Winter-proof your home to weather the storms

With high winds and harsh storms predicted throughout November, Halifax Home Insurance advises householders to give their home a winter health check now to reduce the risk of weather-related damage.

The UK could be in for some severe weather this autumn, so before the forecast bad weather strikes, Halifax Home Insurance is advising homeowners to winter-proof their homes to minimise damage to their property.

Vicky Emmott from Halifax Home Insurance says: "Winter is the time when we retreat to the warmth and safety of our homes, but before doing so there are some essential checks that need to be carried out. With home emergencies, prevention is certainly better than the cure, and many claims could be avoided if householders spent a small amount of time preparing for the coming bad weather."

Outside:

Check the condition of the roof. Look for cracked or broken tiles, cracks in the chimney or problems with the pointing. If any repairs are needed, hire a professional roofing contractor to carry out the work as soon as possible.
Clear the gutters and drain pipes of any leaves or debris that have built up in them to reduce the risk of blocks and overflows.
Keep gates and outbuilding doors fastened securely and secure any other loose items.
Check external light fittings are secure.
Cut back low hanging branches that could cause damage in high winds or storms.

Inside:

Have your boiler serviced at least once a year by a CORGI registered gas professional and have the central heating and gas fires checked to ensure they are working safely and efficiently.
Check that the loft is insulated properly but also has adequate ventilation.
Thicker curtains will help to keep more heat in the home.
Keep the central heating set to at least 10 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing.

In an emergency:

Keep a home emergency kit prepared in case of a winter emergency such as a severe storm. This could include torches, spare bulbs and batteries, your home insurance documents, other emergency contact details, tinned food, warm clothing, blankets and a shovel.
Listen to the radio for regular updates on the weather or other emergency situations.
While most home insurance policies cover many eventualities, there are certain emergencies that require something extra. Halifax offers its customers a 24 hour helpline, manned by fully trained colleagues, who can offer you useful information and advice on how to manage a home emergency.
Halifax’s Home Emergency Cover provides a 24/7 helpline which, for just over £3 extra a month, guarantees the provision of an approved tradesperson to make your property safe within hours.

Last year Halifax Home Insurance handled almost 18,000 weather-related claims totalling over £16 million pounds, including storm damage, freezing pipes, falling trees and aerials, lightening and floods. The average UK claim value, according to Halifax's own data, was just over £1,000.