The eventful nature of the festive season generally increases the risk of certain mishaps. For instance, according to Consumer Reports, emergency room visits usually increase significantly between Christmas and New Year. Other than accidents and sudden illnesses that may occur during the holidays, you may also lose your property through holiday-related perils such as fire, water damage, and theft. In all this, the silver lining is that home insurance coverage will likely pay for most of the eventualities that may happen in your home.
Even so, by preventing these perils from happening, you can save a lot on your insurance coverage.
Dry Christmas trees are highly flammable. It becomes even riskier if you use fire igniters such as candles and electric lights to decorate the tree. Every year between 2016 and 2020, the U.S. fire department responded to an average of 160 home fires involving Christmas trees. Therefore, as you decorate your Christmas tree for a joyous celebration, beware that a fire can erupt. Water the tree to prevent it from drying up, and avoid using flammables for decoration.
Cases of food poisoning also spike during winter holidays. This is particularly because this season involves a lot of cooking and eating. The bad news is that some people don’t pay good attention to the safety of the food they consume. Others binge eat and end up experiencing stomach upsets. Food contamination usually takes place during cooking, transportation, and storage. As such, keep your food safe from microbes to prevent food poisoning. Specifically, store food in special containers that guarantee safety. You don’t want to see everyone vomiting in the middle of a party.
Crashes also increase during winter holidays. Apart from the increased number of vehicles on roads, the increased rate of crashes can also be attributed to the many cases of drunk driving. A majority of Americans tend to overindulge during winter celebrations. Unfortunately, some go ahead to drive while drunk, hence causing traffic accidents. To protect yourself and your car, avoid driving while drunk; this will also help you save on your auto insurance costs. If you can’t find someone else to drop you home, be patient and wait until you’re sober before you drive.
Winter holidays increase the risk of water damage in the U.S. Compared to warmer seasons, there are more cases of frozen pipes, leaking water heaters, snow melting on the roof, and overflowed gutters during winter holidays. Unoccupied homes face a higher risk of water damage. Therefore, as you celebrate your winter holidays, keep your home at the right temperature to prevent cases of water damage. Some incredible tips to prevent water damage include insulating pipes, installing a snow shield, weatherstripping your house, and checking out appliance leaks.
Would you like to know an easy path to finding the best home insurance rate for your needs? At Reata Insurance Group, our team will help you find the right plan. Contact us today to get started on your customized home insurance policy.
