Last week the town was reminded of the importance of keeping up with your home maintenance and fire safety. Many of you may have noticed that the Horizon II (the former Raven) was unfortunate enough to have lost a building just down the road from our neighbourhood. While the cause has not yet been reported, it is a reminder that the winter is an important season to test your smoke detectors, make sure your furnace is in good working order and make sure your insurance policy is up to date.
In winter we spend more time at home, indoors. Furnaces work harder and you may start using space heaters to keep ourselves toasty. It’s important to go through and test your smoke detectors and replace batteries if needed. Make sure they are never unplugged, even if they’re sensitive to when you’re cooking bacon. Ensure that space heaters, and other sources of combustion like candles, are not left unattended and check that your fire extinguisher is not outdated if you have one (it is definitely recommended).
Sadly, even the best protected homes and the most diligent owners can’t anticipate every twist and turn life throws at us. Insurance plays a key role in making sure you are not out of pocket if the worst comes to pass and is required in the Klondike Gateway Rules and Regulations. This is why it’s important to make sure that your insurance policy is up to date. It’s also a good opportunity to talk to your insurance agent or broker to see if money can be saved thanks to a promotion or bundling, it may even help you save money for those post-holiday bills!
For more tips on fire safety and prevention:
Safety Tips from St John’s Ambulance
Home Safety Program from the City of Calgary
Klondike Gateway 