Fall in North Carolina is certainly a beautiful time of the year. This is also the time of the year when we need to take extra measures to protect our homes to avoid damage.

Of course, your homeowners insurance covers you for most causes of damage to your home but it makes good sense to take these simple steps to prevent something bad from happening in the first place.

Fireplaces– Early one evening last fall while I left my house for a walk with my dog, I noticed flames coming out of a neighbor’s chimney. I quickly ran to their house to alert them of the danger. My neighbor came to the door and after I told him what was happening, he said he just lit a fire and didn’t realize flames were coming out of his chimney. Apparently, birds or squirrels built a nest in his chimney and fortunately, it soon burned out. The nest appeared to be small and was near the top of the chimney so the flames didn’t cause any damage. Every year before you begin using your fireplace, have your chimney inspected for lose bricks and debris then have it swept by a professional.

Gutters– Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause serious damage to your roof especially if left uncleaned for an extended period. If your gutters can’t drain properly, water builds up and seeps under the shingles and can cause the roofing materials to rot and leak. This is the time of the year to thoroughly clean the leaves and debris from your gutters. Be sure to think safety first and use a sturdy ladder, small hand rake and have someone nearby in case you fall.

Safety Equipment– As winter approaches, the danger of fire becomes more of a concern. The majority of homeowners insurance claims from fires occur this time of year. You and your family’s safety is at a higher risk. Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test them to make sure they operate properly. Also check your fire extinguishers to be sure they are full and ready for use. It’s a good idea to remind everyone in the home where they are located in case of emergency.

Heating System– It is recommended to have your heating system inspected every year before use. A good inspection will reveal any cracks in the furnace that can cause carbon monoxide to escape or a fire to occur. Replace your filters as well.You’ll also want to make sure there are no combustible materials like paint cans or solvents near your furnace.

Roof– Check your roof for possible leaks. Seal cracks in the joints and make sure you don’t have any broken shingles. As winter brings snow, many homeowners insurance claims occur due to melting snow seeping into cracks and underneath shingles.

Clothes Dryer– This is a good time to avoid another fire danger. Disconnect your clothes dryer vent and vacuum out any lint that may have collected. You may want to simply replace the tube to make this task easier. Lint is a common cause of fire and your clothes dryer must vent properly to avoid heat build up.

As your insurance agent, I want to help you protect what’s most important. I hope you find these fall home maintenance tips useful and will help you have a safe and trouble-free fall and winter.

Have any thoughts or tips to share? Please leave your comments below…

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