As we head into the autumn season and winter beyond, there are lots of ways that you can help to prepare your home against potential damage from any inclement or even Arctic weather we may experience.
Household Missiles
In the latter months of the year, it’s surprising how easy it is for everyday items to become missiles. When high winds are forecast, you can often hear garden furniture and toys being blown about. Try putting everything safely away at the end of the summer in a shed or storage box to prevent these items damaging walls, windows and fences.
Also check that there are no loose tiles or slates on your roof that could fly off in high winds and cause damage to either your home or your family. Replacing any loose ones will also help prevent leaks in your roof.
Keep Your Home Warm
This is one of the most important things you can do to protect you home over the autumn and winter. Check the edges of doors and windows for any gusting draughts, and fit excluders where necessary. The Association of British Insurers recommends protecting yourself from frozen and burst pipes should a cold spell arrive.
If you find that your bills are still too high even after taking these steps, then consider changing your energy tariff or supplier.
Of course, if you live on a managed estate or apartment block, these are tasks which might be done for you; companies such as http://clients1st.ie/ provide this sort of property management in Dublin.
Be Prepared
This may sound like overkill, but thousands of UK residents have been forced to unexpectedly leave their homes in recent years due to flooding. Should the worst happen and you need to leave your property in a hurry, make sure you have a grab bag to hand which could include: a list of the relevant contacts you might need and your insurance documents, perhaps kept in a sealed plastic bag so that they won’t get destroyed if the weather is poor outside. You may also want to include a torch with new batteries and a wind-up radio to listen to news bulletins if the situation is very serious. You should also think about medication for anyone in the family who needs it and a change of clothes.