The winter season is arguably the most hazardous months of the entire year. Even with further precautions that are set in place, winter storms happen. For homeowners, the list of concerns and winter problems only grows. We wanted to cover some rules for staying safe during the winter months.
One of the most common lessons is that we need to be more careful when driving during winter storms. Some precautions a driver should take include:
- Putting on winter tires.
- Driving 5 to 10 miles below the speed limit.
- Letting your car warm up for a few minutes.
- Staying up to date with inspections, oil changes, and similar maintenance.
On the property side of things, there are a few actions you can take before and after snow. If the forecast is calling for a few inches, a great thing to do is put down rock salt in certain areas. These areas include outside stairs, walkways up to the front door, and your sidewalk. Also depending on how much snow falls, it may be a good idea to not only shovel after it’s done. Once another few inches builds up, repeat the process. If you have a snow blower or other tools, waiting and clearing out the entirety of it may be more optimal.
Some other tips include winterizing your piping systems, hoses, and protecting appliances such as an outside AC unit, pressure washers, or others. Ignoring these may cost you upwards of hundreds of dollars for repair costs. Also be on the lookout for downed power lines, falling trees, or other environmental hazards that could result from heavy snowfall.
For any snows that come our way, we hope you take the right steps beforehand so you can relax inside where it’s warm. If you have any questions about what your homeowner’s insurance policy may cover with winter storms, contact us! Stay warm and stay safe.
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