Daily Deals from a Nerd Mom

Home emergencies can be stressful, but there are steps you can take to minimize the impact of unexpected problems and save time and money. In this helpful guide, we’ll share some top tips to reduce stress when things go wrong.

Create an emergency contact list

If you don’t already have an emergency contact list, now is the time to make one. Write down a list of numbers you can call if you have any urgent issues with your home. This should include  24/7 electricians and plumbers, companies that provide emergency water heater repair services, and businesses that specialize in flood, fire and water damage restoration, for example. It’s also wise to ensure that you have insurance details to hand in case you need to make a claim. If you have a list of trusted service providers and contractors, you can call straight away, ensuring you get help as quickly as possible. 

Seek urgent professional help

The first thing to do if you have an emergency at home is to seek urgent professional help. From broken heating systems and damaged roofs to flooding and burst pipes, it’s always best to call in the professionals as soon as possible. There may be things you can do to reduce the risk of further damage or protect your home before experts arrive, but it’s always beneficial to check first. If you attempt repairs that are beyond your skill set or pose risks, for example, you could do more damage or sustain injuries.

If you don’t have a contact list, search online for local companies that offer the services you need. Look for approved businesses that have a high rating and read reviews. It’s also helpful to ask your neighbors for recommendations. Local social media groups are also brilliant for locating companies in your area. 

Set up an emergency fund and check your insurance policies

One of the main reasons people fear unexpected issues is the cost of repairs. New water heaters, roof replacement, electrical work and building repairs can be expensive. To minimize financial stress, make sure you check your insurance policies frequently and consider buying new plans if you don’t have comprehensive insurance. Check renewal dates and use comparison websites to find the best offers. Contact your provider if the renewal cost has increased or you want to add extras. The cheapest policies are not always the best value for money. Shopping around can often lead you to better deals. 

As well as investing in comprehensive home and contents insurance, it’s also helpful to set up an SOS fund. If you have a pot of money available, you can dip into your emergency fund to cover unexpected bills or bridge gaps if you’re waiting for your provider to process your insurance claim. Even if you can only save a small amount each month, this will help if you need cash fast. If you’re setting up a new savings account, try to transfer funds on payday. This will ensure that you boost the account regularly. If you leave it until the end of the month, you may find that you don’t have enough money to add to your savings. 

Put an emergency kit together

If your home was hit by a storm or the power went off suddenly, would you be able to cope? Do you have the emergency supplies you need to get by for an hour, a day or even a week? If the answer to this question is ‘no,’ it’s a good idea to put an emergency kit together. Items include non-perishable foods and bottled water, matches and candles, batteries and battery-operated lamps and flashlights, essential toiletries and a first aid kit. Make sure you have a supply of medicine if you’re taking prescription medication and stocks of food if you have a pet. Add a portable phone charger and make sure you have spare blankets and warm clothes.

But when it comes to bottled water, you have a couple of options. You can either buy from from the grocery store, but if you want to save money, you can even bottle up the water yourself (such as in old and clean gallon jugs) and then store them in a safe place. But ideally, before you do that, you might want to look into the quality of water your tap offers.

But why does this matter? Well, not all water companies are as cautious or as clean as American Water, and a lot of them take shortcuts in order to boost profits. So that does mean higher chances of your water being contaminated. So overall, you just really need to be careful and cautious, and it’s better to know beforehand if your drinking water is safe (so ideally, buy a test water kit to find out).

Follow advice

Natural disasters are one of the most common causes of home emergencies, such as fire and flood damage. If your home is at risk, follow advice from authorities and emergency services. Listen to news bulletins and check social media for updates. If authorities recommend leaving the area, resist the temptation to stay at home. Pack a bag of essentials and valuable items and find a place to stay. Ask friends and family members for help, or contact local services and charities for information about temporary accommodation options. 

Home emergencies can cause a huge amount of stress and distress, but there are steps you can take to make the situation more manageable. Create an emergency contact list and try to put money aside in an SOS fund. Make sure you have an emergency kit at home with essentials to help you cope if you don’t have access to clean water, electricity or heating. Seek urgent professional help and follow advice from local authorities and emergency services.