By Lorie Ham
Spring is finally upon us! It is time to put your jackets, sweaters, and other winter apparel away and bring out your shorts, tank tops, and swimsuits. It’s also time to plan a vacation, find a good book to read by the pool as soon as it is warm enough, and bring out the BBQ. But with the joys of spring also come a different set of safety concerns than those we faced in the winter.
Sometime this spring it will likely be warm enough to head to the pool. We had an article a few years ago with pool safety tips, but it never hurts to have a refresher. Click here to find tips to make your pool time safer. If you plan to go on vacation before the summer crowds, there are also things you should consider before heading out. In June of 2023, we wrote about minimizing loss while on vacation. One good tip is to ask a friend or family member to check on your home while you are away. You can find more tips in last year’s article! And if you are planning to do some BBQing this spring, be sure to check out another past article that includes some BBQ and food safety tips.
Spring can also be a great time for vehicle maintenance. Depending on where you live, your car’s needs may change as the weather warms up. It is also a good idea to make sure your car is in good condition before heading out on that spring trip, so you don’t end up breaking down. Spicer Parts has a great spring auto checkup list on their website. The list includes checking your tires, windshield wipers (so you are prepared for those spring downpours), brakes, fluids, and more!
Speaking of spring weather, something else that may be a concern are spring winds and hail. An article on the AAA website shares some useful tips for checking around your home for any safety issues. Do your trees need to be trimmed further away from your home and nearby power lines? If you expect wind it is a good idea to secure outdoor furniture and move yard items indoors. You should also clean up the area around your home and remove any debris from your gutters, drains, spouts, and roof to help those spring showers flow smoothly off your home. The article also states that high winds and hail cause the majority of roof problems every year, so keeping your roof well-maintained is an important step to preventing spring storms from damaging your home.
Fire season also begins in April. What can you do to protect your home during this dangerous season? CalFire has some tips on hardening (protecting) your home against fire. These include exploring affordable retrofitting options to enhance your home’s defense against wildfires. One thing you can do to protect your roof is to opt for composite, metal, clay, or tile roofing to resist fires. Other vulnerable areas of our home, according to an article on the University of California website, include vents, gutters, eaves, decks, and windows. The article suggests assessing your risks and prioritizing your actions. Some actions you took to prepare for spring weather can also help protect your home from fires, such as removing debris. Roof edges can be protected with metal flashing, and you can fill in gaps between the roof covering and the sheathing. There are many other helpful suggestions on their website.
This may be a lot to consider to ensure a happy and safe spring, but the peace of mind will make it well worth it! If you haven’t done a checkup on your insurance coverage yet this year, it is a good idea to do that now as well. That way you know you are prepared for anything that may happen this spring. You can contact Mennonite Insurance with any questions you have at (559) 638-2327.