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Does your emergency preparedness plan include a generator? Whether you’re facing a public safety power shutoff in California due to red flag wildfire conditions or an ice storm, heavy snow or hurricane that downed power lines or another manmade or environmental emergency, it’s a good idea to be ready for power outages.

The post Make a generator part of your emergency backup plan appeared first on The Cincinnati Insurance Companies blog.

An increase in foot traffic can create safety concerns – especially during the winter when limited access to off-road walking paths, parks and clear sidewalks may bring more people directly into the road. With fewer safe places to walk, people may be pushed closer to the cars and trucks on the road.

The post Walking (and driving) in a winter wonderland appeared first on The Cincinnati Insurance Companies blog.

As temperatures drop and winter takes hold in many parts of the country, now is a good time to prepare for the winter chill and to be reminded of how to stay safe during spells of cold weather.

The post The cold is setting in; 5 tips to keep warm appeared first on The Cincinnati Insurance Companies blog.

Winter weather can take many forms from mild to windy to cold to unpredictable -- yet snowfall is inevitable in most temperate areas of North America. Along with the eventual snow is the need to clear it from the driveway and sidewalks of your home or business.

The post Throw snow – not caution – to the winds appeared first on The Cincinnati Insurance Companies blog.

Prepare your home for winter weather so your family stays warm and comfortable. Consider these suggestions for your comfort and safety.

The post Help your home stand up to winter appeared first on The Cincinnati Insurance Companies blog.

Be Ready for Winter Weather

In some parts of the country, winter brings the beauty of snowfall, skiing, building snowmen and spending time with family, but it can also present dangerous or hazardous conditions. 
Learn what you can do to prevent or reduce winter weather related damages so you can enjoy your winter season.

Most roofs are designed to withstand heavy snowfall but it’s important to take necessary precautions to prevent damage to your home. Learn More

Water heaters are an essential part of our daily routines. No one wants to use cold water to wash hands, clean homes or take showers at any time of year, especially in the winter. But maintaining a water heater is probably not something most people think about often.

Regardless of a water heater's age, visual signs of rust on the outside can be a warning sign that it needs to be replaced. Rust and corrosion on the outside of a water heater means that the rust has already eaten through the inner-most fiberglass lining, insulation and made its way to the exterior. This deterioration cannot be reversed or repaired and can lead to leaks or breakdowns, depending on the extent of the exterior rust involved.

Hot water heaters come in different sizes and hold different amounts of water. However, households are commonly equipped with 30-to-80-gallon tanks. In the event of a break that much water could seep through lower levels, cause floors to buckle and pool up in finished basements causing quite a bit of damage.

If you notice any signs of damage or rust in your water heater, it may be a good idea contact a plumber to discuss maintenance or replacement options.

Share this firsthand experience of a water heater leak.

Many areas of the country experienced record snowfall last winter, especially in the western United States. With winter approaching once again, it is time to begin the process of winterizing your property.  One area that is often overlooked is protecting your home’s natural gas meter from the damaging effects of winter weather.  Large accumulations of snow or ice falling from roofs can damage your gas meter and associated gas piping creating potentially hazardous leaks. 

There are steps you can take to prevent problems with your gas meter before winter arrives and after the snowfall starts.

  • Consider installing an engineered snow shelter or shed to protect the meter from falling, sliding or accumulating snow and ice
  • Keep meters free of snow and ice by using a broom and not a shovel, to avoid damaging the meter
  • Allow vents in the meter to properly exhaust
  • Maintain a clear path to the meter and when shoveling or plowing, don’t pile snow on the gas meter

Some common ways to identify a gas leak include1:

  • Smell - natural gas has a scent similar to rotten eggs, even if faint
  • Hear - when there is a gas leak from the ground, above ground piping or appliance, it will often make a hissing sound
  • See – unexplained dead or dying vegetation or grass, bubbling puddles or other standing water or dirt, water and other debris blowing into the air could signify a potential leak
If you suspect a leak, please take caution. Leave the area immediately and call 911 as well as your local gas utility company.
 

1United States Department of Transportation

Winter Weather Tips

For additional winter weather resources visit our blog.

Our loss control service is advisory only. We assume no responsibility for management or control of customer loss control activities or for implementation of recommended corrective measures. This content was gathered from trade services and public information and does not identify or address all possible exposures. We do not warrant that this information is consistent with the underwriting guidelines of The Cincinnati Insurance Company and its subsidiaries or with any federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance.
 
To report a claim: You may call us directly, 877-242-2544, to report your claim and provide us with your claim-related information. You may also contact your independent agent to report a claim.

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