Keep your house safe: the most common risks in Portugal and how to avoid them

A short circuit can lead to a fire, which can cause damage to those in the house, to household appliances, to furniture or to the house itself. In addition to the risk of fire, there are also floods, personal accidents or other risks. The list of household risks is enormous in Portugal, like anywhere, but there are always ways to avoid these kinds of unpleasant situations. The most important thing is to be attentive and think about prevention, not forgetting about the protection your home in Portugal.  

Our homes, like everything in life, need some regular care and some maintenance, to avoid unnecessary risks, especially since nowadays we have been spending a lot more time inside and health and safety precautions are more important than ever. If you've just bought a property in Portugal, then it's also important to check out the basic safety features before moving in to avoid taking unnecessary risks. Thinking of a safer and more protected home, Zurich Portugal has prepared a list of 10 key tips for a safe home in Portugal against the most common risks. 

1. To protect yourself from electrical hazards, avoid using damaged sockets or extension leads, and try to replace them as soon as possible if necessary. Make sure that the sockets and extensions do not come into direct contact with water. If you need to make more than one electrical connection, opt for an extension lead with the number of inputs required and avoid overlapping of extension leads;
2. To prevent failures and problems with household appliances, carry out regular cleaning and maintenance, keep them away from sources of heat or humidity, especially in the kitchen and bathroom and when you have to go away for long periods of time turn them off at the plug whenever possible. When you go on holiday, it is not advisable to leave any equipment on stand-by. To ensure a longer life cycle of household appliances, always consult the instruction manual and in case of any sort of technical issue, it is best to contact a specialist technician;
3. Regarding the risk of fire, it is recommended that you always keep flammable products away from heat sources, keep an eye on the cooker whenever it is on and, in the case that your home smells of gas, you should quickly close the safety valve and contact a specialist technician. Arrange periodic checks of the electrical system in your home in order to identify any anomalies;
4. Regarding the risk of water damage, such as blocked pipes, the recommendation is to use a filter in the kitchen sink and in the bathroom, in order to prevent dirt from accumulating in the pipes, such as leftover food or hair. Also take the opportunity to regularly clean pipes with products indicated for this purpose;
5. Looking at the risk of damage to furniture during cleaning or moving, check that the fixed furniture, which may be bolted to the wall or built-in, is well assembled to prevent falls and damage.
6. To prevent falls or accidents inside the house, always keep it tidy and free of objects and clutter on the floor, including electrical extension cables. Choose anti-slip mats in the various rooms of the house and take special care with wet floors in the bathroom and kitchen;
7. If you have a garden, regularly maintain the space in order to reduce the risk of deterioration and damage to shrubs, hedges, trees, outdoor furniture or other components;
8. It is also important to prevent the risk of theft. For the safety of your home and family, do not open the door to anyone that you do not know and, whenever you are outside or inside the house, lock the door. If you go on holiday or are away for a long time, inform the security authorities and your neighbours so that they can be on the lookout for suspicious behaviour;
9. To avoid the risks caused by storms, keep an eye on weather forecast and follow the recommendations of the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera) and Civil Protection;
10. To protect yourself from all the risks above, it is recommended in Portugal to take out multi-risk insurance that guarantees the protection of your home, your property and, of course, your family.