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Insurance industry offers loss prevention tips to avoid winter woes

Ohioans can take measures to prevent property damage from the thaw expected to follow the snow and ice storm that swept through many parts of the state last weekend. The Ohio Insurance Institute (OII) offers the following safety and prevention tips to curtail losses:

Outside the home
Trees and limbs: If trees on your property begin to lean or start to uproot, try anchoring them. Check tree limbs. If branches are weighted down with ice and show signs of cracking or are dead, remove them before they cause damage to your home, cars or bystanders. Also, check trees that have the potential of damaging the property of neighbors.

Gutters: Check gutters and downspouts to be sure they are free of debris and not blocked by ice dams. Water from the thaw needs to be able to flow freely away from the home.

Snow and ice accumulation: Remove snow that’s accumulated around home’s foundation to prevent basement drainage problems as it thaws. Since the ground is saturated, the run-off needs to be able to flow away from the home instead of into it.

Street sewer drains: Take time to clean the flow to your street sewer drain system. Make sure it’s free of snow and ice accumulation. When the thaw begins this will enable water to flow into the sewer instead of accumulating on roads and sidewalks.

Inside the home
Basement sump pump: Make sure the sump pump is in working order. It’s likely to get a workout once the thaw begins.

Items stored in basement: If you’re like most homeowners, you have boxes and items stored in the basement. To keep them dry, install shelving units to keep them off the floor in case of water backup.

Plumbing: To help keep pipes from freezing during extreme periods of cold or during power failures, wrap them with foam insulation (made especially for pipes and can be found in most hardware or home improvement stores). During times of extreme cold, for pipes along exterior walls of the home, open cabinet doors and turn faucets to a slow drip. If a power outage occurs, turn off the water supply at the main valve, then open all faucets and flush the toilets to allow water to drain from the pipes.

Heating: Have heating units inspected annually. Before using a fireplace or wood-burning stove, be sure to have flues checked and cleaned. If using supplemental heating units, like kerosene heaters, use only recommended fuel and be sure to crack a window for ventilation if being used as a sole source of heat.

Supplies: Emergency supply kits should include batteries, first-aid kits, battery-powered radio and flashlights, manual can opener, some dry food items and drinking water.

Cars
Winterize your car: It’s never too late. Check batteries, brakes, fluid levels, head- and taillights, wipers, and tire tread and pressure. Pack an emergency car kit that includes hats, gloves, batteries, emergency flares, dry food rations, snow and ice scrapers, and sand or kitty litter for traction.

Winter driving: Allow extra travel time to reach your destination. If forced to travel in bad weather, make sure your cell phone is charged. Notify those at your destination of your departure time, your planned travel route and your estimated arrival time. Keep in touch with any plan or route changes.

ABS v. standard brakes: Know if your vehicle is equipped with an Antilock Braking System (ABS). For vehicles with ABS, remember the three S’s – STOMP (firmly depress the brake pedal; STAY (stay on the brakes – do not pump); STEER (where you want the vehicle to go). For standard braking systems, take any corrective actions gradually. Gently apply and reapply pressure to brakes to stop.

Road conditions: Be aware that potholes develop during periods of freezing and thawing. Drive defensively and be aware of other vehicles in close proximity should you need to dodge a pothole or other road debris. Be aware of the potential for “black ice.” You may think road is just wet, but ice can accumulate during quick shifts in temperatures.

The Ohio Insurance Institute is a trade association representing insurance companies and agent groups for the property/casualty industry. Its main objective is to increase understanding of insurance and related safety issues.

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