Spring Cleaning, Safety Practices Urged By TDCI

With spring in bloom, many Tennesseans are undertaking traditional spring cleaning and yard work around their homes.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance reminds the public "to take simple, preventative steps in order to create a safer home. Homeowners should use the season as a chance to review and update their insurance policies in the event of severe weather," according to an agency news release

"By taking easy steps, Tennesseans can prevent an insurance claim later. Spring is also the perfect time to review your family's insurance policies to make sure you have the proper coverage to help you recover in the event of an emergency or if severe weather strikes," TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence said in the news release.

Consumers who have questions about their insurance policies should contact TDCI's Consumer Insurance Services team at 1-800-342-4029.

This spring, TDCI encourages Tennesseans to take measures to help prevent damage inside and outside their homes and avoid potential injuries:

SPRING CLEANING TIPS

Get rid of clutter. Large items block exits and prevent people from escaping a home in the event of an emergency. Trim tree branches. Cut tree branches to prevent potential roof damage from wind and other stormy weather. Maintain landscaping. Dry grass and shrubs are easily ignited by fires. Clean the gutters. Leaves and other debris can land in the gutters during the winter, which may cause clogging. Clogged downspouts prevent rain from flowing, which could cause damage to the interior of a home. Change smoke alarm batteries. Check and change the batteries in home smoke alarms to make sure they are working properly. Need working smoke alarms? Contact your local fire department and ask if they participate in the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office "Get Alarmed, Tennessee!" smoke alarm program. For more information about the program, visit www.tn.gov/commerce/fire/prevention-education-and-outreach/get-alarmed-tn.html .Clean the dryer vent hose. Make sure the exhaust hose on a dryer leading to the outside is clear. Be sure to remove lint from dryer filters after each use in order to prevent fires. Stabilize outdoor stair railings. Make sure the railings are secure and safe to use.

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

Spring can frequently bring high winds, heavy rains, and tornadoes. TDCI reminds consumers to be prepared before an emergency occurs.

Create a home inventory of all belongings in the event an emergency strikes. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has a free app available at the App Store and Google Play that allows consumers to make a secure record of their home contents in the event they ever need to file an insurance claim after an emergency. Consumers can also take a video of the inside of their homes with a smartphone to use in the event of a disaster. Review insurance policies. Whether a consumer has a homeowners, renters, flood, or health policy, make sure that adequate coverage is in place should a disaster strike. It is important to note that traditional homeowners policies do not cover floods. Consider flood insurance. The majority of Tennessee homeowners have not purchased flood insurance and are therefore not covered in the event of a flood. Flood insurance can only be purchased through an insurance agent or an insurer participating in the National Flood Insurance Program. To learn more about flood insurance or locate a provider, contact the NFIP Referral Call Center at 1-800-427-4661. Be prepared by creating an emergency kit. Make sure the kit includes bottled water, a first-aid kit, flashlights, a battery-powered radio, non-perishable food items, blankets, clothing, prescription medications, eyeglasses, personal hygiene supplies, and a small amount of cash. Prepare an evacuation plan. When creating a plan, choose two meeting places: one right outside the family home in case of a sudden emergency such as a fire, and one outside the neighborhood in case individuals are unable to return home.