Homeowner Pro Tips for Winter
Winter can bring its own set of challenges to any homeowner, from icy conditions to post holiday theft, to everyday fire hazards. We’ve got all the tips to keep your home safe this winter from any problem that can arise!
Preventing Frozen Pipes
A burst pipe is any homeowner's nightmare, but it can be easily prevented with a few steps. First, it’s important to keep your house warm. It sounds so simple, but keeping your temp at or above 65 degrees will prevent pipes from freezing and causing serious damage. While we may think that keeping our house above freezing temps (32 degrees) would be enough, the plumbing often sits at a lower temperature than the internal structure of your home.
And while it may be tempting to turn that heat down while leaving on vacation or for holidays, we strongly advise against it. Not only will you be raising your risk for burst pipes, you won’t be home to help stop any further damage.
Draining any outdoor hose bibs is also an essential step in preventing frozen pipes as well. Built up water can freeze and cause blockages.
Lastly, we recommend you get to know your plumbing. Learning how to shut off your water and where your pipes are located can save you from even more damage should a pipe freeze or burst.
Fire Hazards
House fires can come from a number of culprits, especially during the winter months. There’s a few steps you can take to prevent them, or at the very least be prepared should a fire start in your home.
The simplest tip we can offer you is to burn your candles safely. You should always burn candles within eyesight, and never leave them for longer than 3 or 4 hours at a time.
As temperatures drop, we might turn to alternative methods of heating our homes to save on energy or bills. Using space heaters or a fireplace can be a great way to focus heat in your home where it's needed most, but safety needs to be prioritized as well. Unplug your personal heaters when they are not in use, as these are a big culprit for home fires during the colder months.
While we can do our best to prevent any home fires, sometimes being prepared is all we can do. We recommend testing your fire alarm every month, keeping an up to date fire extinguisher in your kitchen, and always having a fire escape plan that all family members know. Planning ahead can save the life of you or a loved one should fires occur in your home.
Theft
Protecting yourself against theft can seem daunting, but will ultimately save yourself from future troubles and expenses. The number one thing you can do to prevent theft in your home is to lock your doors. It may seem simple, yet 30% of all home invasions occur with the intruder entering through an unlocked door*. Something as easy as locking your door could stop your home from being the next target of a burglary.
We also recommend having some sort of alarm system. And no, just putting a sign for an alarm in your window won’t do! While they may seem costly, alarm systems can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars in replacement costs, and give you an added peace of mind when away from your home or while you sleep.
Another great tip? Keep your garbage discreet. When getting large electronics or gifts, make sure the boxes are torn down and in the bin or a bag before heading to the curb. There’s nothing like a large box for a new TV sitting next to your garbage can to alert thieves that your house should be their next target.
Bottom line? Keeping up on the little things can go a long way when keeping your house safe from any danger. Not only is a safe home great for you and your family, it’s good for your homeowner’s policy. With the insurance landscape changing so rapidly, reducing your risk for claims on your home policy can only help.
What tips would you give a new homeowner for their first winter?