Johannesburg - Owning a home is a monumental achievement, but – as the world of investment always reminds us, every reward comes with an element of risk. From potential break-ins and accidents to natural disasters, your home faces many different risks. According to the latest Santam Insurance Barometer report, almost 30% personal lines respondents said they had filed a home contents claim in the last 24 months, while 36% said they had claimed for building or geyser issues over the same period.

Commenting on this is Marius Kemp, Head of Personal Underwriting at Santam, who says that in today’s fast-paced world, where homeowners juggle so many different responsibilities from day-to-day, keeping an eye on your home’s safety can sometimes fall off your radar. “But protecting your home, its contents and the people you live with is not an insurmountable task – all it takes is a few practical steps, a little bit of initiative and vigilance.”

To do this, Marius Kemp, Head of Personal Underwriting at Santam suggests taking the following 6 steps:

1. Check your geyser

Burst geysers and faulty plumbing are some of the most common causes for insurance claims. Apart from the cost of replacing an actual burst geyser, the costs from the resultant water damage can be substantial and have the ability to worsen over time. 

Mitigating this risk requires a few regular check-ups, starting with your geyser. “Don't feel too bad if you've never even seen your geyser (many people haven't). Once you've seen it, go outside to locate the overflow pipe. If it is dripping, this is a sign of trouble, and you’ll need to get a plumber to come and check it out. Next, you'll need a ladder and a torch. If the geyser is accessible, conduct a quick check of its condition. If it's looking old, damp or rusty – in fact if you have any suspicions whatsoever about its structural condition, call in a plumber to have it checked.”

Remember that as part of your regular home safety checks, you should have the sacrificial node on your geyser replaced every one to two years to extend the lifespan of your geyser.  If you have an older home or haven't checked on your geyser for a few years, this should be near the top of your to-do list.

2. Find out where the switch is for your water mains

Do you know where the switch is for your water mains? If the worst does happen and you have a burst geyser or pipe, whoever is in the home should be able to switch it off. For this reason, the next thing on your to-do list should be to locate the mains and inform everyone in the household where it is and how to operate it.

Being prepared for incidents like burst pipes can prevent extensive water damage, which is not only costly but can also disrupt your home life. While your home insurance policy may cover the damage, quick action can help reduce the extent of the harm, making the claims process smoother and less stressful.

3. Add some security lighting

According to the latest report by the South African Police Service, contact crimes – which include murder, robbery and assault, have risen over the last year. During the first part of the year, contact crimes increased by 2.6% to 153 657 incidents in just a few months, with most of these incidents occurring in residences.

These findings are an important call-to action for South African homeowners to prioritise their own personal safety as well as that of their homes and possessions. Adding lights with sensors at strategic points on your property is a good crime deterrent. Focus on areas around entrances such as your garage and front door. This is probably something to talk to your security company – or a specialist – about, rather than tackling yourself.

4. Do some strategic gardening

Another proactive step you can take is to clear up as much space around your house for maximum visibility. Kemp recommends that if you have a small jungle growing around your property that intruders could easily hide in, use as a climbing aid, or that obscures your view when pulling out onto the road, now is a good time to do some trimming. This is particularly important for the front of your property, near the main entrance or garage.

5. Make sure your braai area is safe

Another major risk that homeowners face is the risk of fire. Many South Africans take for granted how easily a fire can start – from a discarded cigarette butt or a candle left unattended, to an electrical fault, a fire can be ignited in many different ways.

If you have a braai area, it’s important to check if any clutter has built up that may become a fire hazard. Look out for dry vegetation, bird nests in chimneys, and furniture too close to the fire, and check that there is a safe place to keep fire lighting equipment. Also make sure you have a bucket of sand or easy source of water nearby.

6. Get a fire blanket and extinguisher

Lastly, having some kind of fire-fighting equipment on hand is also highly recommended. “You may have the latest in Jamie Oliver cookbooks and Le Creuset pans, but if you haven't got a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket (suitable for fires that cannot be extinguished by water) within easy reach, you're missing some essential kitchenware. As many household fires start in the kitchen, these are important tools for extinguishing a fire before it gets out of control,” says Kemp.