It’s easy to get caught up in home improvements that add curb appeal or general aesthetics to our biggest tangible investments. But have you ever wondered about the health factors that go into the structure of a house? There’s are several intangible safety features that help deliver long-term and short-term health benefits to your living space. What are they? You probably already know about a few, but there are many.
Homeowners can enhance their residences in ways that don’t always come to mind when you make a list of the most common improvements. People usually talk about adding decks, doing interior and exterior paint jobs, or re-doing bathrooms and kitchens. The other side of the discussion involves improvement jobs that aren’t so obvious but are equally important, like child-proofing, adding access ramps, installing security systems, and putting in fire-resistant insulation. Here are some of the most effective, cost-efficient ways to make your living quarters healthier and safer.
Add Ramps
Access ramps are almost the perfect job for the do it yourself enthusiast. Not only do they add long-term value to a property, but they’re generally easy enough to install. Even if you opt to construct them yourself, supply expenses are minimal. Some of the clever versions of ramps include removable ones that fold up and include their own set of rollers. Not only are they easy to move but even simpler to store when you don’t need them.
Install an Elevator
Not only do in-home elevators look great and add value to any structure, they add a huge degree of safety for seniors and youngsters, explains Stiltz residential elevators on its site. That’s because residential elevators, which are becoming more popular each year, eliminate the need for long staircases. Unfortunately, many people fall and injure themselves when trying to negotiate steps. Whether you live with older parents or grandparents, or just want your living space to be a much safer place, a private elevator makes sense.
Buy a Security System
Alarm and surveillance systems for the home have been coming down in price for the last few years. That means they’re near the top of the list when folks begin to do minor enhancements of their living space. For a modest amount of money, it’s possible to install all-around camera surveillance, motion-activated lighting, smart locks, and comprehensive alarms. The big advantage of these types of add-ons, in addition to the low cost, is that they are all in the DIY category.
Consider Fire-Resistant Features
You can opt for the DIY route on making your house more fire-resistant or hire professional help. In fact, it’s relatively simple to put in several layers of the latest fire insulation strips in attics, ground-floor walls, basements, or anywhere else. More complex features in this niche, like specialty paints, sprinklers, and intuitive heat alarms, are best left to a professional.
Put in Non-Skid Flooring
One of the least expensive ways to add a layer of safety and health-enhancement to a house is with non-skid flooring. The ideal DIY job for just about anyone, adding this stuff to every non-carpeted floor in your home costs little and can be done in a day or two.
