Protect your home against emergencies

Protect your home against emergencies

Even if you are insured, if your home suffers extensive damage from some sort of emergency, it is going to be expensive. Not only that, there is the emotional and physical costs of being displaced or of losing your belongings and your home.

Here are some tips on how you can help to prevent home emergencies before they even start.

Fire protection

As a first step, make sure that you’ve got a working smoke alarm on each level of your home. Don’t paint over detectors and make sure that they have fresh batteries every six months or so.

Don’t overload outlets with too many plugs; if you are doing renovations, never DIY electrical jobs, because the risk of fire will increase a lot if you take that job on without being properly trained.

If you use space heaters, make sure that there is enough clearance between drapes or other long-hanging items.  Love to spend time by candlelight? Those flames can be hazardous. LED candles look similar and are much safer.

Never leave the kitchen when cooking (on the stove or in the microwave). Always remove dishtowels or other items that are flammable from the stovetop area when in use.

Flood prevention

Keep your home from flooding by inspecting your foundation for cracks on a regular basis. Also look inside your home at all of your plumbing for signs of leaks, like dripping faucets, pooling water and mould growth.

Clean your gutters and downspouts often so water can flow well.

Keep pipes from freezing, because a pipe will often burst, which can cause substantial damage. Keep the heat on, even if you are away. Open the cabinets under sinks to let air flow.  Add extra insulation where needed and wrap pipes in heat tape, just to be sure.