Every winter, homeowners find themselves needing to prepare for the risk of a potential blizzard. These major snowstorms can not only knock out your power and heat, they can also pose a serious potential risk to your home if you are not prepared. Here are a few important tips for keeping your home safe in the event of a blizzard:
- Ensure your home is properly insulated
- Never underestimate the importance of ensuring your property is well-insulated, including ensuring your windows and doors are weather-sealed or caulked as appropriate. This can help you keep the heat in your home longer if the power goes out, and minimize the risk that your pipes will freeze. It also has the added benefit of minimizing your heating bills.
- Have your chimney cleaned
- If your home has a chimney, you should make sure to have it inspected and cleaned at least once a year. This is especially important if you intend to rely on starting a fire in your fireplace to keep you warm if you lose power during a blizzard. This is because a chimney can become clogged by soot and debris, trapping smoke in your home and increasing the risk of an accidental fire.
- Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are essential for keeping safe during the winter. They can not only help warn you in the event of an accidental fire, they can keep you safe if your boiler or heating system begins to leak carbon monoxide. This is especially important if you have a gas generator or kerosene heater, which can become potential hazards if they malfunction.
- Have the trees on your property pruned
- You should make sure to have any trees on your property pruned prior to any major snowstorm. This not only helps to keep your trees healthy, it also reduces the risk that branches will fall on your home during a blizzard. Without proper pruning, you may learn of weak or dead branches on your trees when they go through the roof of your home.
- Make sure your insurance policy is up to date
- Even if you take every precaution to protect your home from a blizzard, sometimes damage is inevitable. That is why you should make sure you have a copy of your homeowners insurance available, and ensure it is up to date. That way, if something does happen to your home, you will know you are covered for any damage you suffer.
Anytime your home or other dwelling has been ruined or severely damaged, it is essential that you protect your property and the interest of your investment by enlisting the services of a Rubin and Rosen public adjuster. We can provide the assistance you need by helping you to work through the entire insurance process. If you want to make a property insurance claim and need assistance to obtain fair compensation for your losses, please give us a call at 718-376-6800 or visit our contact page.