Keep yourself safe with some common sense precautions and make sure you’re properly insured.
Cooking and heating are the leading causes of home fires and fire injuries, and winter months are the peak time for fire-related deaths. To play it safe, stay in the kitchen while cooking and make sure you never leave space heaters or fireplaces unattended.
Frayed wires can also cause fires. Replace all worn, old, or damaged appliance cords immediately and do not run cords under rugs or furniture.
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly and change batteries once a year. Be sure a smoke alarm is installed on every floor of your home and in each bedroom, and that a carbon monoxide detector is near all bedrooms.
Have a fire safety plan and adjust it to help children and older adults escape a potential fire, as they are more likely to sleep through or not react to the sound of a fire alarm.
Schedule a professional inspection each year of all fuel-burning home heating systems including furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, wood stoves, water heaters, chimneys, flues, and vents.
To avoid financial hardship if you do have a major fire, be sure you have enough insurance coverage to rebuild the home and replace personal possessions. A 2022 American Property Casualty Insurance Association survey found that a majority of insured homeowners have not taken steps to ensure their insurance coverage is keeping pace with rising inflation and increased building costs, which could leave you underinsured if catastrophe strikes.
If you’re unsure about your coverage, give us a call at 1-800-279-4030 or set up a personal phone consultation. We can help you evaluate your policy to make sure you have the right coverage for your situation.
Sources: National Safety Council, Ready.gov