A few years ago, property damage costs homeowners $51.5 billion. It was the highest recorded in a decade. Since then, homeowners have taken drastic measures to avoid damage caused by bad weather, fires, and burglary. Below is a discussion of the top three causes of property damage and how you can avoid becoming a statistic.
1. Bad weather
The nation is no stranger to bad weather. For decades, the US has witnessed a myriad of them, ranging from hurricanes to snow storms. Everything bad weather you can think of, the US has experienced. This is why many homeowners build or buy houses with a special focus on withstanding extreme weather. For example, garage doors, roofing, and walls are built in modern homes to resist such damage. Additionally, with the introduction of hurricane windows, homeowners can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that their homes have some form of protection.
According to the americanprogress.org website, since 1980, the US has incurred an annual cost of $6.4 billion in weather-induced property damage. With this in mind, it is important to acknowledge the reality on the ground. More importantly, it is crucial to set measures in place to keep your property standing after bad weather.
2. Home fires
In only three years, home fires cost a total of $7.3 billion in damage to residences. In 2020 alone, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recorded over 365,000 home fires. Indeed, the numbers are alarming and make you wonder what could be the probable cause. According to the NFPA, electrical faults are one of the top causes of the country’s home fires. This is closely followed by smoking, heat appliances, gas, and lightning.
Another discovery was that some homeowners failed to regularly check their smoke detectors. Surveys indicated that most smoke detectors installed in burned homes failed to trigger a timely alarm. The notification could have caused people to act quickly and avoid losing their homes to fires. As a preventive measure, you may want to check your smoke detectors regularly. Remember to change batteries as often as the manufacturer recommends. Furthermore, it is advisable to ensure that a licensed electrician regularly checks your home’s electrical system. You may also want to avoid DIY electrical projects as they account for several home fires in the country.
3. Home burglary
A 2020 FBI report indicated that every 22.6 seconds, a burglary occurs in at least three homes. A further breakdown also revealed that homeowners end up with $3.4 billion in damages. Broken glass doors, windows, and fences are examples of the damage caused to affected homes.
However, the report revealed that most of these homes had no home security installation. Those that did adopt poor security measures never protected their property. To avoid falling victim, improving your home’s security detail is necessary. If you have a habit of keeping your home’s key under a potted plant, you may want to stop that. Burglars can spot vulnerable homes and make them targets. Consider investing in motion sensor lights to act as deterrents. Do not forget to keep your shrubbery well-trimmed at all times.