Safety Tip

Tis the season of red mud tracks through the house, wearing scarves and shorts on the same day, and planning your first PEI lobster feed. That’s right, spring has arrived on Prince Edward Island! As Islanders emerge from their winter hibernation, the warmer weather and longer days are an invitation to embrace the outdoors. It’s also the perfect time to make sure your home and outdoor spaces are safe and in good repair after the harsh winter weather.

From checking your fire alarms to cleaning your heat pumps and inspecting outdoor spaces, a little proactive maintenance now can help prevent costly issues and dangerous situations down the road. We’ve put together our best tips on how to make your home spring- and summer-ready while keeping safety top of mind. 

Give Your Yard Some TLC 

Spring is the perfect time to do a thorough inspection of your outdoor spaces and take steps to minimize fire hazards. 

• Trim trees and shrubs before they are in full foliage to minimize the chances of branches falling on your home, car, or other valuable items
• Check your decks, fences and other outdoor infrastructure for signs of damage from winter. Make sure to replace any loose or rotting boards and railings.
• Clean up any debris and garbage that could act as kindling in the event of a fire. 

After you’re done your yard due diligence, pull out the deck chairs, take a seat and soak up the spring sunshine on PEI.

Protect Against Water Damage and Flooding 

April showers bring May flowers, but they also bring the threat of water damage to your home and property.

The combination of rain and melting snow can cause basement flooding if you don’t take preventive measures. 

Your roof, doors and windows are also prime sources of water intrusion and mold build-up.

• Clean out your gutters and downspouts to avoid water damage 
• Inspect your  outdoor drainage and make sure water is flowing away from your house, not toward it
• Check your sump pump(s) to make sure they are working properly
• Inspect your roof for any loose or damaged shingles that may allow water to seep in and cause costly rot
• Check the seals and caulking around your windows and doors for potential issues that could cause water leaks
• Look for signs of rot or damage along the frames of your doors and windows and make sure they’re repaired promptly 

Check Your Safety and Security Systems

Spring is the perfect time to make sure your safety and security systems are working properly.

• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries if needed
• Check any security cameras, alarm systems and outdoor security lighting to ensure they are in good working order

Clean Your Heat Pumps 

Your heat pumps have been working hard all winter long. Reward them for keeping you warm and prepare them to keep you cool this summer by hiring a professional to service them. Cleaning/replacing the air filters will help improve their efficiency and your indoor air quality when the humid, hot days of summer arrive. 

• Schedule a professional to perform regular maintenance on your heat pump, including cleaning or replacement of the air filters

Get Ready for Grilling & Gardening Season 

Outdoor cooking season is just around the corner here on PEI!  You’re probably raring to get your BBQ out of storage and grill up some PEI steaks and lobster, right?  Us too! But before you hit the ‘ignite’ button, make sure you take a little time to protect against a fire.

And by the same token, when you’re ready to pull out the lawn mower and gardening gadgets an ounce of precaution is worth it! 

• Inspect propane tanks and gas lines for leaks before your first grill of the season.
• Clean the barbecue grates thoroughly and clean your grease tray to avoid potential fire hazards. 
• Check lawnmowers and garden tools to make sure they are in good repair. Sharpen  blades, refuel as needed and make sure they are stored safely in a location that is secure but easy to access. 

Review Your Home Insurance Policy

We believe every season is a good season to review your home insurance policy, but spring is an especially good time to do so. Head out to your back deck with your favourite beverage and your policy in hand. Take some time to review it and ensure you’re covered for seasonal risks such as flooding and storm damage. 

Also take into consideration your current insurance needs versus the needs you had when you first signed up. Have your circumstances changed in such a way that you might benefit from additional or different coverage? 

• Contact your agent directly or reach out to our office at 902-436-2185 or Toll Free at 1-800-565-5441, or reach out to us from our website

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Now that you’ve got your spring safety sorted, we hope you’ll head into the great outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty of our Island. Yes, you may need to pull out your rubber boots and wade through a bit of red mud, but that’s part of the fun! 

Whether you love hiking the Bonshaw hills, strolling along North Lake beach, birding on the South Shore, boating out of Northport, or any other kind of Island adventure, we wish you happy and safe travels!