There are many ways Norvetts can help make your day-to-day life at home a little easier- here are a few suggestions. If you have any other ideas, please let us know. We work all over East Sussex, including Alfriston, Seaford, Lewes, Hailsham and Eastbourne areas.
- Lighting- The aim is to get good lighting directed where you need it, and with easily used controls and switches. The new LED bulbs use very little electricity, and give an excellent light with instant full brightness.
- For reading- a bright standard lamp or wall light with LED lamp.
- In the kitchen-strips of tiny LED lights under cabinets give a good light onto worktops.
- Remote control, or sensors, for sockets & lights.
- If light switches have become stiff to push, new ones may be easier.
- Pull cord switches can have a chunky end to grab (anyone practical can do this, not necessarily an electrician). Maybe also a guide eye on the wall so they don’t swing about so far.
- Hall & landing lights can be on sensors, or have illuminated switches.
- Low glow night lights are available to plug into a socket.
- Outside lighting should cover all steps and hazards, and a clear light onto keyholes is helpful. This should be placed to avoid being dazzled when you are inside, opening the door to a visitor.
- Power- The aim is to avoid trailing cables and extension leads (which can be a fire and tripping risk), and to put power where you need it to make life easier.
- Enough sockets near your regular seats for the items you need near to hand.
- Remote control to switch sockets on and off.
- Power for an electric recliner chair. This could be a floor socket if the chair is not near a wall.
- Power to a stair lift.
- A charging point for an electric scooter, maybe in the porch, or garage, or shed.
- All sockets to be easily reachable-maybe some are presently behind furniture, or very low down.
- PAT testing. Commercial premises have portable appliances (those with a plug on) checked regularly to ensure they are safe. A similar check in a domestic property could prevent unnecessary electrical problems and even a fire.
- Heating & hot water- Your heating needs may have altered if your lifestyle has changed. Electric heating, especially the new generation of storage heaters, has improved and can be very economical while giving you heat when you want it. Ask us for advice.
- Heating and water controls should be clear, easy to operate, and placed somewhere accessible and well-lit. (Probably not in the airing cupboard!).
- If you regularly plug in an extra heater, a permanently installed supplementary heater would be safer and could be much cheaper to run.
- If you have an instant hot water heater over a basin, sensor operated versions are available.
- Automation- Many small tasks around the home can be automated. Here are a few suggestions:-
- Electric curtain openers.
- Sensors for lights.
- For drivers, or electric scooter users, electric openers on gates or garage doors.
- Timers on appliances like the washing machine, so you can load it when convenient, but still use cheap rate electricity.
- If you use a computer, tablet or smart phone there are many more options.
- Security & safety-
- Intruder alarm system. A panic button might help alert neighbours to a problem.
- A simple card reader is a key fob which you wave near the alarm control box instead of entering the code. This can help if you find entering a code on the keypad tricky.
- Smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms are essential to give you time to leave the building.
- Smoke alarms are available for people with hearing difficulties.
- CCTV can “warn off” unwelcome visitors as well as monitor the security situation.
- Communications-
- A phone point, and power if needed, near your regular seat is convenient.
- If you have a personal alarm call system, the power and phone point for the base unit should be thoughtfully placed, so the emergency call handler can communicate with you. With some systems, when you press the alarm button round your neck, voice communication is through the base unit. If you cannot hear easily, or if you speak quietly, the base unit is better nearby.
- Door entry/intercom system with controls thoughtfully placed. This is not necessarily in the hall- if you find it difficult to move fast once you are settled, you may prefer the controls near your regular seat.
- Big button phone.
- For internet users, a service to help with installing security measures, sort spam filters etc.
If you would like advice from us on easier living, please contact us. We work throughout East Sussex, including around Alfriston, Seaford, Lewes, Hailsham and Eastbourne.
