Spring Home Safety Tips: De-Risk the Most Dangerous Parts of Your Home

Many people use spring as an annual reset – a time to clear out the clutter in their home. While you’re combing through your closet or basement, take the time to clear your home of risks, too. From weather-related disasters to an influx of guests, warm weather presents its own challenges, and you’ll want to make sure your home can withstand them.

Here, let’s look at a few spring home safety tips to guard against common spring hazards that cause insurance claims.

Check Your Pipes and Roofing to Mitigate the Risk of Water Damage

Ever heard the phrase “April showers bring May flowers”? In most of the United States, spring means rain – and rain could cause water damage.

This spring hazard can destroy parts of your home in a few different ways. For example, rainwater could seep into your home through a storm-damaged roof, window, or entryway. The resulting damage is surprisingly common. In part, it’s why water damage is the second most common cause of homeowners insurance claims, averaging about $11,100 per payout.

When spring rains are particularly heavy, they can also cause flooding. Something to note: your homeowners insurance won’t cover flood-related water damage, and this damage is expensive to repair.

Thankfully, a flood insurance policy can help you cover the costs.

What’s the best way to reduce the risk of water damage around your home? Start with these preventive measures:

• Clean your gutters.
• Repair or replace pipes that have leaky joints.
• Check your windows to make sure there are no entry points for water.
• Make sure your ground-level and / or basement entry points seal properly.
• Hire a professional roof inspector to check for loose shingles.

With consistent maintenance, you can lower the chances of water entering your home. One final precaution: make sure your important documents are in a disaster-proof safe in case of emergency. If the worst happens, you can rest easy knowing that your essentials are protected.

Tend to Your Home’s Exterior to Guard Against Wind Damage

Alongside heavy rains, springtime means tornado season – and high winds can cause serious damage to your home.

Nationwide, tornadoes are inflicting costlier damage than ever. In 2019, a four-day stretch of spring tornadoes led to $3.86 billion in damage.

Unfortunately, these highly destructive spring hazards are becoming more common. As climate change worsens, so will tornado severity – and associated costs. What’s more, the scope of affected areas is set to widen, putting new communities at risk.

The good news is that your homeowners insurance policy should have wind coverage to help mitigate the cost of tornado damage. But with tornado risk changing, don’t wait for a disaster to strike. Instead, take the time this spring to windproof your property.

Not sure how to do that? These precautions can help:

• Check for and secure loose shutters and gutters.
• Tighten loose hinges on doors and windows.
• Prune tree branches near your windows.
• Consider cutting down dead trees.

If a spring tornado touches down nearby, the right preventive measures can reduce the amount of debris that flies off or toward your home. With less potential damage to your property, you can more easily pick up where you left off after a severe storm.

Do Some Around-The-House Maintenance to Avoid Liability Claims

You might want to take advantage of the warm spring weather to host dinner parties or backyard hangouts. But inviting guests comes with risks. A friend or neighbor could get injured on your property, and they may seek compensation.

Depending on the accident’s location and your degree of personal negligence, your homeowners liability coverage may cover associated medical or legal fees. But the best way to avoid hefty liability claims is to remove hazards throughout your home.

This spring, perform these maintenance steps around your house:

• Make sure hallways and staircases are well lit.
• Confirm that your staircases are level.
• Repair cracks in your sidewalk or driveway.
• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Check your houseplants before inviting guests – these can be poisonous to kids and pets. If they are, make sure they’re not easy to grab or nibble.

When you limit the number of hazards on your property, you can entertain guests worry-free.

Don’t Wait for an Emergency to Get the Right Insurance

The right spring home safety tips can help you de-risk your home this year. But if the worst happens, you need an insurance policy that can help you cover the costs.

WE can help you assess your homeowners insurance policy to determine whether it’s right for you. From flood insurance to auto insurance, we have the carrier options you need to mitigate your risk on all fronts. Interested in learning more? Talk to a WE agent today.