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While most of us associate summers with school breaks and family vacations, it is about something weird for many people: storms. Around 100,000 thunderstorms occur in the U.S. each year, 10 percent of which reach severe levels. In 2019 alone, the total insured losses due to thunderstorms amounted to $27 million. Hence, extreme weather can be harmful to you and your family. Following these summer safety tips should help you avoid homeowner’s insurance in Illinois and stay afloat through the season.
Preparing Your Home
Every spring, it is more important than ever to prepare your home for the summer months. To keep you and your family safe, install sunshades on windows to deflect heat and seal any cracking weatherstrips or caulk on external doors and windows. Moreover, look for any overgrown tree limbs outside your home. They may fall during a storm if you fail to do anything about them.
Keep Pests at Bay
In addition, spray your home and garden to protect it from pest and animal infestations. You may also set deterrents or traps for potential creatures. Even better would be to schedule a yearly inspection at the beginning of each summer to stop termites right in their tracks before they cause damage to your home through the season.
During a Thunderstorm
If you do get hit by a thunderstorm, be sure to stay calm throughout the event. But you and your loved ones do need to keep certain precautions in mind. For example, no one should leave the house until the storm has cleared and it is safe to go out according to the local authorities. Also, stay away from windows as they can break any time during the storm. In the case of water damage, keep yourself away from electrical wiring too.
After a Thunderstorm
You also need to stay aware of the hazards that await you after the thunderstorm subsides. For example, stay alert while driving through a flooded roadway. You never know how deep the standing water might be. Moreover, areas hit badly by the storm have the risk of falling debris long after the storm is over. Thus, it is best to stay steer clear of such roadways when you go out after the storm. Plus, if you notice and downed power lines, report them as soon as you can.
Summer Safety for Yards and Pools
Both adults and kids like to spend time outside during summers. Keep in mind that injuries often occur around playground equipment and pools. Thus, take steps for children’s safety with the help of shock-absorbing materials. If you have a hot tub or a pool, consider installing safety fences between the home and the pool so that children cannot access them.
Summer Safety Conclusion
Keeping in mind summer breaks and vacations, summers are exciting for many of us. However, they also bring with them disastrous thunderstorms that may undermine the safety of you and your family.
If you’re located in an area prone to thunderstorms, it’s best not to take any risks. Contact SIA Insurance Group for homeowner’s insurance in Illinois.
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