IBC Top 10: Maintenance tips for winterizing your home

NOVEMBER 21, 2014 (TORONTO) – Now that snow has made its first appearance across the province, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) offers Ontarians maintenance tips to protect their homes over the winter season. “Low temperatures, high winds, significant snow fall and freezing rain can be hard on houses. By following a few simple maintenance tips, you can help ensure your home and property remains in good condition over the winter months,” said Ralph Palumbo, Vice-President, Ontario, IBC.

IBC’s top 10 maintenance tips for winterizing your home are:

Test and maintain smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Ensure your furnace, wood stove and any other heating sources are in good working condition

Have them inspected, maintained and cleaned. During the heating season, clean or replace furnace air filters each month.

If you go on vacation, even for a few days, leave the heat on and have someone you trust check on your home while you are away.
Run water through all plumbing fixtures regularly.
Test plumbing shut-off valves.
Inspect your attic for frost accumulation, and check your eavestroughs and roof for potential ice dams or icicles.
Keep your sidewalk and the front stairs of your house clear of snow and ice.
Keep snow away from gas meters, gas appliance vents, exhaust vents and basement windows.
Trim branches that are close to your house or electrical wires.
Prevent freezing of pipes by fitting exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping.

About Insurance Bureau of CanadaInsurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is pleased to celebrate 50 years as a valuable resource for insurance information. Since 1964, IBC has been working with governments across Canada to make our communities safer, championing issues that directly affect Canadians and the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry. IBC is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the P&C insurance market in Canada. The private P&C insurance industry employs over 118,600 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes and levies to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $48 billion.

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