If you are still looking for any new resolutions, think about insurance. What could be best resolutions you can take regarding safety. Here are five tips.
- Know your shut-off valves. If you already know where the emergency shut-off valves are located for gas, water and electricity, it is great. Otherwise, spend some time to figure out the locations. Also ensure that everyone in your house knows where to find them just in case.
- Check your washer and dryer. Ensure that rubber hoses in your washing machine are not in good shape. If your rubber hoses are more than just a few years old, swap them out for steel-belted hoses. And over time, lint can build up in your dryer vent and spark a fire. Luckily, a quick trip to the hardware store can reduce your risk of these common causes of fire and water damage.
- Plan ahead and find a friend. If you can’t afford a monitored security system, the next best thing is to give the appearance that someone’s home while you are away. Install lamp timers, keep a radio turned on and tuned to a talk station, and when you’re on vacation, have a friend shovel your walkway or park their car in your driveway. Above all, keep lower-level windows and garage doors closed and all entrances locked.
- Smoke detection protection. Ensure that you have installed state-of-the-art smoke detection tool in your home. Smoke detectors last about 10 years. Each time you get a new one, use a permanent marker to write the month and year on the back.
- Preparing for severe weather. Whether your part of the country is prone to flooding, hurricanes or other natural disasters, look around your home and consider any upgrades or simple maintenance to help minimise damage from wind and water. In tornado-prone areas, a safe room is always a smart addition to protect you and your family from the storm.
