Winter is here! That means enjoying the holidays, spending time with your loved

ones and taking in the sights and sounds of the season. It also means you’ll be

spending more time indoors to avoid the cold, which leaves you vulnerable to some

risks at home.

Homeowners insurance covers many items such as your home and your

possessions from a variety of perils, such as fire and sudden interior water damage

(like from a burst pipe or ruptured water heater), to name just a few.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends that flammable

objects should be kept at least three feet away from heat sources, which includes

fireplaces, radiators, wood stoves and space heaters. FEMA also recommends

that portable generators be kept far from homes and flammable objects,

keep chimneys clean of flammable soot and don’t plug more than one heating

appliance into an outlet.

These steps will make your home safer from sudden fires, but what about carbon

monoxide? Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a poisonous gas that is colorless, tasteless

and odorless; it’s often called the “silent killer.” If you’re burning carbon-based

fuel, including gas, propane and wood, you’re producing CO; that’s another

reason why you need to keep portable generators far away from the home.

It’s important to make sure that your dwelling has a CO detector that is

working properly. The alarms should be replaced every 10 years, and the batteries

at least once each year. Your dwelling also should be ventilated properly and the

ventilation should have no blockages; this lets CO escape.

All this burning fuel means pollution— both indoors and outdoors. Winters are

relatively cooler and drier compared to summer. Studies have shown that cool,

dry air carries more pollutants than hot, wet air; moisture carries pollutants out

of the air. Maintaining a well-ventilated home keeps pollutants out.

If you’re concerned about keeping yourself and your home sufficiently

covered this winter, give our agency a call. We can help you find gaps in your

homeowners coverage, and offer solutions so that you can enjoy the holiday safely.