It’s getting cold outside and winter has arrived. Extreme cold weather can be hard on both you and your home. Here are some tips to help protect you from the cold weather, snow, and ice that may be headed to your area.

Protect Your Home From Freezing Pipes:

• Disconnect and drain garden hoses.
• Cover outside faucets with insulating foam covers.
• Turn off water to outside faucets, if available, and open valves on faucets to allow them to drain.
• Turn off sprinkler system and blow compressed air through the lines to drain them.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks.
• Let faucets drip with warm water.
• Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, electric heat tape, or a portable space heater to thaw frozen pipes that have not burst.
• After the weather has warmed, monitor your water meter to check for unseen leaks.

How to Keep Your Home Warm:

• Inspect fireplaces and chimneys, have them cleaned if needed.
• Have your furnace inspected before cold weather arrives. Inspect the heat exchanger for cracks, install a clean air filter, and check the thermostat to see if it’s working properly.
• Put up storm windows, or install sheet plastic window insulation kits on the inside of windows.
• Keep drapes and blinds closed, except when windows are in direct sunlight.
• Cover or remove any window air conditioners.
• Insulate electrical outlets and switches on exterior walls with foam seals available at home centers.
• Caulk any cracks or holes on the outside of your house.
• Repair or replace weather stripping and thresholds around doors and windows.
• Run paddle ceiling fans on low in reverse (clockwise when looking up) to circulate warm air.
• Put draft snakes on window sills, between window frames, and against doors.

These are just a few tips to help keep you and your family safe and warm this winter!

All content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only. Topics discussed on this blog relate to insurance products and issues in a general application, and are not an offer of insurance, a guarantee of coverage, or applicable to specific and individual circumstances. Contact LG Insurance Agency for questions and information specific to your insurance needs.

About LG Insurance

Founded in 2009 by Aaron Levine, LG Insurance is one of the Jersey Shore's fastest growing insurance agencies. Located in Long Branch Jersey, LG Insurance proudly serves many other local towns throughout Monmouth County including Asbury Park, Eatontown, Little Silver, Middletown, Ocean Township, Red Bank, Rumson, Shrewsbury and all of NJ. We also insure homes and busiensses on Long Island and in the Greater New York City area.

Specializing in personal and business properties in coastal areas, LG Insurance offers a full product line of personal and commercial insurance packages and products as well as a full line of life insurance and supplemental insurance coverages.