Holiday Safety Tips to Avoid a Homeowners Insurance Claim in the New Year

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Storm damage, burglaries and cooking fires are three big hazards to homeowners and the reasons for the vast majority of homeowner’s insurance claims.   Over the holidays, there are special circumstances that make these events all the more likely.  Here are some tips to avoid an unhappy new year as a homeowner:

Avoid Winter Weather Damage

In the last decade, winter storms have caused approximately $26 billion in losses.  It pays to be aware that cold, ice and snow can do a lot of damage to your home and are a leading cause of homeowner insurance claims.  To avoid tree damage due to snow and ice, look for low lying branches or old branches on trees that look unstable.  These branches may be brought down by heavy snow onto your roof, into your windows or onto your car.   Remove or trim branches yourself or have a tree service come out and do an assessment and remove branches for you.  Also, when you are up on the ladder installing holiday lights, clean out gutters and look at your roof to make sure it’s in good shape for the winter.  To avoid frozen pipes and water damage if pipes burst, install insulation onto pipes and, during frigid weather, let faucets drip to prevent freezing.

Avoid Cooking Fires

According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2010 there were 1.3 million house fires in the United States, resulting in over $11 million in direct property loss.   The leading cause of home fires in the United States is from cooking fires.  During the holidays, people cook large family meals and spend more time in the kitchen.  To avoid a cooking fire, play it safe in the kitchen.  Keep flammable materials, such as towels, curtains, oven mitts and food packaging away from heat sources.  Always keep an eye on the stove and use a timer.  The most dangerous piece of cooking equipment is a turkey fryer so use these with particular caution and closely follow directions.   

 

Avoid a Break-in

House burglaries have been on the rise in recent years.  Burglars know you are buying presents this time of year and these items will be new, possibly expensive and easy to steal in original packaging or wrapped as gifts.  To avoid being burglarized this holiday season and having to file a homeowners insurance claim for theft or damage to your home where a burglar gains access, keep wrapped presents away from windows, don’t leave gifts in your car unattended and don’t leave boxes outside for garbage pickup for expensive electronics or other items.  When getting rid of a box for an expensive item, take the box to a dumpster or break the box down and put it in a trash bag. 

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