American Modern Offers Tips to Prepare Homes for Winter

AMELIA, Ohio, Nov. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As the leaves change and temperatures drop, the time to winterize your home is here. American Modern Insurance Group^®, a leading specialty insurer, offers homeowners and renters easy and effective tips to winterize your home and prevent costly damages caused by cold weather.

According to American Modern, roof collapses due to the weight of ice and snow can be seen as early as November, and peak in February and March. Claims filed for damages caused by freezing pipes begin in December and typically peak in January and February, when deep freezes hit. Before it becomes too late to insulate, these simple steps can be used to properly winterize your home ahead of the freezing temperatures:

1. Caulk around windows and weather-strip doors. Feel around windows and doors to detect for cool air and drafts. If there are gaps larger than a nickel, it's important to cover these spaces so heat stays in the house.
2. Checking the gutters. Clean the gutters and downspouts so rain water can flow freely. A plugged gutter or damaged drain pipe can create an ice dam, and a subsequent roof leak.
3. Trimming the trees. Overhanging branches covered with ice or snow can fall on the roof, damaging its integrity and allowing leaks.
4. Sweeping your Chimney. Make sure any heating appliances like chimneys and vents are properly cleaned before they kick into full gear for the winter. This will help prevent chimney fires or carbon monoxide from getting in the house.
5. Turn off exterior faucets. Disconnect all garden hoses and drain sprinkler systems. If your home has an internal shut off valve for exterior faucets, be sure to turn this off to prevent water from dripping and freezing.
6. Reverse your ceiling fans. Put your ceiling fans on reverse after you turn on your heat. The fan will produce an updraft and push down heated air into the room from the ceiling (hot air rises).
7. Hang heavy curtains. Hanging curtains made out of thicker material in front of windows can help living spaces stay warmer throughout the winter. 
8. Be diligent about oil supply. Understand if your oil supply is delivered on an automatic basis and diligently check levels to ensure the heat is on and pipes don't freeze.

"In areas that saw heavy snow events last year such as Buffalo and Boston, we saw the importance of being diligent with your oil supplier and delivery schedules," said Heather Bolyard, Assistant Vice President of Claims Support for American Modern. "Keeping your heat on and at an appropriate temperature is an important step in safeguarding your home from harsh winter conditions."

About American Modern Insurance Group
American Modern is a widely recognized specialty insurance leader that delivers products and services for residential property--like manufactured  homes and specialty dwellings--and for consumers in the recreational market, including owners of boats, personal watercraft, classic cars, motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles. The company also provides products and services to protect financial institutions and their customers.

American Modern is licensed in all 50 states through six property and casualty companies, which are part of an insurance group that enjoys an A+ (superior) rating by the A.M. Best Company, a leading independent insurance analyst.  These companies insure more than 1.7 million policyholders countrywide and have been recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Cincinnati Business Courier and a Top Workplace by the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Policies are written by one of the licensed insurers of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc., including American Modern Home Insurance company d/b/a in CA American Modern Insurance Company (Lic.No 2222-8).

www.amig.com

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SOURCE American Modern Insurance Group

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