Holiday tips

Here are a few steps to ensure your air-conditioner is working flawlessly all year round.

• Ensure that you service your air-conditioning unit at least once a year.
• Enlist only qualified air-conditioning service personnel.
• Ensure that clogged/dirty filters are routinely cleaned or replaced.
• Clean and flush the unit’s drain line regularly to prevent excess moisture.
• Keep external doors and windows closed.
• Keep windows, which are exposed to the sun, shaded by using internal blinds or curtains.
• Refer to the energy-saving factsheet for more information.

Gas barbecue grilling safety guidelines

Ensure that you take proper precautions while enjoying a grilling session with family and friends

• Gas bottles should never be stored indoors – it’s best to store them outdoors in a well-ventilated space.
• If you store your barbecue or patio heater indoors when not in use, you should always detach the gas bottle first and store it separately outdoors.
• Gas bottles should always be stored upright and away from any ignition sources.
• Never use your barbecue indoors because of the risk of toxic fumes, smoke or fire.
• Children should be kept safely away from barbecues and gas bottles.
• Cracked or damaged hoses and/or gas regulators should be replaced before use.
• Check hoses occasionally to make sure they have not perished by brushing or spraying on soapy water and checking for bubbles.
• Check connections to make sure that they are clean and fitting snugly.
• Always read the barbecue manufacturer’s operating instructions.
• When you have finished using your barbecue, turn off the gas bottle first and then at the barbecue controls.
• If you notice any leakage from the valve of a small cylinder, move the cylinder to a safe location at least 20 metres from any possible source of ignition.

It’s crucial that you take precautions to ensure your home is always protected against fire hazards

• Conduct regular maintenance of the smoke/heat detectors within your villa.
• Refrain from smoking in non-designated areas.
• Refrain from storing flammable liquids/materials in your garage or balconies.
• Avoid overloading electrical circuits with too many high voltage appliances, such as televisions and computers.
• Don’t throw cigarette butts – lit or otherwise – from your property.
• Refer to the fire safety fact sheet and a quick guide during an emergency for more information.

If you run into plumbing or electrical hitches in and around your home, here are a few points to keep in mind:

• Turn off the water to a faulty fixture by using the shutoff valves located under or behind the unit.
• If you notice a leak in the bath or shower, turn off the water at the fixture and arrange for a repair service. Do not use the shower or bath until it has been fixed.
• If there is a leak in the water heater, use the shutoff valve on top of the heater to turn off the water and arrange to drain the water heater.
• If you notice water spots on your walls or ceilings, try to trace the leaks to one location (toilet, sink or tub) and turn off the water to that fixture. Arrange for service through a third party provider.
• If a power outage occurs, inspect circuit breakers, including the main breaker. If a breaker appears damaged, arrange for service. If the breakers are not damaged, turn them all off and back on again, one at a time.
• If there is no power to an electrical outlet, check if it is connected to a wall switch that may have not been turned on before you inspect the circuit breakers. Reset any that may have turned off.
• If a hanging light fixture does not work, you probably have a broken connection along a circuit. Check to see if wall switches, circuit breakers and the bulb has been installed properly.
• If you have a stuck window, use a putty or plastic knife to gently score the edges and prise the window open. Once open, apply a thin layer of paraffin wax around the edges.
• If you’re getting an odour around your home after a long break, the drain pipes may have dried up. Try pouring water down the drains.
• Indoor plants may release an odour if left unattended for long periods. Inspect your plants and prune any rotting parts if necessary.
• To fix a dripping tap, simply unscrew the bolt beneath the handle and replace the worn washer with a new one before screwing the bolt back on. Remember to turn off the main valve first.
• Exhaust fans that spin too slowly are likely to be caused by a buildup of dust and moisture. Clean the fans periodically to ensure optimal performance.
• Clean the railings of any sliding doors occasionally with a toothbrush and then vacuum to remove accumulated grime.
• Clean mildew spots with a three percent solution of hydrogen peroxide for a quick fix.
• If you need to increase the flow pressure of your taps, fit them with aerators – they save water too. Simply unscrew the spout, and screw the aerator onto the tap.

Here are some tips from our landscaping team to help you keep your landscaping lush and healthy:

• Maintain a mowing height of 2.5 to 3 inches but during summer, increase this to 3 or 3.5 inches to reduce water loss from your soil.
• Check your irrigation system for leaks periodically.
• Water your landscaping as per its requirements and not just every day.
• Apply water directly to the roots of plants to minimise evaporation and water runoff.
• Avoid mid-day watering – instead, water in the early hours before sunrise to lessen water loss through evaporation and daytime winds.
• Choose plants that are native to the arid climate of the Middle East and require less water such as desert rose, flame trees, bougainvillea, neem, palms and hibiscus.
• Make adjustments to watering durations as needed; for example, shaded or protected areas may need less water than patches that are always under the sun.
• For better efficiency, install a drip irrigation system to minimise evaporation.
• Water brown spots by hand and check your irrigation system; lawns usually develop brown spots because of faults in the sprinkler system.
• Planting seeds in the common areas (outside the boundary of your villa) is prohibited.
• Refer to the landscaping fact sheet for more information.