Avoid potential risks on your property by preparing your home for winter
Mild weather has led many to forget that winter is here! However, the winter freeze has finally hit New York and it is vital as a homeowner to be prepared for upcoming bad weather conditions. Homeowners have a responsibility to ensure their home and property are in the best possible condition in order to avoid accidents and injuries. Without taking proper precautions you are leaving yourself, your loved ones and others exposed to possible injuries. You also expose yourself to potential costly claims against you.
Take note of the following list of precautions to help avoid unnecessary accidents and claims:
- Immediately after a heavy snowfall, remove snow and ice from your walkways and driveway to maintain access to the property by emergency services. Salting and/or sanding should be done on walkways and parking areas.. At least one safe access route to the house must be available.
- Bring any outside loose items inside or tie them down.
- Familiarize yourself with the location where you turn off your gas and electricity to avoid potentially dangerous leaks and or explosions.
- Clear your gutters in order to prevent dangerous build up and ensure proper diversion of water.
- Get your boiler serviced before the bad weather sets in and consult with your boiler expert as to whether you should turn off your water and drain your pipes if you go away for any period of time.
- Get a certified arborist to walk around your property to look for rotting trees and damaged or dangling limbs that may come down in the next storm.
