Loss Prevention Tips

• Windows and Doors: Check or leaks, peeling paint, discoloration in paint or caulking or swelling of the window or door frame.
• Repair or Replace shingles around any area that allows water to penetrate the roof sheathing.
• Seal any cracks and holes in external walls joints and foundations. Examine locations where piping or wiring extends through outside walls and seal.
• Check for leaking faucets, dripping or sweating pipes and clogged drains. Inspect washing machine hoses for bulges cracks or wetness. Replace them every few years or sooner if problems are found. Inspect your water heater for signs of rust or water on the floor.
• Turn off the dishwasher, washing machine, and other water devices before leaving the house. Often water damage occurs when these things are left unattended.
• All vents including Clothes Dryer, attic and exhaust vents should have hoods, exhaust to exterior, be in good working order and have boots.
• Check for holes, air leaks or bypasses from the house and make sure there is enough insulation to keep heat from escaping. This can lead to ice damming.
• Make sure basement windows and doors have built up barriers or flood shields. Inspect sump pumps to ensure they work - a battery back- up system is recommended. Discharge as far from the house as possible.
• The relative humidity should be between 30 to 50%. Check for condensation on windows or wet stains on walls and ceilings. Is there any evidence of mould or mildew?
• To help prevent windstorm damage make sure shingles are well attached? Are there signs of curling at the edges?
• To help prevent windstorm damage check all connections between roofs and walls are tight to avoid sections being peeled off by winds.
• To help prevent windstorm damage check that all skylights, chimneys, pipes and vents are securely attached and won't be blown off.
• To help prevent windstorm damage make sure utters and downspouts are well connected and angled away from your home.
• Is the building well sealed to avoid wind from getting into cracks and crevices and causing interior damage?
• Check all siding and windows to ensure they are tightly attached.
• Overhead Garage Doors should be able to withstand high winds and be braced sufficiently.
• Storage sheds and outbuildings should be securely anchored.
• Make sure outdoor lighting fixtures and fencing are secured. Strong Winds can pick up items such as trash receptacles and turn them into missiles.
• Are there large shrubs or trees close to your home? Make sure they are healthy and well pruned to avoid ending up with a large limb or a tree in your living room.
• If you have garage- use it. Store vehicles inside where possible.
• If you must park your vehicle outside be on the lookout for things that can cause damage such as branches, lampposts, limbs and power lines.
• Make sure all medications are in the original containers - if you have any condition which may require the use of syringes, make sure you have a doctor's note.
• Use covered luggage tags with your office address instead of your home address.
• Make sure children know their home address and telephone number and where to meet if you get separated in the airport.
• Give a family member or friend your itinerary and contact information for your hotel.
• If you are a single parent travelling with children, make sure you have the necessary letters of permission to travel with your children.
• Leave your good jewellry at home or in a safety deposit box. Reduce the risk of getting robbed.
• Make photocopies of your passport, credit cards and other ID. Leave one copy with a relative at home and another separate from your originals.
• Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance and be careful of coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• Take it easy with the sun! It's hard to enjoy your holiday if you are burnt.
• Leave the motorcycle and scooter rentals to the locals.
• Rent a car from a reputable company.
• Be careful of overusing your cell phone. You might get a nasty surprise on your bill. Why did you even bring it, you are on vacation, right?
• Have a neighbor collect your mail or cancel deliveries while you are away.
• Use timers to turn your lights on and off, or have someone do it for you.
• If you have expensive jewellry hide n it in a safe place or better yet, store it in your safety deposit box.
• Have someone check your home daily.
• Make sure contact for your alarm have been updated, if necessary.
• Clear drains gutters and downspouts of debris and make sure your yard's grading directs water away from the building.
• Anchor fuels tanks. An unanchored fuel tank can be torn free by flood waters, and the broken supply line can cause contamination or if outdoors can be actually swept away.
• Buy and install sump pumps with back-up power where needed. Regularly check to make sure they are working.
• Cut off electrical service at the main breaker if the electrical system and outlets will be underwater.
• Raise electric components (switches,sockets,circuit breakers and wiring) at least 12" above the projected flood elevation.
• Place all appliances including furnace, water heater, washer and dryer on masonary blocks at least 12" above the projected flood elevation.
• After a flood, as soon as it is safe to do so, disconnect all electronics/electrical equipment and move it to a dry location.
• After a flood, remove as much standing water as possible from inside the building.
• After a flood, begin to remove water-damaged materials immediately.
• After a flood, ventilate with fans and/or dehumidifiers.
• After a flood, contact restoration company (we can recommend professionals) to start the process of mitigation.
• Millions of Canadians are being hit by Identity Theft every year. If your personalstolen and used without your knowledge, it can hurt your credit rating and ruin yourname. Insurance policies, while helping reimburse costs, cannot help you repair your reputation.
• Shred documents before discarding them.
• Protect your SIN number, don't carry it in your wallet or write it on a scrap of paper. Only give it out when absolutely necessary.
• Don't give out personal information over the phone, web or email unless you know who you are dealing with.
• Never click on links in unsolicited emails. Keep firewalls, anti-spyware and virus programs up-to-date.
• Don't use obvious passwords like your mother's maiden name.
• Keep personal information at home in a secure place.
• Be alert for Be Alert for bills that do not arrive as expected.
• Be alert for unexpected credit cards or account statements.
• Be alert for denials of credit for no apparent reason.
• Be alert for calls or letters about purchases you did not make.
• Inspect your credit report. You can often obtain this for no cost from the major reporting agencies such as Equifax and others.
• Inspect your financial statements. Review financial accounts and billing statements regularly looking for charges you did not make.
• If you suspect ID Theft, place a "Fraud Alert" on your credit report and review the reports carefully. Call ad get names of you speak with.
• If you suspect ID Theft, close accounts that may have been tampered with. Call the security or fraud department of each company and follow up in writing with supporting documents.
• If you suspect ID theft, keep copies of documents and records of conversations about the theft.
• If you suspect ID theft, file a police report with law enforcement officials to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.