Having a Safe Holiday Season

The holidays are a wonderful time for family and friends to get together to enjoy themselves, and all the festivities. This time of year is also the start of winter and cold, snowy weather. Unfortunately, it’s factors like these that can actually ruin the holiday season. Instead of having a worrisome or dangerous holiday, remember to be careful and assure you’re in a safe environment at all times. The following are some holiday safety tips and suggestions from our very own JT Legal Group.

Protecting Your Home from the Cold

As temperatures drop, a home can become vulnerable to the storms and very low temperatures that winter can bring. It is important to take steps to protect your home from these issues. This can help prevent various problems, as well as understand what to do if an issue occurs.

Burst Pipes

One of the biggest issues that affect homes during the cold winter months is frozen pipes. If not protected when the temperatures drop, the water pipes can freeze. This itself can limit the ability to use water in the home. Such decrease in temperature can also pose a risk of the pipes cracking or bursting. When the water freezes, it expands and can push excessive pressure on the pipes — causing them to break.

Saving Yourself the Trouble Ahead of Time

A broken pipe can cause serious damage to the home. These damages can also increase the risks of mold and health-threatening risks, as well. If a pipe breaks, it is important to shut off the main water valve immediately. To make this process easier in the event of a broken pipe, be certain to keep the area clear to allow easy access to the water main valve. It may also be a good idea to look into getting a water meter key. This can allow easier shut off at the water meter in cases where the pipe break is before the water main valve.

Preventing Further Bursts

For pipes that are located on the exterior wall or are not properly insulated, there are methods for helping to prevent them from freezing. Opening cabinet doors around faucets can allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes. Also, when the temperatures drop below freezing, turn on both the hot and cold to a slow drip in each faucet. This will keep the water moving and minimize the risk of freezing.

Considering Legal Assistance

If damage occurs due to a broken pipe, getting repairs as soon as possible can help limit the damage and risks of mold. Most homeowners insurance policies will cover these types of damages. However, they may attempt to limit the payout or not cover all the costs necessary to fully repair the home. In these instances, a trusted attorney may be able to help get the coverage needed to pay for these damages. Moreover, the attorneys at JT Legal Group will also be able to send out their own adjuster to evaluate the extent of the damages, and even begin working on your well-needed repairs.

Fireplace Safety

There is nothing more enjoyable than sitting around the fireplace with family on a cold winter’s night. The warm glow of the fire can provide a comfortable heat that can remove any chill caused by the harsh winter. The dancing flames and crackling logs can be more entertaining than any television show. A fireplace can be a wonderful part of any home. However, there are risks associated with a fireplace that can pose serious issues in the home.

Making Room for Santa

Before lighting the fireplace for a cozy evening, it is important to remove any holiday decorations that may be near the fireplace. Although hanging garland and stockings around the fireplace provide a festive aesthetic to the home, it can create a serious fire hazard when lighting the fire. It is also important to ensure the damper or flue is open to allow the smoke to be drawn out of the home. If uncertain, look up the chimney with a flashlight to ensure it is fully opened. It is also a good idea to clear out the ashes from the previous fire to an inch or less to allow a better airflow around the logs.

Lighting the Fire

When lighting the fire, use dry, well-aged wood or manufactured logs. Do not use wet or green wood as it can cause more smoke and soot build up in the chimney. It is also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher handy in case of an issue. Also, ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

In the Event of Emergency Fire

Unfortunately, accidents with a fireplace can happen. If a fire starts outside the fireplace, or smoke builds up in the home, it is best to get to safety and call for help. Fortunately, homeowners insurance can help with these types of damages. Most policies offer fire protection and can also cover costs of smoke damage in the home. However, if an insurance company attempts to refuse the payments for the property damage, it can make things difficult for the property owner. Fortunately, there are attorneys that can assist with these issues and help get the compensation needed for the repairs.

Driving During the Holidays

During the holiday season, many people are celebrating with family and friends. When the party ends, they venture into the vehicles and head home. Unfortunately, many of these people celebrated with alcoholic beverages during the party. This can create a deadly situation and can make the roads very dangerous.

Making the Right Decision

Being safe on the road means being a responsible driver. If drinking during the celebrations, be sure to designate a non-drinker as the driver for the evening, even if only having a few drinks. Even the slightest impairment can be enough to cause a serious accident. It is also important to be mindful of family and friends who have been drinking. If they have had too much to drink, call a cab, or let them stay over.

Minimize Distractions

If you are planning on driving during the holidays, especially in the evenings, be certain to pay attention to the other drivers. Avoid distractions, such as cell phones, while driving. It is also important to watch for those driving erratically. Having a watchful eye can help avoid some of these dangerous situations. It is also important to always wear your seatbelt. An accident can happen in a blink of an eye, a seat belt can save your life.

Taking Action

Unfortunately, there are many accidents that occur during the holiday season due to drinking. If you or a loved one are injured in a car accident during the holidays, call an attorney. They can help with these matters and help ensure the proper compensation is paid for any, and all damages from such an incident.

Staying Safe

Even with the best protection and preventative measures, accidents can still happen. These issues can be costly and make it difficult to enjoy the holidays. Fortunately, there are people that can help when these difficulties arise. A property damage attorney is available to assist in many of these incidents. These successful legal professionals can review the case and determine the best course of action to gain the compensation needed to repair any and all damages that arose from the accident. This can help ease the problems of such a dispute and allow you to get back to enjoying the holiday season.

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— Jack Ter-Saakyan, Esq.
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