Despite winter’s chill, the season can be a time of warmth and joy as friends and family gather around the fireplace and enjoy other seasonal activities. Like other times of the year, winter also has its mix of potential problems and liabilities that could expose you to unexpected financial and legal concerns.

Inside and outside the house, it is important to take note of the most common problem areas and take preventive measures to avoid possible accidents.

INSIDE THE HOME
One of the most obvious inside areas to address is the fireplace. Has the chimney been recently swept? Flammable deposits can build up unexpectedly and serve as a combustion source above the firebox, where flames can enter wall framing and create a devastating house fire. Annual chimney inspections and cleaning are essential, but if you use your fireplace often, more frequent cleaning is necessary.

Keep an eye on fireplaces while a fire is active. Fire screens or glass doors should be in place to prevent sparks or flaming wood from falling into the area outside the firebox. Other precautions, such as never going to bed while a fire is on, should be rigorously followed.

Be careful when using electrical space heaters and candles. Combustible materials, including newspapers, books, curtains, kerosene and alcohol, should be kept at least three feet away from heaters. Candles pose unique challenges because they can easily tip over and cause fires.

Check batteries in your smoke detector. If you didn’t check these in the fall, do so now to help save lives and minimize damage. Also, be sure that your fire extinguisher (preferably one that is a non-toxic, dry chemical type) has a full charge.

Be careful with extension cords. Short winter days lead to much greater electrical consumption and sometimes a proliferation of extension cords that may tax the electrical capacity of a given circuit. Any extension cord that feels hot to the touch should be disconnected and its devices redistributed to other circuits. Cords and electric blanket switches also should be checked for overheating.

OUTSIDE THE HOME
Outside the house, obvious dangers should be addressed immediately.

Avoid costly litigation by keeping sidewalks and driveways safe. These are a huge source of potential liability and should be salted and sanded to keep them free from ice. A standard homeowners policy helps protect your from negligence lawsuits, but check your insurance limits to see how much coverage you really have. The “medical payments to others” and liability sections are very important in today’s climate of high hospital costs and high lawsuit settlements.

Outdoor lighting should be carefully and regularly checked. Be sure that electrical lines are not hot to the touch.

Be vigilant about avoiding ice dams on roofs and eaves. They can damage the structure of the house, channel water into ceiling and wall cavities where electrical wires run, and even lead to dangerously sharp and heavy falling objects that can injure residents and visitors.

Install insulating Styrofoam caps on all outside faucets. As extended spells of cold weather set in, pipes are more likely to burst. Ice travels back from the faucet into the wall and can rupture a pipe – and damage your home or cause a fire - long before you’re aware of the problem.

With simple, common-sense precautions you can survive - and even enjoy - winter in the comfort of your home. While you’re checking on your home’s potential problems, be sure to also check on the advantages of upgrading or switching to an MTA-endorsed insurance program. Thousands of MTA members are saving now – and you can, too. Call us today for a free quote at 800.336.0990 or visit www.mtabenefits.com.

Underwritten by The Hanover Insurance Company (www.hanover.com). Product availability, services and discounts vary by state. Our commitment to MTA members does not. Member discount is for Massachusetts residents only.

Winter has its mix of potential problems and liabilities that could expose you to unexpected financial and legal concerns.

Why members are fans of the MTA Auto and Home program.

The MTA Auto and Home Program offers exceptional savings and service. Below, MTA members discuss why they like the program.

"I've insured everything through MTA Benefits – my home, car, truck and three motorcycles – since I became an MTA member 10 years ago," said Sherrill Neilsen, president of the Needham Education Association. "This has added up to thousands of dollars in savings. Each fall in my presentation to new teachers, I stress the advantages of using MTA member benefits – from insurance to the Discount Directory, pointing out that members can save enough to pay for their dues."

Marcia Meyer-Krul, presidentof Winchendon Secretaries Association

"I was thrilled with the service from MTA Benefits," said Marcia Meyer-Krul, president of the Winchendon Secretaries Association. "They carefully checked my homeowners policy and changed the coverage to reflect the value of my home today. They also were very helpful with auto insurance. We were having problems with my son's previous insurance company and they arranged to have him insured through our policy, a stress-free solution."

Ron Suga,
MTA Uniserv consultant

Uniserv Consultant Ron Suga switched to MTA Benefits more than 20 years ago for his home and auto insurance. "I was advocating MTA insurance to local education associations yet I didn't have it myself," he said. "Insuring through MTAB has meant substantial savings for me. The service has also been exceptional. With my three kids driving cars, I have had some auto insurance claims over the years, but there has never been a problem with them. MTAB has been right there for me."

A wake-up call for renters insurance

When Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan furiously pummeled the Florida landscape in late summer, it was another reminder of how critical insurance is for homeowners. What many people are unaware of, however, is the need for renters insurance, according to Connie Dery, president of MTA Benefits.

“It’s one of those things people don’t think about until something happens,” said Dery. “Many renters assume they are protected by the landlord’s insurance and don’t need any of their own. But that insurance only covers the building – not the personal belongings of the tenant. Also, tenants are not covered for liability in the event someone is injured on their property.”

Most overlooked insurance
Bob Wills, MTAB manager of insurance and sales, noted that renters insurance is the most overlooked protection, yet costs only about $175 to $225 a year less the 10% discount offered to MTA members.

“When people get that first apartment, they don’t realize the value of their furniture and personal items,” said Wills. “When they assess what they have – which could include an entire wardrobe of clothing, a computer and other electronic equipment, furniture for all the rooms, an entertainment center and more – it quickly adds up. Typically today’s replacement cost for the items could be $20,000 or more.”

The HO-4 Renters Insurance policy covers 17 types of peril, such as fire or lightning, windstorm or hail, explosion, riot or civil commotion, water-related damage, vandalism or malicious mischief, theft and electrical surge damage. It also provides liability coverage if a visitor is hurt due to negligence, covering such items as lost wages and medical expenses – whether the incident occurs at home or on an outing. Schedules for highly valued items and other coverage can be added at a minimal expense.

“Renters insurance is peace of mind at a very affordable cost,” said Wills.

For more information on HO-4 Renters Insurance, contact MTA Benefits at 800.336.0990.