Protect Your Home With These Fall Safety Tips

Hurricane Safety Tips

Did you know that September is the most active month for hurricanes in the Atlantic? Even though hurricane season starts in June, the worst hurricanes usually form during September and the fall months. There are always steps you can take to make sure you are prepared in case of emergency! Start by making a plan: consider evacuation routes, figure out which room in the house is the safest during severe weather, and have a backup food supply ready. It’s also a good idea to have extra water on hand during hurricane season. Once you form a solid plan for hurricane preparation, it’s time to gather supplies that may help you such as flashlights, medical materials, important documents and safety and personal items. Depending on where you live, you may also want to store extra gasoline for your vehicle or generator. To learn more about measures you can take to prepare your home and family for hurricane season, visit the CDC’s website.

Gutter Safety Tips

Gutters can help protect your home by decreasing the likeliness of property damage. “Your home’s gutters protect the foundation of your home, prevent erosion, protect your landscaping, and prevent basement flooding. They will prevent staining to the exterior of your home, mitigate paint damage, and stop mold and mildew growth,” according to Leaffilter.com.  Of course, fall is famous for beautiful falling leaves, but this can also mean that your gutters become full of debris. If you decide to clean your gutters on your own, be sure to use a sturdy ladder when doing so. Consider using a four-legged step ladder, making sure to check that the ladder is locked in place and that no pieces or screws are missing. Proper ladder usage can help prevent serious injuries. Be sure to protect your hands and eyes while cleaning the gutters, as some may carry debris and bacteria that you’ll want to stay away from. Don’t forget to watch out for powerlines and be careful while you clean. These tips can help you to stay safe while cleaning your gutters.

Flood Safety Tips

Regardless of where you live, we want to help make sure you and your home are prepared when it comes to flooding. Following these tips can help you to stay curled up with a book during those rainy days, instead of feeling worried or anxious. Make sure to check your storm drains to ensure they’re clean and able to dispose of extra water that may come your way. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, sandbags are a relatively inexpensive item that can be valuable should your area experience flooding. Check on your gutters and downspouts to address and avoid clogging issues. And don’t forget to check on your roof and windows. Severe winds during a storm can damage your roof, making it necessary to perform regular maintenance on these areas to help keep your home protected.

Fireplace Safety Tips

One of the best parts about fall is sipping on a warm beverage by the fire. Looking to warm up your home as the colder air settles in this fall? No problem. Keep these fireplace safety tips in mind as you enjoy your cozy days in. First, try to have a window open while the fire is running to make sure there is good ventilation and air flow. This will help prevent any smoke from building up in the room if your chimney isn’t clean. It’s also a good idea to use dry and properly aged wood so that your fire burns more evenly. Have your chimney checked annually by a professional and be sure to clean out ashes from previous fires. Essential fireplace safety includes never leaving a fire unattended and making sure that you have a working fire extinguisher in your home in case of emergency.