Wrap Up Your Home For Winter

With freezing weather and lashings of rain on the way, here are fourteen timely tips on preparing your property for winter.

It seems to me that the country has got a whole lot colder over the past fortnight, with snow having fallen in several parts of England. Brrrrrr!

Luckily for me, last month I moved to a larger family home which has much better central heating. In previous winters, working in my office in a chilly loft meant wrapping myself up in layers of warm clothing to keep warm. However, I'm typing this article from my cosy new bedroom, which is a great improvement on my previous predicament.

Of course, colder conditions create problems for properties, especially those which haven't been well-maintained. Thus, this is the perfect time of year for homeowners and tenants to conduct a pre-Christmas property `health check'. Not only will this help to protect your home from damage, it also safeguards the value of what may be your most valuable asset.

Here are fourteen tips on battening down the hatches, courtesy of insurer Legal & General and Fool.co.uk:

1. Make sure that your buildings and contents insurance policies are up to scratch. (In short, building insurance protects anything that would remain if you turned your home upside down and shook it. What falls out would be covered by contents insurance.) Your policy should cover damage caused by storm, flood and water escaping from frozen pipes. It should also pay out for damage caused by falling trees or a dislodged television aerial.

2. Fences and gates damaged in a storm or high winds are not normally covered by household insurance, so make sure that these are in a good state of repair.

3. Know where your stopcock is, as speedily shutting off the water in an emergency could prevent a great deal of damage. In addition, check all water pipes and tanks are properly lagged, and repair any dripping taps.

4. If you haven't already, check that your heating is in good working order. If you have a chimney which is in use, then have it swept at least once a year, as per this advice. If you plan to be away for a few days, then leave the heating on a low setting, just in case temperatures drop while you're gone. Also, check that any loft insulation is at least ten inches (25cm) thick.

5. If you need to keep driveways and paths clear, then make sure that you have a good supply of grit or salt.

6. Clear drains and gutters of any leaves or debris which could block them.

7. Repair any cracked or loose roof tiles and slates to prevent them from being blown off.

8. Store away (or secure firmly) any garden furniture, planters, pots, tools and toys, so as to prevent them from being damaged in a storm. In addition, make sure that trees close to your home are stable, and prune branches which overhang your property.

9. Check windows and frames to ensure that they are firmly fixed and have no gaps for rain to creep in. This goes for garages, greenhouses and sheds, too.

10. In case of severe storms or flooding, have an emergency kit standing by. Include food, drink, warm clothing, a first-aid kit, a torch and batteries, candles and matches, plus any medication.

11. Know where your gas and electricity supplies can be turned off.

12. If you face a severe risk of flooding, then move furniture, personal possessions and valuables to safety. You can block air bricks and doorways using sandbags or floorboards.

13. Keep important details, including your household insurance documents and contact number, in a waterproof plastic bag.

14. In an emergency, contact your insurer without delay on its claims helpline. In most cases, you won't need to complete a claim form, as essential details will be taken over the phone.

Here's wishing you a Jack Frost-free winter!