended and run through the development which will be a huge bonus for the local community. Marketing of the homes has now commenced and the developers have already received strong interest from home buyers seeking to relocate to this unique and attractive regeneration project. Benefitting from the historic surroundings and extensive new beck side park the homes will offer very strong appeal to home buyers. A collection of conversion and new build homes will be available ranging from 2-5 bedrooms all offering high quality accommodation with private gardens and parking. A particular and unusual feature of the conversion homes will be the spacious mill houses with fabulous high ceilings and huge windows providing superb natural light and views over the Stonebridge Beck and parkland. The contemporary style new build family houses will provide high quality homes set within a semi-rural idyll yet situated less than 3 miles from Leeds City Centre. LSL New homes are marketing the scheme and further information can be sought by calling 07837 116 469. Principal designer and engineer on the scheme are W A Fairhurst & Partners with surveying services provided by BWF. The scheme is due to complete in Summer 2023.
Leading the green recovery electricity network companies are to invest over £300 million in network capacity for electric transport, clean heat and wider infrastructure development. Following a successful call for evidence, in which local authorities, developers and other parties stated the case for extra network capacity to receive investment, Britain’s energy networks will now accelerate funding over the next 12-24 months. David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association which represents the UK and Ireland’s energy networks businesses said: “With just a few months left until COP26 we are delighted to have been able to bring forward such a crucial enabler of the Prime Minister’s green recovery ambitions. Delivering a green recovery for seas, skies and streets, over £300m of electricity distribution network investment will enable wide-ranging projects which help tackle some of our biggest Net Zero challenges, like electric vehicle range anxiety and the decarbonisation of heavier transport. “This new funding shows the social, economic and environmental benefits that can be brought forward by industry working closely with a flexible regulator.” Projects selected include those in the areas of electric flight, shipping, heating and road transportation. These projects will not only play a critical role in driving a green recovery but will provide a foundation for the emerging technologies needed for a Net Zero future. Details of some of the projects can be found below. Key case study map Further case studies from across Britain Network operator Location Details Western Power Distribution South West – Truro In Truro Western Power Distribution are replacing two 132/33kV transformers, bringing on 30MW extra capacity for demand and for generation. Reflecting a £2m investment there are a multitude of uses for this new capacity. The area has abundant existing and proposed solar resources as well as a proposed garden village where a number of low carbon technologies are being considered. Crucially, Cornwall is also an area with many homes which do not have access to the gas network. With improved capacity in the county, more homes in Cornwall will have the option of switching to electric solutions. Western Power Distribution Wales Every year the Brecon Beacons are visited by over four million people; that’s four million people who, before long, will need to charge their electric vehicles. As part of the Green Recovery programme, Western Power Distribution are making multiple 11kV network investments through new cabling and substations, representing a £1million investment in Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells. Whilst not solely intended for electric vehicle charge points, there has been a strong interest in establishing charge points in this area, catering to the rural tourist areas between Brecon Beacons National Park and Shropshire Hills AONB Western Power Distribution West Midlands – Gloucester Services M4 At the Gloucester services on the M4, Western Power Distribution are to build a 11kV network extension via two new cables from Tuffley 33/11kV substation towards Gloucester Services. In short, this allows for an increase of 8MW in demand and 6W in generation. Representing a £1.6m investment this facilitates connection of charging points for electric vehicles along this major, arterial road, as well as other growth in this area on the outskirts of Gloucester. Crucially, the cables will be laid rated at 33kV for efficiencies in future as growth increases – effectively futureproofing the project for the further growth anticipated in the area. Western Power Distribution East Midlands – East Croft Nottingham Nottingham City Council aim to transform the area into the first carbon neutral city by 2028. With that in mind, Nottingham is a known growth area with significant plans for low carbon technology growth in the coming years whilst also handling existing network constraints. To enable this, Western Power Distribution are investing £3.5m in a new 33/11kV substation in the city centre. This investment will provide 24MW of extra capacity for demand and 18MW extra capacity for generation. Electricity North West Windermere Cumbria County Council’s Carbon Management Strategy aims for the county to become “carbon neutral” by 2037. Decarbonisation of transport plans include; tourist activity, which will ensure electric vehicle charging facilities at major tourist carparks, and the replacement of the existing aging diesel Windermere ferry with a new environmentally friendly electric ferry. To accommodate these new low carbon connections in the Windermere lakeside area, Electricity North West plan to invest approximately £700k to install 4km of 11kV cable to enhance the network capacity there before 2022. A further investment of up to £1m is planned to strengthen the upstream 33kV network to ensure the security of this new capacity. Electricity North West St Cuthbert’s Garden Village, Carlisle Building on Carlisle’s designation by the World Health Organisation as a World Healthy City, St Cuthbert’s will be a place that encourages and facilitates a healthy lifestyle. Walking and cycling, supportive neighbourhoods, planned educational facilities and a strong sense of community spirit will all improve health and wellbeing. An objective for St Cuthbert’s is to promote sustainable energy use and the development of renewable energy resources, where feasible. It will also set out to promote energy efficient buildings whilst maintaining thermal comfort levels. Renewable and low carbon heat supplies being considered for the sites include: Solar thermal Air source heat pumps Water source heat pumps Ground source heat pumps Energy from sewers Deep geothermal Energy from waste Industrial waste heat Electricity North West propose to utilise the replacement of the overhead lines that currently traverses the area with cables as an opportunity to uprate the circuits in the area and meet the developments needs for an additional 8.5MW of electrical capacity. The new electrical network will be designed with the requirements to support both electrical consumption and generation in mind, enabling the decarbonisation vision of the Garden Village. As well as installing a higher capacity replacement circuit, Electricity North West plan to install ducts to futureproof the development, enabling future cables to be easily installed, providing the potential for even more capacity. This includes provisions for the connection of electric vehicle charging capacity at Southwaite Service Station on the M6 motorway.
Insight Workplace Health, a provider of occupational health services to the construction sector across the UK, is celebrating achieving SEQOHS accreditation. SEQOHS, or Safe Effective Quality Occupational Health Service, is a set of standards and a process of accreditation that aims to help to raise the overall standard of care provided by occupational health services. Insight’s feedback from the assessment described it as having a team who are “clearly well motivated, enthusiastic and supportive of each other and the wider business”. It went on to say: “The assessors were impressed with the commitment and positive attitude of the occupational health team. The team are customer focused and work hard to obtain regular feedback from managers and staff.” Founded in 2009 by twins Liz Terry and Ellie Taylor, Insight has grown in the last 11 years from just two staff (Liz and Ellie) to over 30 employees. It now has bases in Llandarcy, Swansea; Newport, Gwent; and Ruthin, Denbighshire and serves clients across the whole of the UK with its mobile fleet. Key milestones have included its move into larger offices in Llandarcy in 2016 and the launch of its secure occupational health portal in 2015. In 2016 the company opened its purpose-built clinic in Imperial Park, Newport and in 2020 Insight Workplace Health was named as one Wales’ top 50 fastest growing companies on the Fast Growth 50 list. In the past year the company has taken on major contracts with the Welsh Government and Welsh Water and opened its new office in North Wales to facilitate the delivery of these. The company continues to expand in North Wales, most recently winning a contract to provide occupational health services for Conwy Council. “We’re delighted to have achieved this accreditation. Everybody within the company was very involved in the process. Having SEQOHS accreditation assures our customers that we’ve got good clinical governance, our nurses and doctors are engaged in continuous professional development and our clinical standards are as high as they can be. It gives important, independent and impartial recognition that we have demonstrated our competence,” said Insight Workplace Health co-founder Liz Terry. “This accreditation opens new avenues for us, because it means we can work with customers who only choose SEQOHS-accredited providers. It will also help us when we are hiring physicians, enabling us to attract the very best people to our team.”
Climate change isn’t recent news, but it’s become one of the major concerns in the last few years. This is because the impact of climate change is more apparent than ever, with 2020 named the hottest year on record and grim predictions about what will happen in the coming decades unless action is taken now. With activists such as Greta Thunberg and Sir David Attenborough using their platforms to make us more aware of how our actions are affecting the planet, more innovations and ideas are being formulated to try to stop – and hopefully reverse – the damage that’s been done. As such, consumers have been vocalising their concerns and businesses have been responding. Huge organisations have been asked to take responsibility for their role in climate change, and one way that they’re looking to redress the balance is by looking into the benefits of green construction. Basing their headquarters in more environmentally friendly buildings can be a game changer for leading corporations. But what is green construction? What are the implications for construction companies? And is it the solution businesses hope it will be? What is green construction? Green construction takes green building to the next level. Green building is a building that’s created, constructed, and run in a way that uses less resources, which, in turn has less impact on the environment. It has efficient water lighting and water systems in place and is built from sustainable materials. It also keeps the people working in the building healthy and productive, and costs less to maintain – both significant plus-points for businesses. However, while green building is moving things in the right direction, in terms of addressing climate change and the detrimental fallout of how rapidly temperatures are rising, green construction is likely to have a more lasting, holistic effect. This type of construction sees beyond a single green building and ensures that every element of the building process is done in a sustainable way, taking in not just the materials used, but the environment the building is sitting in. It’s construction that considers how to remain green at every stage, from ensuring eco-friendly materials are used and considering the type of fuel that operates the machinery used in the construction process, to sourcing non-toxic materials and using environmentally aware disposal methods. Green construction: the pros One of the most important advantages of green construction is that, as more companies introduced this type of construction, it can have a positive effect on the climate and the natural environment. Green buildings created through green construction methods can, by using less water, energy or natural resources, reduce the negative impacts on the environment. They can also, in the long run, generate their own energy or increase biodiversity. Green construction: the cons There are some things to consider when it comes to green construction, however. First, we need to question the materials used. While sourcing sustainable, eco-friendly building materials is key to this construction process, if they aren’t durable or are prone to damp or other concerns, their sustainable credentials diminish as they need to be maintained or totally replaced. Also, as this a relatively new process, there may be legal issues to consider. While green construction is likely to be something we see more and more of in the coming years, for now there are still questions about the legality of using the methods used. Policies, codes, and other rules are being reviewed and revised to ensure these buildings are safe just as much as they are green, and green construction businesses must be aware of these in order to avoid lawsuits. Things to consider For construction businesses that are making the move towards green construction methods, it’s worth taking the time to do the research int every element of the construction process. Are the materials sustainable and durable enough to withstand the British weather fronts? Are you up to speed on all the rules and regulations in place? Additionally, do you have insurance? Construction insurance is a significant form of protection that will cover you if things don’t go to plan. As a construction company, doing your research and asking questions means you could find that green construction is something that you could move towards.
The location of your HVAC system can make a huge difference in the efficiency and effectiveness of your heating, cooling, or climate control. But how do you know where to put it? This article will help you decide how to determine the right location. You can also consult HVAC experts like ActronAir to get more insights. 1. Deciduous Trees Deciduous trees are a common tree type, and these types of trees can shed leaves in the fall. When this happens, you’re likely to have an excessive amount of leaves blowing around your yard or driveway, which can clog up the air filter on your HVAC system. If there is more than one deciduous tree in the location, it would be best to place your HVAC system on a roof or higher level. This can prevent cotton wool or pollen from accumulating on the coils. And so before you install your air conditioner, check out for deciduous trees around the compound that may affect the airflow. 2. Shaded Location The HVAC system needs to be in a shaded area. It will keep the equipment cool and running efficiently, which can save you money on your energy bills by reducing how often it has to turn on. The only time this isn’t true is if the location gets too hot or cold outside, rendering that particular spot unacceptable for placement. If you put it in a shady area when it’s too cold, there’s a risk that your HVAC system will be working extra hard and use more energy than necessary, which is costly for you as well as for the environment. 3. Keep It Off Your Dog You’ll want to put a barrier preventing your dog from reaching the HVAC system because it could get in trouble. Some dogs have a habit of chewing on cord and so they can easily be electrocuted or cut their tongue and end up bleeding out as well. Dogs also lick themselves which means there’s always an increased risk for contamination. Plus any fur that’s on the ground will be blown into your ducts and spread around. They can also urinate on the HVAC system, which will cause damage, contamination, and rust. Putting up a barrier like a fence or a hedge will work out just fine when it comes to blocking off your dog. You also need to close any possible loophole that they may squeeze through. 4. Outdoor Activities When determining the right location for your HVAC system, it is important to consider outdoor activities that will be taking place in or around your home. If you’re always in your backyard or patio, then you’ll want to keep the system away from there. If not, then choose a spot that will be most convenient for your family members or guests. You also need to consider how far away it is from the power source and water supply. 5. Blending With Your Landscape You will want to make sure your AC blends into the landscape for a seamless look. This is especially important if you are installing it on an outside wall of your home or near a window. The best way to blend with the surroundings is by painting, brickwork, landscaping, and other exterior treatments. 6. Snowdrifts Don’t put your HVAC system where snowdrifts accumulate. If you live in a region that gets heavy snowfalls, ensure you leave a space between your HVAC and the house for snow removal equipment. That way, if your equipment gets buried in snow, it won’t affect the HVAC and shut it down. 7. Side Or Backyard Placing your HVAC system in the back or side yard is a good option for smaller homes with little space inside. In these situations, it’s best that the unit not face south because this would cause the power usage to spike during summer months and run up energy bills more quickly. 8. Water Runoff Most people install their heating and cooling systems on the roof, but this isn’t always a good idea. If you have a sloped or uncertain roof, it’s possible that water will get into your unit when there is heavy rain. This can damage your HVAC system over time because of rust buildup and other problems associated with excess moisture. To Sum Up… Location is an important factor when it comes to the efficiency and lifespan of your HVAC system. These tips will help you to determine the best location.
Homes are considered a safe place, and the word “shelter” translates to safety and protection. However, you cannot deny some dangers hidden in plain sight at your home. These hazards can lead to injuries if you fail to recognize them on time. Creating a safe environment at home is as essential as adding furniture and matching decors. If you are not sure how secure your home is, then it is time you start paying more attention to details. Read more to know some of the common safety hazards at home and how to avoid them. Avoiding Electrical Fire According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the US fire department visits around 300,000 homes every year to put out fires. However, by following simple precautionary measures, you can quickly improve fire safety at your home. Check if you have a working safety switch that will turn off the main power when an electrical appliance fails. Look for frayed appliance cords, light switches, and power cords. Always keep an eye on the power points, which are located close to a water source. Avoiding Slippage and Falls According to statistics, more than one-third of the emergency visits to the hospitals are because of accidental falls and slips. From falling down the staircase to slipping in the shower, sometimes falls can lead to severe injuries and, in some cases, even death. To avoid accidental falls, you must stabilize the stairs by testing the steadiness of the handrails, fix them to the floor properly and check whether there is sufficient lighting in the area. Monitoring CO Levels High exposure to carbon monoxide can cause impaired vision, vomiting, and even death. It is impossible to detect CO by smell, making it one of the most challenging threats to see. However, there are ways to avoid carbon monoxide-related injuries at home. You can install a CO detector at your house, which will alert you if the carbon monoxide level reaches a dangerous high. Other than the detector, ensure that you keep up with regular home maintenance by having an expert service the water heater, HVAC system, and other devices every year. Choking and Strangling Hazards Creating a safe environment at home is very important, especially if you have newborn babies or kids with you. In the US, choking is said to be the fourth leading cause of accidental deaths. Small toys are responsible for the most common safety hazards at homes. To avoid this, you must regularly inspect the toys for any broken or loose parts. It is also essential to have a baby monitor to listen in to any signs of choking. Next to choking, strangling by cords from curtains or blinds is the next common safety hazard for kids. Make sure not to place the kid’s crib or bed under or near a window with hanging cords. Secure the electrical cables and trim the hanging lines in the curtains to avoid accidental strangling. If your house is missing out on even one of the safety measures in this list, it is time you immediately check it out and take the required steps. You will never know when anything can go wrong. So, practice constant vigilance and, more importantly, practice all the safety measures.
