To support through this high risk season, we’ve taken a typical 24-hour period in your home and considered what can be done to prevent accidents or damage, ultimately aiming to reduce potential risks. Here are some suggestions to help you prepare for the winter season based on our experience of frequent claims submitted.
Outdoors
- Lighting – exterior lighting around your property, particularly down the side of the house or driveway, is a simple but beneficial solution. Something as mundane as putting out the bins or walking to the car can be a slip and trip hazard from ice, for example. Consider putting salt down on the walkways before the temperature turns to freezing.
- Outbuildings – check there are no holes in walls, roofs, windows, or doors that let leaks through, and ensure doors are locked securely as valuable equipment is often kept inside.
- Garden furniture and BBQ equipment – tie them down or store them away for the winter as strong storms could cause them to move and cause damage.
- Foliage – leaves, branches, and garden debris can block drains and create flooding opportunities, or slip and trip hazards. Sweep when necessary to stop foliage from building up.
- Roof – assess your roof with caution for any damaged, cracked, or missing tiles as these could cause leaks in the attic and upper floors.
- Gutters – these fill up with items throughout the year and if not cleared occasionally, can result in leaks or dampness within the property.
Indoors
- Lagging – lagging the pipes is an economical option which will help to prevent issues in the future, particularly for hot water.
- Boilers – check the pressure and ensure an annual service is completed by your appropriate provider to ensure it is in full working order.
- Chimneys – debris that gathers in your chimney is a fire hazard, so make sure to have it cleaned regularly.
- Condensation – heat from kitchen appliances and drying clothes indoors can cause colder parts of the house to develop condensation issues, which can lead to dampness and mould. To avoid this, ensure that windows are opened occasionally to let air through or invest in a dehumidifier.
- Insulation – check doors and windows to see if there are any draughts, as water can get in this way, particularly in the attic but in other rooms too.
- Heating – keeping the house (at least) at a minimum temperature will assist in preventing the pipes from freezing and fracturing.
Looking for further advice regarding your property risks? Our team of Claims specialists are on hand to support you.
