Home Safety Tips: How to Protect Your Home in the Winter

There are numerous winter home safety tips to protect your Michigan home.

However, below, we outlined the most important winter home safety tips to protect both the interior and exterior of your home. 

Is your home protected this winter season? Contact us today to get started. 

Protecting the Interior of Your Home

Every Michigander knows how unpredictable the weather is; it can be 80 degrees and sunny to below freezing and snowing all in one season.

In the winter months, you can expect extremely cold temperatures as well as tons of snow. We know how mounting levels of snow paired with extremely cold temperatures can be potentially damaging to a home.    

Winter Home Safety Tip #1: Frozen Pipes

You need to keep on the lookout for frozen pipes, which can subsequently burst. According to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, burst pipes can cause thousands of dollars in water damage; sometimes $5,000 or more. 

To prevent frozen pipes, we recommend setting the heat in your home to no lower than 55 ℉. 

Is your home protected this winter season? Contact us today to get started. 

Winter Home Safety Tip #2: Thermostat

Additionally, you should keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during the day and night; no matter how tempting it may be to save on your heating bill. 

If your home has a cold draft coming through, make sure to seal up cracks that let the cold air in! Not only will your pipes thank you, but your wallet will, too. 

Is your home protected this winter season? Contact us today to get started. 

Protecting the Exterior of Your Home

Winter Home Safety Tip #3: Gutters

Keeping the outside of your home free of winter damage is just as important as taking care of the inside of your home. One of the main causes of outdoor home damage during cold months is damaged gutters. 

When you let debris such as leaves and twigs sit in your gutters, it traps rain and snow. Eventually, it freezes over. This excess weight on the gutters makes them heavy and eventually leads to them falling away from your house, causing damage to siding, outside walls, and roofs. 

Therefore, taking the time to regularly clean your gutters is a great way to prevent damage to your home.

Winter Home Safety Tip #4: Outdoor Water Spigots

Outdoor water spigot damage is another costly factor to consider.  If you forget to turn the spigot off before winter, your pipes may very well freeze. 

Not only will your spigots and pipes freeze, but the water that leaks from spigots and pipes can cause other damage to your home, such as water and mold damage.

Is your home protected this winter season? Contact us today to get started. 

Winter Home Safety Tip #5: Chimney Fires

Did you know that more than 25,000 chimney fires happen every year in the United States? 

If you have an older home or cottage in Michigan with a wood burning fireplace and chimney, we recommend scheduling an inspection and chimney sweep with an experienced fireplace company before using your fireplace.

This helps prevent ventilation issues and possible flue damage avoiding expenses from those systems needing to be professionally repaired. 

Not having a regular chimney sweep each year leads to built-up creosote, which can catch fire. Creosote is a mixture of chemicals formed during a fire; it can also be formed when you burn wet wood.

This tar-like substance sticks to your chimney and must be cleaned before using your fireplace the following year. With Michigan January fire deaths up 144% from 2021, it's never been more important to inspect your chimney.

Is your home protected this winter season? Contact us today to get started.

Winter Home Safety Tip #6: Sidewalks and Driveways

Homeowners and renters in Michigan are responsible for their sidewalk and driveway at all times. If someone falls on your sidewalk or driveway, they’re eligible to file a claim against your homeowners’ insurance, especially if they’re not cleared from ice or snow. 

In order to prevent an accident like this from happening, it’s important to shovel snow off of your sidewalk and driveway, as well as salt the surfaces to prevent ice formation. 

Is your home protected this winter season? Contact us today to get started. 

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