Addressing Autumn Threats for Homeowners

The Fall season is upon us, and the changes it brings signal a reminder to prepare your home against potential threats in and around it. As your local NJ Coastal Home Insurance specialists, we want to help you make your home safe, comfortable, and trouble-free as we transition to colder weather and the threats associated with it.

Checking off each of the following fall safety tips is a helpful way to help you and your family enjoy the crisp autumn weather without experiencing the dangers that seasonal changes present.

Annual Autumn Safety and Home Maintenance Tips

Start outdoors and work your way inside as the window on sunlight and pleasant weather conditions closes in faster than we realize.

Tree Maintenance

Tree maintenance is not optional, mainly if your trees are near power lines. Identifying potential problems is your responsibility as a homeowner, including trees in utility company easements. If any of your trees pose a danger in high winds, it is time to cut them back. If you ignore your responsibility to maintain your trees wisely, it may be a reason for your insurance company to deny a claim.

Power lines are at risk from trees. Should you have a power line next to your home, your electrical service utility maintains the easement. If you see a potential problem with the easement, notify your service to get the problem fixed. Most likely, you are responsible for anything outside of the easement. Hiring an insured and bonded company is essential if you need to take a tree on your property down. Checking their online reviews is also prudent.

Once leaves have fallen, it is a must to remove them from your property. It’s much more critical to keep your driveway and sidewalks clear than cleaning the lawn. Wet, fallen leaves are a slippery danger to visitors and, as such, a significant liability to you.

Pool, Spa, and Patio Furniture

Flooding can wreak havoc on multiple parts of your property, including your swimming pool or in-ground spa. A pool cover will not prevent flooding, as in flooding situations, your pool cover becomes an unwieldy, unsecured object.

Follow the advice from the National Weather Service. It recommends lowering your pool’s water level by one foot, which may require a pump drain device. If you don’t have one, schedule your pool service to handle it for you and do it now while they are available. 

Get all your moveable patio furniture and accessories in a shed, garage, or inside your home. Besides losing them, they become dangerous flying objects in high winds.

It’s a good idea to reexamine leaf burning. According to the EPA, burning leaves can cause cancer, and usually is best not to do this. If you must burn leaves, wear an appropriate mask to protect yourself. Before burning leaves, make sure the mild weather forecast is accurate and that current conditions are not windy. When burning leaves on your property, start your fire far away from your home and other structures.

Gutters, Downspouts, Drainage

You’ll need to clear debris from your rain gutters and make sure your downspout is clear. Take extra precautions when using a ladder outdoors. Have someone help you to steady the ladder and assist you if trouble arises. 

It’s essential to wear appropriate footwear when using a ladder since wet shoes can cause you to slip. It’s crucial to position your ladder on a flat surface. Before you begin, make sure you have the right tools in good working condition and made for your intended use.

Check how water flows from your house and that it is running away from your foundation. Make sure there are no obstructions that would dam up water and force it back to your home. You may need to install a French drain system, rain barrels, or downspout extensions if necessary.

Check on water pipes to make sure they have no direct exposure to freezing temperatures. Redoing or adding insulation to your exposed water pipes is the best way to keep them from freezing.

Fire Prevention

A few simple steps can reduce the risk of home fires.

• It’s a wise idea to make a habit of changing the batteries and inspecting smoke and carbon monoxide detectors each time Daylight Saving Time changes.
• Inspect your fire extinguishers are working and fully charged.
• Clean the lint trap, exhaust vent, and the space under and behind the washer and dryer.
• Have your heating system cleaned and inspected by a professional and schedule a monthly reminder to replace your furnace filter.
• If you have fireplaces, hiring a professional to clean and inspect them and your chimneys annually.
• Many house fires start in the garage, which means you should clean out anything you don’t need. Oily rags are combustible, and leaving them in a pile creates an avoidable,  dangerous situation. Store your unused gasoline safely and in a suitable container and properly secure paint, caulk, firewood, and other volatile compounds.

Take an Inspection Tour of Your Property

Walk your property and fence lines to find posts, rails, or pickets that need attention. Fix or replace loose, broken, or weakened spots now to keep them from becoming dangerous, loose, flying objects in a severe winter windstorm.

Check your driveway and pavement for settling or ruts on unpaved roads. Deep ruts are risks for drivers and pedestrians. Attend to any issues as you find them. Waiting until they get worse makes repairs more expensive and intensifies your potential liabilities.

By giving your home the care and prevention it needs, you diminish potential damages and reduce your odds for claims against your NJ Coastal Home Insurance coverage.

At the Dickstein Agency, we use our 55 years of experience to secure homeowner insurance coverage for our coastal resident clients. They get access to top markets for the Property and Liability insurance they need. We understand your necessities and how to address them best.

About Dickstein Associates Agency

Dickstein Associates Agency has distinguished itself as a leading provider of personal and business insurance in the tri-state area since 1965. We pride ourselves on being advocates for our clients and providing them with quality and affordable coverages. As Trusted Choice™ independent insurance agency, we partner with various national and regional carriers, allowing for flexible coverage for each client’s unique circumstances. For more information on how you can leverage all your insurance to work best for you, and how we can secure the best insurance in the marketplace suited to your specific needs and business objectives, contact us today at (800) 862-6662 or www.dicksteininsurance.com.