Be sure to have a Personal Property Inventory List stored in a safe location, along with important receipts, and photographs or your home’s furnishings, if you have them. Such information can speed both your claim and its resolution. If you have any questions regarding prevention tips or safety measures, please feel free to contact our office at 978-352-8000 or email us.
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Roofs
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Keep ice and snow away from drain areas on roofs by clearing a path from the roof center to the drains.
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On a pitched roof without drains, open paths leading to the roof edge to assure proper drainage.
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Never attempt to melt ice from drains or roof surface with a blow torch or similar device.
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Be careful when walking on roofs to avoid surface damage.
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Ice Dams
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If water begins to leak through your ceilings or walls, punch small holes in the plaster or dry-wall to relieve the pressure. Use either a nail or hand-operated drill. NEVER USE AN ELECTRIC DRILL! Place buckets under these holes to catch water. Immediately advise our office of the damage. |
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Unplug or shut off all electrical appliances in the damaged area.
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Remove as much water as possible from your floors and furniture using sponges or cloths.
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Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions to hasten drying.
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Open drawers and cabinet fronts if furniture gets wet.
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Frozen Pipes
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The simplest way to prevent your pipes from breaking is to wrap electric heating tape around the pipes. If tape isn’t available, you can also prevent damage by loosely wrapping pipe with several layers of newspaper and tying with string.
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Water Damage
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Hard Furniture — Water intrusion can lead to two types of damage. The furniture itself can be damaged, and the stain from the furniture can cause damage to your carpet. It is a smart idea to remove all small furniture from the affected area. For larger furniture, consider placing squares of aluminum foil underneath the furniture legs. Isolate floor lamps or smaller movable objects using plastic sheeting or aluminum foil.
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Soft materials — Drapes, bedspreads and sofa/chair skirts can wick water if they are touching the carpet. Quick remedies for these are:
• throw bedspreads up on the bed
• pin sofa/chair skirts up onto the side of the furniture
• using plastic or wooden hangers, fold drape on its pleats, then insert folded drape onto hanger about 1/3 up from the bottom. Then secure hanger to the drapery rod.
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Clothing — Look in closets and under beds. Leather shoes can quickly become stained and damaged. Remove other loose items from the floor in closets.
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Fire Prevention Tips
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Have your central heating system maintained and cleaned by a licensed professional on a regular basis.
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Be sure there is a metal screen or heat tempered glass door in front of your fireplace.
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Be sure space heaters meet any safety measures suggested by the fire department.
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Turn off any portable heater before leaving the house or going to bed.
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Periodically inspect an electric heater or electric blanket.
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If you have a wood stove, schedule an annual inspection and cleaning of your chimney or flue prior to each heating season.
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When cooking, prevent skillets or pans from becoming too hot and don’t let too much grease accumulate. NEVER POUR WATER OR ANYTHING ELSE ON A GREASE FIRE.
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If food ignites in your microwave oven, suffocate the fire by keeping the door closed and hitting the stop switch.
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If cooking on a gas grill, light your match before turning on the gas. Keep your grill outside and use it only outside — never on a porch, balcony or stairway.
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Never overload your outlets with too many plugs.
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NEVER USE WATER ON AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.
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Store gasoline, paints, solvents and other flammable liquid in clearly labeled cans outside the home, away from sources of heat and ignition.
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Be sure there is an adequate number of smoke detectors installed in your home. Check the batteries regularly.
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If a fire has occurred, please make temporary repairs to protect your home from weather or intruders. Make arrangements for the temporary safe storage of contents that can be removed. Make sure all valuables are removed and safe. Keep records and receipts of costs related to repairs and clean-up.
As soon as arrangements have been made, notify our office of the damage.
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