There’s no question that homeowner’s insurance is a great thing to have in the event of damage to your home or the possessions inside of it. No one ever complained about having their home insured after a natural disaster. But there are also plenty of things you can do to minimize the danger of something happening to your most valuable investment. This blog series will list some of the top tips.
Install & Maintain Smoke Detectors
For home safety, it’s hard to beat the value in smoke detectors. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, deaths due to fire are 51% fewer in homes with working smoke alarms, compared to those without. A quick internet search shows prices for smoke detectors from as little as $8.00 up to $25.00, a real bargain for the peace of mind they provide. A couple of things to remember: first, be sure to install one on each level of your home; second, change your batteries every 6 months (a good reminder is to change them when the time changes in the spring and fall). Oh, and KEEP THE BATTERIES IN THEM! Far too many people disable their smoke detectors by removing the batteries.
Keep an Eye on Your Trees
For those who don’t mind the leaf raking duties, an arboreal home is a comfort and delight. Still, mature trees close to the home bring their own set of issues to home ownership. Dead or rotting trees are a frequent source of damage, either falling in whole or dropping limbs on roofs. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a dead tree or rotten limb will hold on forever – one good-sized storm or even just a stronger than average gust of wind could be the source of a major headache. If you have problem trees, contact a qualified, professional tree service company to trim branches or remove trees entirely. It’s better to take them down at your convenience than theirs.
As always, if you have questions about homeowner’s insurance rates or coverage, contact us today.