Winter always seems to surprise us each year, usually with some heavy rain or snow right before spring. This can also be a peak season for home insurance claims. If you haven’t already been working on winterizing your home and preparing it for winter, here are some tips to help keep your home safe until the warmer & dryer months arrive.
Ensure You Have Winter Supplies Early
Do you have a snow shovel? How about some snow/ice salt? Ensuring you have some of these essential winter tools and items in advance will save you the stress and hassle of getting them after the fact- when the streets are already snowy or icy. The stores, too, get busier after storms and can sometimes run out of critical items. Ensure you have the winter supplies you need early.
Bring Specific Outdoor Items Inside
Our next tip is to bring specific outdoor items inside for the winter. Some outdoor items like outdoor patio furniture may hold up OK, but it is still best to get as many items inside the house or garage as possible to keep them as safe as possible. This specifically applies to valuable items.
Clear Your Roof, Gutters & Perimeter Drains
With more rain, snow and ice come with the winter season, and with all of that comes more water and moisture. Water leaks or damage to any home can be a vast and costly hazard. We want to ensure that all water flows freely away from our house, starting from the roof and into the gutters and the perimeter drains. Ensure all is free and clear of debris, leaves, sticks, and anything else that may prevent water from flowing freely away from your home.
Clean The Street Surrounding Your Property
We want water to flow freely around and away from our property. This is to keep water moving away from your home and the area safe for pedestrians. As a homeowner (and even as a tenant), you may be liable for slips, trips, and falls on your owned or rented property. This may mean applying some ice salt and shoveling snow and other debris out of the way to clear a path for both water and people.
Inspect All Trees On or Around the Property
Another thing to keep in mind is the trees on your property and those near your home. Especially the more giant trees that could cause a lot of damage if they were to fall over. Winter storms can bring strong winds; if a tree is old and decaying, it can be vulnerable to falling over and damaging houses. Keep an eye out for these trees and inspect them yearly for any signs of decay. You may want to bring in a specialist if there are any signs of concern.
Contact Harbord For More Info & Quick Quotes!
For more tips on keeping your home safe during winter and safe from the potential insurance claims that come with the risks of winter, please feel free to contact us at Harbord today. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have. We can also provide you with quick & free insurance quotes to compare and possibly save money!
