TRANSCRIPT:
As we come to the end of the 2023 Hurricane Season, many people tend to think it’s time to relax and enjoy the so-called “slow season” of catastrophe possibility. But there’s never really a time of the year to let down your guard.
Here are three very common problems that can cause catastrophic damage during the winter months:
- Burst pipes – With sub-freezing weather comes the possibility of seeing water pipes burst. Whenever temperatures take a plunge, any exposed water lines without proper insulation are in danger of bursting due to the pressure they experience as the water inside them freezes and expands. Once the temperature rises and the ice thaws, the damaged pipes begin releasing water, and interior damage costs can quickly escalate into the tens of thousands of dollars.
- House Fires – From the elevated use of candles to overloaded electrical outlets due to an overzealous holiday decorator to improper use of space heaters, the number of house fires during the winter months sees a very disturbing surge. In fact, on average there are almost 7,500 house fires every year caused solely by home candles, with the peak reports in December and January.
- Snow & Ice – From ice dams on the eaves of the house to roofs collapsing due to the extreme weight of snow to iced and snow-overloaded trees that fall onto homes, that beautiful white winter wonderland rapidly becomes an apocalyptic nightmare with the damage it can wreak on a home.
The key to avoiding most of these problems is regular maintenance and a watchful eye. Make sure all exposed water pipes are well insulated. Maintain regular inspections of these pipes to be certain the pipe insulation has not been compromised.
Use all candles with caution and never leave them unattended.
Just because you can buy a 12-socket adaptor for a single electrical outlet doesn't mean you should actually plug something in to all twelve sockets.
Get familiar with safety operating procedures for all space heaters and RELIGIOUSLY follow the instructions for use.
If you live in an area prone to heavy snowfall, be certain you have a roof rake to remove excessive snow build-up, and, if you have trees too close to the house, you may want to consider having them removed before Jack Frost can bring it down right in the middle of supper one night.
Remember, catastrophes aren’t seasonal, and they never take a vacation. Your home is one of your biggest investments and YOU are the very best defense it will ever have when it comes to true home protection.