How to protect your home during winter

Keep your home warm and safe this winter by taking steps to protect it from common damage caused by tough weather.

It could save you a lot of hassle, as well as avoiding unexpected expenses at a time when everyone is trying hard to save money. 

Here are some of our best tips.

PROTECT YOUR PIPES

It’s inevitable that there will be at least one or two periods of very cold weather every year, which can cause damage to pipes. Here’s how to prepare:

• If you go away, to help prevent pipes from freezing, if you can, put your radiators on a ‘frost protection’ setting or, if you have a smart thermostat, set it to anti-frost.
• Consider lagging outside pipes and those in your loft to prevent them freezing and then bursting in the cold. Lagging just means wrapping your water pipes in foam tubes. It’s cheap and you can have a go at it yourself.
• Make sure you know where the stop tap is, and check it works, in case you suffer a leak.

See our guide for more information on how to reduce the risks of frozen or burst pipes.

WEATHER THE STORM

Winter weather means a greater likelihood of high winds, storms and, of course, snow, all of which can take their toll on your home. It is worth taking a few steps that may help prevent damage:

• Check your roof for missing slates, not forgetting felt on sheds and garages – if necessary, you may want to call in a professional rather than attempt to inspect high roofs yourself.
• Keep your gutters, gullies and drains, including downpipes, clear of leaves.
• Prepare for high winter winds, by taking steps like securing loose objects and keeping trees pruned (you might need to check first that they aren’t subject to a Preservation Order)
  
  

KEEP BURGLARS AT BAY

The long winter nights may provide extra cover for burglars. Make your home less of an easy target, while spending little or nothing, by:

• Locking windows and doors
• Not leaving spare home or car keys in view from outside, or near windows or letterboxes.
• Putting away garden tools, which burglars could otherwise use to smash a window and gain entry.
• Asking a neighbour to park a car in your drive if you go away, to give the impression you’re at home.
• Putting up a cheap ‘beware the dog’ sign (whether or not you have a dog).

There are plenty of other simple and practical steps you can take to keep burglars at bay.

Protect your home

Make sure you're ready for the different seasons, with our tips on how to protect your home whatever the weather.

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MINIMISE FIRE HAZARDS

Open fires, lit candles and fireworks all increase the chances of a domestic fire in the winter. Keep the risk to a minimum by following these tips:

• Install a functioning smoke detector and test it regularly.
• Avoid leaving candles unattended, in a draught or somewhere they may be knocked over; and keep a guard in front of an open fire if you’re out of the room.
• Buy a couple of fire extinguishers – keep them handy and know how to use them.
• Don’t fill a chip pan more than one third full of fat or oil.
• Always switch off electric blankets before getting into bed and make sure they carry a safety mark.

Read our guide about other steps you can take to help prevent a house fire.

Getting into good habits and knowing how to protect your home can help you have a safer and more relaxed winter.

For more information about how to protect your home and belongings, go to Solved.

You can find out more about our home insurance here.