4 day-to-day emergencies and how to handle them
Life emergencies never get any easier. When a major event occurs and disrupts your work routine, home life, and even personal relationships, it can take a while for things to settle down. Sometimes, it might be necessary to get help with stress after a major emergency too.
While it’s never possible to predict when a life emergency could happen, there are a few things you can do to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
4 ‘life admin’ nightmares and how to get through them
1.Boiler problems
It’s especially important to keep an eye on your boiler’s health during the cooler winter months, as it’s the sole device that keeps your heating powered through the colder months. You can help to prevent boiler breakdowns by ensuring regular maintenance and using the heating often.
If you do experience issues with your boiler, the situation should be handled by professionals. For combi boilers or any other mains gas-powered system, it’s essential that you only call out an engineer on the Gas Safe Register.
2.Car breakdown
Not having your car around can significantly disrupt your routine. If you’re used to just hopping in and doing the school run, picking up friends and family, or commuting to work, then a breakdown or serious mechanical fault could throw everything off schedule.
To reduce the chances of a breakdown giving you serious grief, there are a few important steps to take. Firstly, you should make regular servicing appointments to keep your car in sound mechanical condition. Get noises checked out as soon as you notice them, and make sure to get covered with short-term car insurance if you need to borrow a different vehicle.
3.Water leaks
No matter where it is, finding a leak in your home can be distressing and potentially devastating. If it’s a serious leak, your belongings, furnishings, and even structural elements of your home could be damaged, which could demand costly repairs or replacements.
If you catch a leak in its early stages, knowing a few tips could help to reduce the damage potential. Firstly, knowing where your stopcock valve is located means that you can shut off the water supply to all pipes and taps in your home, preventing the leak from getting worse.
During winter, you should always take the necessary steps to ensure that your pipes don’t freeze up, as this could significantly increase the likelihood of a leak. If you’re leaving the house for several days, for example, keep the heating on a low setting to keep warmth flowing.
4.Pet injuries or illness
It’s upsetting when your cat or dog suddenly seems unwell. Whether they started vomiting, stopped eating their food or show other symptoms, it’s important to see a veterinary professional as soon as possible. And along with the worries you’ll feel for your pet, this situation comes with high costs.
Vet bills add up quickly, especially if you need to make multiple trips back and forth. In the UK, vets’ fees are not standardised, and it will cost money just for your pet to be seen, with most vets charging a ‘consultation fee’ of at least £30. To help you keep the costs as low as possible, getting comprehensive insurance for your pet is a must.
Overview
No matter the situation, keeping prepared could save you a lot of time, money and hassle. If you have any doubts about your ability to cover an emergency, don’t hesitate to speak to a finance professional.