:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/LS3BJGU5YFB4HDZGWCEN7TLKA4.jpeg)
The holidays are upon us, and winter is right around the corner. With the cold weather comes slick roads, frozen pipes, and other dangers that we often forget about after months of warm weather and mild temperatures. Whether you plan to be on the road or in the home this holiday season, the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services encourages every Iowan to follow these tips to stay safe this winter.
Preparing the house:
- Prepare your house: The lead up to winter is a great time to take an assessment of your house and make any updates necessary to prepare for the cold months ahead. First, check the insulation of your home, particularly around windows and doors. If there is a draft, or if you are having a hard time keeping the cold air out, you may want to look into installing new insulation, caulking, or weather stripping. Clean your gutters to prevent ice dams and heavy snow build up. Additionally, if your house has a furnace, it is smart to change the filter and schedule a tune up before the weather gets too cold.
- Prepare your plumbing: Freezing temperatures mean your plumbing is at risk. The water freezing in your pipes can lead to burst pipes and unnecessary flooding. By keeping your house at a steady temperature, putting a “drip” on the faucets you don’t use often, and shutting down/disconnecting exterior hoses and water lines, you minimize your chances of this happening. In areas of the home that might be colder, such as the basement, garage, or attic, you may want to also insulate any exposed piping. Insurance policies often cover the resulting water damage from burst pipes, but only if the homeowner has taken reasonable steps to maintain the pipes and keep them from freezing.
- Prepare your kitchen: As the holiday season picks up and we spend more time in the kitchen, make sure you are implementing safe practices – more than half of all house fires start from mishaps in the kitchen. As general tips, you should never leave your grill, stove, or oven unattended, and you should keep all combustible items (like cleaning supplies) away from these heat sources. Additionally, make sure your smoke detectors are installed and regularly tested and that you are utilizing surge protectors to protect your outlets and circuits.
- Build an emergency kit: Build a kit with the necessary materials in case a storm impacts your access to electricity. Keep nonperishable food and water handy throughout the winter in case your home gets snowed in. Additionally, have candles, matches, a flashlight, spare batteries, a snow shovel, extra blankets, firewood, a fire extinguisher, and a generator in the kit in the event you lose power.
What to do if disaster strikes:
- Check your health, then check your assets: Frostbite and hypothermia are dangerous and can lead to serious health issues. By monitoring yourself and your loved ones for numbness, discolored skin, and shivering, you can remain alert and treat the symptoms before issues begin. Stay warm, focus on heating up your core and head, and then you can check your assets.
- Familiarize yourself with your insurance: It’s important to be up to date on your insurance policy and aware of your coverage and deductible options. Contact your state-registered insurance agent immediately following a disaster to discuss your options for filing an insurance claim. They will inspect and provide you with an estimate of the repairs that are covered by your policy.
- Beware of scammers: After a disaster, scammers work to take advantage of hard-working Iowans. Be sure any contractors you consult or hire are legitimate. Search them online, cross check their filing with the Iowa Insurance Division, and determine if they fall within your insurance network. By getting a written estimate from at least three different contractors, you can rest assured that you will get the best price for your needs. Know the warning signs of non-reputable businesses, be cautious about signing an assignment of benefits, and never pay in full upfront.
When the roads get icy, our friends at the Iowa Department of Transportation are here to help. Whether it’s winterizing your vehicle, packing a winter survival kit, driving in snowy and icy conditions, or staying up to date on weather developments, be prepared this winter with the following tips from the Iowa DOT.
Additional holiday tips and reminders:
- How to protect big holiday gifts with extra insurance coverage: Not all homeowners policies fully cover every loss. If you have a big-ticket item in your home, you may want to consider adding a rider or endorsement to your policy.
- Online shopping for gifts this holiday season? As you place your orders, make sure to be aware of package protection scams. Unlicensed entities are not legally allowed to sell insurance products and may claim warranties, guarantees, or protection plans.
- If you plan to travel home this holiday season, consider travel insurance: Travel plans can be expensive, and unexpected circumstances could cut a trip short or stick you with unforeseen costs – but there are ways to insure against these mishaps.