As the autumn season approaches and long sunny days wane into short chilly nights, it’s time to take several safety measures for your home. The changing weather poses common autumn risks, not just to people’s health but also to your home or property’s physical attributes.
It is crucial to be aware of the shifting season and its impact on the surroundings. Various safety hazards can put a home at risk for disaster.
To ensure that a home is protected, opting for the best VA home insurance and following these tips to minimize the risk for home safety hazards is a must.
Here are some essential tips to protect a home from autumn risks.
Cleaning and Replacing Gutters
Gutters are often overlooked every time there is a shift in season. Since preparing for the standard autumn risks usually includes yard clean-ups and readying the house for the cold winter ahead, cleaning the gutters by removing all debris and leaves is vital. Additionally, damaged portions must be fixed or replaced.
Trimming Nearby Trees
As plants begin to die in the cold weather, another necessary step to ensure protection against autumn risk is removing any dead branches or decaying limbs on the trees on the property. Overgrown branches of trees that are weighed down by ice and snow or blowing in the wind can become hazardous to your home.
Firing Up the Furnace
Turning the heater on before the temperatures plummet to ensure it works is also vital. Additionally, all flammable materials must be kept away from the furnace. These include clothing, paint products, toxic materials, and cardboard, to name a few. In case the furnace needs servicing, the smartest thing to do is call a technician immediately.
Improving the Insulation
When a home allows cold drafts in, the furnace is forced to work harder to heat the entire house, resulting in higher electricity bills. The best way to keep the cold air out is by improving the insulation within the whole home.
Clean And Fix The Driveway
Over time, small cracks may appear here and there on the driveway. Small cracks may seem harmless, but when water gets into these cracks, it freezes, expands, and can turn into an even more significant gap. If left unattended, it can eventually make the concrete crumble. Additionally, a driveway should be clear of falling leaves since wet leaves can create a hazard in the fall by making driveways slippery.
Inspect Safety Devices
During the fall and winter, there are more devices plugged in inside the home. In preparation for these coming seasons, it is critical to take a moment and check all of your safety devices. One of which is testing the smoke alarms inside the home and ensuring that the batteries are working correctly. Also, make sure that used and expired fire extinguishers are replaced.
Bring Any Outdoor Furniture In
In some cases, homes can have outdoor furniture for the summer and spring season. However, keeping these pieces of furniture outside during the fall and winter can easily damage it. To avoid any costly damage, it is best to store them inside a shed. Waterproof furniture covers can be a wise alternative in the absence of a garage or shed.
Fire Safety For Holiday Decorations
The approach of autumn also means the beginning of the holiday season. To spruce up homes, putting up holiday decorations are essential. Though, this may also pose some serious fire hazards if not done with careful consideration. To help minimize these risks, make sure to use fire-retardant holiday decorations. Make sure to check that a reliable organization has tested all holiday lights and extension cords. Moreover, avoid using candles as part of holiday decorations.
A home should be a place to feel safe and secure. It’s a personal place to unwind and relax from all of life’s stressors. To make sure this is the case at all times, it’s a must to be wary of the autumn risks, most especially during the shift in seasons.
It is always best to make the autumn season a happy and safe one by being prepared, keeping a high level of awareness, and having the right resources to contact if in doubt about what to do.
About Blue Sky Insurance Agency
For over 20 years, family owned Blue Sky Insurance Agency has proudly specialized in insurance and tax services for Virginia residents. Our philosophy is simple: “If you can dream it, we can insure it.” We strive to provide value to our clients by establishing and building relationships and focusing on more than just rates. We are dedicated to providing holistic and strategically tailored solutions to protect all of your assets, and to provide peace of mind wherever life takes you. To get in touch with us, fill out a complimentary quote form, or call us at one of our two locations:
North Chesterfield
Phone: (804) 745-4044
PO Box 35674
North Chesterfield, VA, 23235
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm
Richmond
Phone: (804) 404-2030
9932 Midlothian Turnpike
Richmond, VA, 23235
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm