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Preparing Your Home for Extreme Weather
February is a common time for severe weather patterns, particularly storm-related flooding. In fact, last February’s three storms—Dudley, Eunice and Franklin—cost insurers an estimated £500 million, according to the Association of British Insurers. Home protection is vital all year round, but it’s especially critical this season due to persistent drought-like conditions that have been affecting much of Britain. Specifically, the rain-deprived ground may struggle to absorb heavy showers, allowing surface water to flow into nearby properties. As such, home protection measures are vital to prevent damage this winter. Consider the following tips to protect your home:

· Remove debris. High winds could blow away loose items. Bring smaller items indoors, trap wheelie bins in confined spaces and tie down trampolines and garden furniture when severe weather is forecast.
· Check drainage. Clogged gutters can rot fascia boards and allow water to enter your home. Clear leaves and debris regularly to make sure rainwater can properly drain and repair or replace any sagging gutters.
· Inspect roof tiles. Compromised roof tiles could fly off when battered by the wind. As such, regular roof maintenance is essential to look for early signs of damage. Inspect your roof for cracked or loose tiles and check the condition of the bricks and mortar on any chimney breasts. Hire a professional to fix any defects found.
· Be prepared. Prepare for worst-case scenarios by storing valuable and electrical items in high cupboards or upstairs. Store important documents—including any insurance policies—in watertight bags. Additionally, make sure you have torches and blankets readily available in case of power cuts. Also, consider signing up to receive the Met Office’s weather warnings.
Contact us today for further severe weather preparedness tips and to ensure that your property is adequately insured against loss.

Motor

Maintaining Tyres
Checking your vehicle’s tyres on a regular basis can help you stay safe on the road. Additionally, proper tyre maintenance can improve fuel efficiency, maintain proper steering and help prevent unwanted accidents. Consider the following tyre care and maintenance tips:
· Rotate your tyres every six months or 6,000 miles—whichever comes first. This practice will ensure that your tyres wear evenly.
· Check your tyre pressure once a month. Underinflated tyres can lead to tyre stress, irregular wear and car accidents. The right amount of air pressure needed for your tyres can be found in your owner’s manual or on the tyres themselves if they aren’t the ones your vehicle came with.
· Tyre tread helps your vehicle grip the road—which is especially important when driving on bends. As such, check your tread depth regularly. The 20p tyre test is one way to do this. Place a 20p coin into the main tread grooves of your tyres. If you can see any part of the outer band of the coin face, it’s time to replace your tyres. By taking the time to properly maintain your tyres, you can help ensure both your own and other drivers’ safety on the road.

Tips for Reducing Plastic Waste

An estimated 5 million tonnes of plastic are used every year in the UK, according to government data. Sadly, according to Greenpeace, less than 10% of plastic packaging gets recycled. The remainder pollutes the environment and can negatively affect human health. If you’re concerned about harm from plastic and packaging waste, you’re not alone. In fact, a recent poll by City to Sea and Friends of the Earth found that 92% of UK residents are concerned about plastic pollution. As such, consider these tips for reducing plastic waste:
· Invest in reusables. Single-use plastic bottles pose a significant environmental hazard, often ending up on beaches across the globe. Worse still, plastic bottle lids are small enough to be ingested by wildlife. As such, reduce plastic waste by switching to eco-friendly or reusable water bottles. Avoid single-use plastics altogether by swapping them with reusable shopping bags, silverware and other items.
· Review packaging. When shopping, carefully check an item’s packaging before purchasing. Some brands package products in paper or glass to help reduce the environmental impact. Alternatively, bring your own containers or buy products loose.
· Change small habits. Analyse your daily habits to see if making changes could improve your plastic footprint. For instance, if you currently wrap sandwiches in cling film, switch to recyclable aluminium foil. Better still, choose reusable storage options such as silicone food bags.
· Bring your own flask. Every year, around 2.5 billion coffee cups are discarded in the UK, according to the Consumers’ Association. Consider carrying a reusable coffee cup or flask.
· Reuse plastics. There are many simple and creative ways to recycle, reuse and repurpose plastic items. For example, use old milk bottles as watering cans and old peanut butter jars as snack containers. Before disposing of an item, creatively think of alternative uses.