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Holiday Let Outside Lighting

Illuminate the way to your Holiday Let with Outside Lighting

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It’s time to consider how well you illuminate the way to your holiday letting property with outside lighting. With British Summer Time at an end for another year the mornings and nights will soon be much darker. So if you’re welcoming guests during the winter months, ask yourself how well-lit is the exterior of your holiday home and the paths that lead to it?   Holiday Let Outside Lighting

Reducing the risks of slips, trips and falls with outside lighting

It’s important that all paths, steps and approaches to the entrance to your holiday home are illuminated sufficiently. Carefully positioning outside lighting will reduce the risks of slips, trips and falls.

During the winter months’ guests may not only have to deal with arriving or departing whilst it’s dark, they may also have to endure the cold, ice or rain that often accompanies the great British winter.

Slippery surfaces can become real hazards once the sun has gone down, and if you combine this with the fact that your guests won’t be familiar with the layout of your cottage and the approaches that lead to it, it further emphasises the importance of lighting these clearly for them to follow.

Should a guest trip and fall when approaching your holiday home at night, any injury claim will be impossible to defend if your paths and steps are not well lit.

Making things easy – lighting your key safe

The majority of holiday homes will have a key safe. They provide your guests convenient access no matter what time they’re arriving. You should ideally have a light in this area so guests are able to easily see the key code. There’s nothing worse than trying to find some sort of light, whether via a smart phone or a torch they keep in the car. Especially when all they want to do is get in, start their holiday and relax after a long drive.

Making sure they’re at the right place

Lighting the name or number of your property will give your guests confidence they’ve arrived at the right place. With our ever extending reliance on sat-navs, this can be an important feature if they’re arriving at night when they can’t fully see the exterior of the cottage. An added bonus if your cottage is in the countryside when a postcode may cover several different roads.

Options for reducing electricity bills on lighting

Whilst LED lights have become increasingly common within the interior and exterior of holiday homes to reduce potential energy bills (research has indicated they can save you up to £200 per year in an average household by being 10 times more efficient than their candescent counterparts), there are a number of solutions that could cut the costs of external lighting on your holiday home.

If you’re looking at the pathways to your property have you consider solar powered lights. These can be quick and easy to install, cost effective to buy and should still emit light in the darkest days of winter. However be sure to purchase good quality solar lights that will stand up to the job.

Looking to light that key safe? Consider motion censored lighting. Whilst there is a cost, it should soon pay for itself. Lighting triggered by motion can also scare off potential intruders looking to gain entry to your holiday home.

Maintaining your outside lighting

Ensure that all of your bulbs and outside lighting are regularly checked. This may be by you, your housekeeper, caretaker or whomever is responsible for the continued upkeep of your property. Whilst it’s only a small job, a faulty bulb can end up on a busy to-do list. Therefore ensure that as soon as there is an issue it is quickly resolved. This will make life easier for your guests and make their stay safer. It may even save you a costly holiday home insurance liability claim.

Boshers offer specialist holiday home and property insurance to holiday cottage owners across the country. For more information on our policies have a look around Boshers website. For a quote or to ask any question please give our team a call on 01237 429444.

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Essential Decking Maintenance for Holiday Lets

Walkout deck with jacuzzi and pergola. Patio area with barbecue

Adding a timber decking area to your holiday home can bring many benefits to your guests; the perfect setting to make the most of long summer nights, increased space and freedom, and the ideal spot to read a book or enjoy an alfresco meal. These are just a few of the reasons decking areas have become increasingly popular, and equally common for holiday homes across the UK in recent years.

Whilst a decking may seem the ideal place to relax, they can pose a number of potential risks to your guests, and none more so than the potential for guests to slip. We take a look at the steps you can take to minimise the risk of your decking becoming unsafe and ensure your guests are able to safely enjoy your outdoor areas.

Decking Maintenance for Holiday Lets 

Many people will at some time have tried pressure washing their decking, which given that timber can be susceptible to a build up of algae and fungi, may on first thought seem like a sensible solution. However, pressure washing of this nature is not ideal for wood as it can destroy the surface of the timber, allowing more water to penetrate and lead to premature rotting. If you do use a pressure washer it’s advised not to hold the nozzle too close to the surface and spray in the direction of the grain whilst keeping the jet moving so as not to expose the timber to excessive wear.

Preventing algae, fungus, moss and lichen growth

In terms of preventing and managing algae, fungus, moss and lichen growth as we move toward the wetter winter months, consider investing in a spray that will treat potential growth.  These can be purchased at any number of local DIY stores and it’s advisable to apply them twice a year to prevent unwanted build up of slippery growth. You may be tempted to use a chlorine based bleach, although this is neither friendly to the plants and animals in your garden or to your own health.

Looking for a more environmentally friendly alternative?

If like many of us you are looking for a more environmentally friendly alternative, consider using Oxygen bleach (Sodium Percarbonate). This free flowing powder, common name solid hydrogen peroxide is an environmentally safe bleaching agent which breaks down into oxygen, water and sodium carbonate upon decomposition. When added to warm water it can be used as an effective treatment to kill fungus and algae. This method combined with regular brushing with a stiff broom will keep the unwanted growth at bay.

Whilst sprays will eradicate potential algae growth, the inclement British weather means your decking could quickly resemble more of a slippery ice rink than a place for you to enjoy the summer evenings with your family as soon as the temperature dips and heavens open.

Non-slip decking strips

The grooving in many decking systems is also conducive to the build up of ice during the coldest months of the year, meaning your decking can quickly become treacherous.  So, how do you ensure guests aren’t slipping and sliding dangerously as soon as they venture outside, particularly if they’re staying with you this autumn or winter?

Decking strips, whilst affecting the visual ascetic of your decking, are the most effective way of ensuring your decking doesn’t become slippery. They’re able to be fitted in a number of different widths, and will reduce the regularity with which your decking will need to be treated, and cleaned. Indeed new decking timbers are now available with non-slip surfaces set in to the topside of the timber, a serious consideration if you’re thinking of replacing tired decking or installing a new one.

If you’re adverse to the visual of a decking strip there are non-slip paints which can be applied to your decking to increase the level of friction between the decking and the person walking on it. If you do use these sprays, ensure you have procedures in place to regularly inspect, and re-spray as necessary.

Decking Railings and Balustrades

If you have decking outside your holiday home, the chances are that it will be in a raised position. If you don’t already, consider if the addition of a balustrade or railing would be suitable. Seek advice from your installer and or local authority on regulations surrounding decking installation to ensure that you comply with all planning laws and building regulations.

Decking Risk Assessment Procedures

Consider your safety and that of your guests in your risk assessment procedures. Implement a maintenance plan to reduce the risks of slips, trips and falls on your decking as far as possible. Include guidance for the use of the decking in your welcome information folder and continue to monitor the risk.

A quality holiday home insurance policy such as that offered by Boshers for UK holiday lets will include employers and public liability cover to indemnify you against your legal liability to pay damages and legal costs arising out of bodily injury to employees or accidental injury to guests or other visitors to your holiday let. However limiting the risk of slips and trips in your holiday home through prevention is always better than cure! We trust you have found these tips on essential decking maintenance for holiday lets of benefit.

You may also find the following post on preventing slips and trips of interest:

Boshers offer specialist holiday home insurance to owners across the UK. For more information on how a specialist insurer can help and support your holiday home business, please give us a call on 01237 429444.

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clearing snow from holiday home path

Preparing your holiday home for snow

The first signs of snow are often met with as much excitement as they are trepidation, but for holiday homeowners the falling of the white stuff brings with it a range of different issues and none more important than ensuring the safety of your guests.

To view our `Preparing your holiday home for snow’ infographic full size, click here.

You can view the full size interactive version of our `Preparing your holiday home for snow’ infographic by clicking here.

Top tips for preparing your holiday home for snow

Here’s our top tips for preparing your holiday home for snow and dealing with it effectively once it’s arrived.

Be prepared and take action

The majority of snow that falls in the UK will be accompanied with much fanfare on all weather forecasts. If snow is due in your area don’t wait until it’s too late; consider placing rock salt on the paths and walkways to your holiday home so there is clear access for visitors. This should include the entrance to any garages or where your guests will park their cars. Rock salt is available for a few pounds per 25kg bag from the large DIY stores and builders merchants.

clearing snow from holiday home path

You should also ensure drains and guttering are clear from blockages and able to cope with the increased levels of water when the snow melts.

Use rock salt rather than hot water

Whilst pouring warm or boiling hot water on snow will provide an immediate solution to any potential buildup, this water can quickly refreeze and cause treacherous icy conditions.

Rock salt is a far more suitable solution to dissipate or prevent the build up of snow. If rock salt isn’t available then sand or ash can also be used as an alternative, although they are not as effective at preventing refreezing in cold winter conditions.

Don’t block drains when moving snow

If you need to move snow away from pathways think carefully about where you place the snow being moved.

Blocked drains can often be the cause of significant damage to property. With the increased levels of water running through drainage systems once melting begins it is vital that these are free to take the upturn in water volume.

Ensure your own safety

If you are moving snow or taking measures to ensure your property is accessible make sure it is safe for you to do so.

It’s advisable to create a central path for yourself, from where you can work outwards on cleared land and thus avoiding shoveling snow from an unstable or slippery base.

Also beware that black ice could have formed underneath the snow. Consider placing salt on the pathway and returning to move any other snow later in the day, during daylight hours when temperatures are likely to be slightly higher and visibility greater.

Have you got guests in your holiday home?

If snow is forecast or has already fallen think carefully about how you communicate this with your guests. The more information you provide visitors with the better they will be able to handle the weather conditions.

For example, should they only be using the front entrance to your holiday home?

Are there any routes that they should be avoiding?

Are they fully aware of what to do if the pathways to your cottage become blocked or the facilities or items within your holiday home that would enable them to safely combat such situations?

Be as proactive as you can be in communicating the risks of snow to your guests, along with how they can be safely mitigated.

The after effects

It’s important to highlight that potential issues don’t disappear with the thawing of the snow. The heaviest snowfall often occurs between two and zero degrees centigrade. These conditions, when combined with increased water levels from melting and other winter weather can mean potentially longer lasting damage to your property and its surrounds.

Ensure that you check drains and guttering for any blockages or damage, and also that pathways are still in a safe condition once the snow has passed. You may also find the following posts on preventing slips and trips and burst pipes of interest:

Boshers offer specialist holiday home insurance to owners across the UK. For more information on how a specialist insurer can help and support your holiday home business, please give us a call on 01237 429444.

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Key to protecting your holiday let

Protecting your holiday let infographic

Your key to protecting your holiday let. As claims increase so do premiums. Fortunately there’s lots you can do to protect your holiday let, your guests and help keep insurance costs down. Take the time to read this informative infographic which explains some of the more common claims affecting holiday homes. There are also top tips on how you can protect your holiday let and reduce the risk of having a claim yourself.

If you are having any trouble viewing the interactive version of `Your key to protecting your holiday let’ you can view the original infographic here.

Your key to protecting your holiday let

Burst pipes and escape of water. We paid out more holiday home insurance claims for burst pipe and escape of water than any other type of claim. What can you do to protect your holiday let from burst pipes and escape of water?

  • Ongoing maintenance
  • Regular property inspections when unoccupied
  • Shut off the water when your holiday home is not let and/or leave the heating on
  • Install a leak detection system or auto stopcock
  • Insulate water pipes and storage tanks
  • Regularly service your holiday home boiler and heating system

Click here for more top tips to protect your holiday let from burst pipes and escape of water.

Storm and flood damage caused £400 million pounds of damage to 8000 homes in the UK during 2012 thanks to the wettest weather in a century.  What can you do to protect your holiday let and your guests from storm and flood damage?

  • Maintain drains, gutters and culverts at your holiday home
  • Have a flood plan if your property is vulnerable
  • Turn off gas and electricity and move items upstairs

Click here for more top tips to protect your holiday let and your guests from storm and flood damage

Theft and escape of oil and pollution claims payments have averaged £12,781. The cost of heating oil claims are often inflated by the length of time it can render your holiday home unusable whilst resulting pollution is dealt with. What can you do to protect your holiday let from heating oil theft, escape of oil and subsequent pollution damage?

  • Conceal your heating oil tank
  • Fit a lock, security lighting or alarm device
  • Have your heating oil tank inspected regularly
  • Replace your tank when advised to do so

Click here for more tips to protect your holiday let from heating oil theft, escape of oil and subsequent pollution damage

Fire was the cause of the highest claim paid of any incident on our holiday home insurance scheme. At £281,108 the claim represents more than 700 times our average premium. What can you do to protect your holiday let and your guests from a fire?

  • Review your holiday let fire risk assessments 
  • Ensure electrics are safe
  • Sweep chimneys regularly

Click here for more tips to protect your holiday let and your guests from a fire.

Slips and Trips claims are all to common and emphasises the importance of having holiday home insurance including liability cover which extends to the use of your second home as a holiday let. Slips and trip claims can be inflated by legal costs. The highest claims paid for slips and trips is £31,750. What can you do to protect your holiday let guests from slips, trips and falls?

  • Secure carpets and rugs
  • Install secure handrails for stairs and steps
  • Maintain paths, driveways and patios

Click here for more tips to protect your holiday let guests from slips, trips and falls.

For further information on UK holiday home insurance visit the website page most relevant to you:

Thank you for reading the post, protecting your holiday let infographic.

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Somerset County Gazette

Tragic death at holiday cottage near Porlock

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A holidaymaker died after a tragic accident at a holiday cottage near Porlock, an inquest has heard.

Somerset County Gazette

Angela Turnball from Bournemouth was 55 when she fell down stairs at a property on Horner Farm last year.

To read the full story `Tragic death at holiday cottage newar Porlock’ as reported by the Somerset County Gazette on the 3rd September 2012 visit their website here

This is an extremely sad story which we are bringing to the attention of holiday home owners via our holiday home insurance blog in the hope that similar accidents may be averted.

Guidance on making your holiday home safer for you and your guests can be found in our recent post:- Limiting the risks of slips and trips in your holiday home

For further information on UK holiday home insurance visit the website page most relevant to you:

Thank you for reading Tragic death at holiday cottage near Porlock.

For information on specialist insurance for commercially let UK holiday homes, cottages and apartments visit Boshers insurance website at www.boshers.co.uk/holiday-home-insurance

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Slips, trips and falls

Limiting the risk of slips and trips in your holiday home

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Slips, trips and falls

Slips, trips and falls

The old adage, “prevention is better than cure” is never truer than when applied to limiting the risk of slips and trips in your holiday home letting property. As holiday home insurance specialists we see public liability claims made by guests and occasionally employees all too often.

Slips and trips are one of the most common causes of of non-fatal major injuries to employees and they also account for over half of all reported accidents to members of the public.

Limiting the risk of slips and trips in your holiday home

All employers and anyone who is in control of premises visited regularly by members of the public should assess and manage the risk of slips and trips at their premises. Slips and trips can result in injuries which may lead to compensation awards that can often be substantial.

Health and Safety legislation affecting holiday home owners

All employers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees and also those not in their employment at their holiday home premises under the Health and Safety at work Act 1974. Subsequent regulations describe te duty to carry out risk assessments and set out specific responsibilities with respect to ensuring a safe work place.

Those in control of premises also have duties under the Occupiers Liability Act 1984. This is defined as follows and clearly extends to control of slip and trip hazards:-

“A duty to take such care as in the circumstance of the case is reasonable to see that the visitor will be reasonably safe in using the premises for the purposes for which he is invited or permitted by the occupier to be there.”

Key questions you should ask yourself about your holiday home

  • Are the internal floor surfaces of your holiday home in good condition?
  • Do you regularly inspect your floors to ensure that they remain in good condition? Have a procedure to ensure that damage is repaired promptly.
  • Have you secured floor coverings such as rugs, mats and carpets?
  • Do you have handrails securely fitted as an aid for climbing steps and stairs?
  • Is your lighting fit for purpose?
  • Have you installed suitable show screens or curtains to minimise water spillage on shower room or bathroom floors?
  • Have you removed tripping hazards such as trailing cables?
  • Are cleaning substances chosen to reduce risk of slippery surfaces?
  • Are the external paths, driveways, patios and steps in good condition, free of defects such as unevan, loose or broken paving bricks, slabs or potholes?
  • Do you have a regular cleaning rota to ensure that your paths are cleared of leaves, lichen and moss which can become slippery when wet?

Good holiday home housekeeping, risk assessments and key action steps

Good holiday home housekeeping is the first and the most important method of preventing falls due to slips and trips. Make it easy for your housekeeper and guests to report any defects within your holiday let and have them rectified as soon as possible. Without good housekeeping practices any other preventative measures will never be fully effective.

Risk assessments for holiday home slips and trips should be carried out to identify possible hazards.

  • Look for slip and trip hazards
  • Decide who might be harmed and how
  • Consider the risks
  • Are there suitable controls in place?
  • If not, determine new/improved control and implement
  • Record your findings as this goes a long way to demonstrate your positive attitude to Health & Safety in the event of a claim against you
  • Review on a regular basis

Key action steps for holiday home owners

  • Ensure that new flooring surfaces are installed so that they are, as far as is practicable, free from tripping and slipping hazards
  • Conduct routine inspections to ensure that all surfaces are free from slip and trip hazards
  • Ensure that rotine maintenance is carried out to remedy defects
  • Implement a sound housekeeping programme

References:-

Preventing slips, trips and falls at work INDG 225 – Free

Workplace health, safety and welfare INDG 244 – Free Available from HSE Books

A quality holiday home insurance policy such as that offered by Boshers for UK holiday lets will include employers and public liability cover to indemnify you against your legal liability to pay damages and legal costs arising out of bodily injury to employees or accidental injury to guests or other visitors to your holiday let. However limiting the risk of slips and trips in your holiday home through prevention is always better than cure!

Follow this link for posts similar to limiting the risks of slips and trips in your holiday home and other useful resources for holiday home owners

For further information on UK holiday home insurance visit the website page most relevant to you:

Thank you for reading limiting the risks of slips and trips in your holiday home.

For further advice and information on specialist holiday home insurance for UK holiday let properties visit www.boshers.co.uk/holiday-home-insurance

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