With the summer waning and fall just around the corner, now is the ideal time for homeowners to begin to prepare their homes for the colder months ahead.
It may seem strange to add checking your insurance policy coverage to the list with changing your furnace filter, but it’s important to make sure you are covered for almost anything that could go wrong during the winter. Besides, policies can change, so it makes sense to make sure your coverage is up-to-date when the seasons change. From confirming your insurance policy and checking your gutters to protecting your heating system and testing your smoke detectors, today’s post shares a few easy steps you can take to ensure the safety of your home and your family during the new season.
Check Your Insurance
Colder weather can bring with it a whole host of unforeseen risks for your home. It’s recommended that you perform an audit of your home to confirm that all possible disasters have been accounted for in your insurance policy. Having the best insurance Halifax has to offer should cover you for fires, power outages, snow damage and more. During the holidays especially, remember that candles, electrical cords and outlets, as well as fireplaces, have the potential to cause severe and even catastrophic damage to your house.
Roof Inspection
Don’t be afraid to get on your roof and check the chimney for cracks, mortar erosion, as well as general structural issues. Poorly functioning chimneys and/or fireplaces can precipitate potentially fatal carbon monoxide levels in your house. Be sure that your damper functions soundly with a tight seal, while the cap on your chimney fits snugly.
Gutters and Doors
If your gutters are clogged, there is a risk of water seeping into your home and causing damage to the structure. To reduce this risk, you should make time in the summer and throughout the autumn to clean out the gutters regularly, especially as leaves begin to fall. Furthermore, make sure your windows and doors aren’t lacking any weather stripping, and that door sweeps are aligned properly to prevent cold air from entering your living space.
Smoke Detectors
Safety agencies urge homeowners to evaluate all of their home’s fire alarms monthly to make sure they work correctly. Along these lines, be sure to check the batteries annually and replace the detectors every five to ten years. Most homeowners aren’t very vigilant in maintaining the quality of their smoke detectors. Too often, this can be a fatal mistake, as properly functioning smoke detection devices can make all of the difference when it comes to surviving a fire.
Checking the physical aspects of your home for the coming months is vital, but checking and having an up-to-date insurance policy is just as important. Taking this for granted could be a costly mistake.
When it comes to home insurance, Halifax residents trust Keyes Insurance to provide them with the coverage they need at a price they can afford. Call us for more information: (902) 453-2273.