Like most things in life, it’s better to be proactive than reactive when it comes to protecting your home.
1. Get a Home Security System:
Something as simple as a Doorbell camera can help deter potential criminals from targeting your house. Installing multiple security cameras around entry points to your home can at the very least install some cognitive dissonance in a potential burglar. Knowing what’s going on around your home throughout the day and night can help you sleep a little better, and protect your loved ones. I should also mention that most insurance carriers will offer a discount if you purchase a home security system with a burglar alarm. This is a classic win-win because you’re better at protecting your home and saving some money on your home insurance at the same time.
2. Get a Fire Extinguisher (and know how to use it):
Another thing that sounds obvious, but is often neglected, is purchasing a fire extinguisher. You don’t want some Pizza Rolls gone wild to burn your house down. Extinguishing small fires, especially electrical fires, quickly and safely can greatly reduce potential fire-related losses. It’s easy to overlook fire as a cause of loss, but It doesn’t take much for a fire to start. An old lamp given to you by your Aunt as a wedding gift, microwaving something that is not microwavable, not cleaning out the lint trap, and placing a candle too close to some curtains are all easy ways for a fire to start. Spend the $50 and get a fire extinguisher, so something minor doesn’t become devastating.
3. Prune Your Trees:
The classic example of storm damage is a tree limb snapping and coming through your roof. You might think this is only possible in cases of extremely high winds. You would be wrong. Tornadoes and Hurricanes are not the only threats to consider. A small ice storm, weighing the tree limb down, can be enough to cause it to snap. Even heavy rains can cause tree branches to break. Take a look outside your home and over your roof, and Identify trees or branches that could have contact with your home if they break. It is absolutely worth the money to hire a tree service to come remove trees/branches that pose a danger to your home. Just make sure that the Tree Service you hire is reputable and carries their own insurance, in case of an accident.
