Winter Protection Tips

In the winter we often hear many tips about winter driving and staying safe on snow-covered and icy roads.  Below is an article from Canadian Top Insurance Broker with 8 tips for keeping your property safe during the winter.  You can read the article below, or click here to visit the CTIP website.

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As parts of the country recover from flooding, others are braced for January snowstorms. How can home and business owners prevent wind or snow damage to their properties? By thinking beyond snow removal, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III) and Zurich North America–both organizations have prepared winter weather guides aimed at protecting buildings inside and out.

An outdoor advisory

1) Keeping gutters clear can keep “ice damming” at bay, allowing snow and ice to properly drain as it melts and prevent seepage, according to Zurich risk management experts.

2) When shoveling or clearing snow, make sure it doesn’t pile up against drainage spouts, outlets or doorways.

3) Use qualified roofing contractors to clear snow from roofs, and have roof drains inspected.

4) Also check for any loose equipment–ie. satellite dishes–on the roof, as well as any debris that might fly around in high winds. “In addition to snow and ice accumulations, winter storms can lead to high winds and widespread power outages,” Dale Seemans, Zurich’s HelpPoint advocate for roof risk management, said in a January 6 statement.

5) Trim dead branches from nearby trees–these may come off in high winds and damage property or even people, according to the III. The institute also recommends making sure that steps and stair railings are properly maintained to prevent slips and falls.

Indoor expertise

6) Make sure there’s enough insulation in attics, basements and crawl spaces–keeping hot air from escaping on upper levels like attics will prevent melting and refreezing. On lower levels, like basements, it will keep pipes from freezing.

7) Check for any pipe damage and make sure they are wrapped with heating tape. Emergency pressure release valves can also help protect against pressure from freezing pipes. Knowing how to shut off the water can help prevent pipes from bursting, the III advises.

8 ) Make sure furnaces, fireplaces or wood-burning stoves are properly maintained

http://www.citopbroker.com/news/8-storm-protection-tips-for-clients-1924

Tags: claims, coverage, damage, environment, risk, safety, weather, winter