Skate through winter with these helpful winter homeowner safety tips.
Ice isn’t nice.
One of the most cost-effective ways to weather the winter and prevent ice dams is investing in a roof rake. According to the Insurance Information Institute, investing in a roof rake could save thousands of dollars when you consider the cost to replace a home’s roof.
Manage the melt.
Rain can make snow melt faster. Here’s tips to manage the melt:
- Remove snow piled up against your home to avoid water leaking into your basement.
- Seal any cracks in your foundation.
- Pay attention to flood alerts.
Fight the freeze.
Frozen pipes are a top risk of property damage when the temperature drops, especially for homes that are 20+ years old. January is peak pipe freezing month, but it is important to fight the freeze all winter long.
To drive or not to drive.
The safest place to be in a storm is off the road. If you do not need to travel, stay home.
Avoid slip, trip, and falls.
When the temperature drops, slips, trips, and falls rise. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one million Americans are injured each year due to slip and falls. Keep your loved ones, friends, and neighbors safe this winter by promptly removing snow and minimizing icy surfaces on your driveway and walk ways.
Be friends with your furnace and fireplace.
Leaving for winter vacation? Remember to set the thermostat to 50 degrees F to conserve energy and reduce stress on your furnace when heating the house on your return.
Do you own a fireplace? 5pm to 8pm is the most common time for winter fires, and more home fires occur in the winter than any other time of the year.
Stay warm and safe.
Looking for alternative home heating solutions like space heaters and pellet stoves to help fight the freeze? Remember to always treat fireplace coals and asked as hot even when you think they are cool. According to Portland Oregon Fire Rescue, coals and ashes can still be hot enough to start a fire even days after a fire has gone out.
Always document damage and costs.
Remember to take photos of damage and save receipts from any immediate repairs you undertake to prevent further damage.
We hope these tips were helpful in preparing your home for colder, snowy days ahead. Winterizing your home both inside and out is critically important, just like making sure you have the right coverage for your home insurance. Arlington Agency is your trusted Hanover agent located in Livonia, MI. You can reach us at (734) 462-9650 or online at https://arlingtonagency.com/.