Property damage protection

• Family room
• Hall

• Family room
• Hall
• Basement

• Furnace
• Water heater
• Gas dryer
• Gas fireplace
• Gas stove
• Car
• BBQ
• Blocked vents or chimney

• Contact your insurance company right away. Fire claims are given a priority status because of the dramatic impact they can have.
• If possible, open windows to help ventilate your home.
• If you have wet carpets, furniture or other belongings, dry them out as soon as possible to keep mold and mildew from growing.
• Use foil or small wood blocks beneath furniture legs to keep stains from forming on wet carpet or rugs.
• Clear and protect chrome trim on kitchen appliances, bathroom faucets, tub fittings and towel bars with a light coating of petroleum jelly or other oil.
• Blow off or brush-vacuum loose smoke and soot particles from upholstery, drapery and carpet.
• Tape doubled pieces of cheesecloth over air registers with masking tape.
• Wash plants with water on both sides of leaves (water softener helps).
• Move pets (especially birds) to clean environments.
• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Take photos of the damaged areas and make a list of all damaged items.
• If your furnace is operational, replace the filter often (as much as once a day) so that trapped soot and other particles don’t continue to circulate in the air.
• If the electricity is off, empty your freezer and refrigerator completely. Also, call a plumber to drain the heating system, and pour antifreeze in toilet bowls and the drains of sinks and tubs to prevent freezing.

If you have fire and smoke damage, do not:

• Try to clean any damage yourself, as you could harm your home and belongings even more. It’s wise to hire a professional fire restoration company.
• Wipe or attempt to wash walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.
• Use do-it-yourself home carpet or upholstery cleaners.
• Sit or lie on upholstered furniture. If this can’t be avoided, cover with clean sheets before using.
• Consume exposed food items or canned goods that have been subjected to excessive heat.
• Send smoked garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke and odour.
• Use TVs, stereos, or electrical appliances until cleaned and checked.

• Front Door. Secure your front door with heavy-duty bolts, both at the top of the frame and at the floor.
• Garage Door. Reinforce your garage door at its weakest point with wood, metal stiffeners or a retrofit kit.
• Windows and Doors. Install impact-resistant windows and doors, and install storm shutters to all exposed glass surfaces.
• Roof and Siding. Inspect your roof annually, looking for missing, curled or damaged shingles. Report any updates to your insurance company, as manufacturing defects, as well as aged or poorly maintained roofs and siding are not covered in a home insurance policy.
• Contractors. When hiring a roofing contractor, make sure they’re properly licensed or bonded. Get a written proposal and warranty outlining any exclusions.
• Shrubbery. Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed, and remove branches or trees that could fall on your home or others.
• Patio. Secure or safely store patio furniture and outdoor tools. If a storm is looming, move your automobiles into the garage or under other cover.
• Inside. Put together an emergency kit of first aid items and supplies, and identify the safest area of your home for shelter.
• Power. Prepare for the likelihood of a power outage by installing a non-electric stove or heater, or emergency generator. Just be sure that adequate venting is in place and that these devices are operated according to manufacturer guidelines.

• Check your roof and make any necessary repairs to limit further damage to your home—such as boarding up broken windows or throwing a tarp over a leaky roof.
• Document the damage to your property and vehicles, and take pictures if possible.
• Inspect your attic for leaks or water damage. Also, if any stains appear on your ceiling or walls, you will likely need repairs.
• If a tree has fallen on your home, stay out until a professional can determine whether any structural damage has occurred.
• If a tree has fallen elsewhere on your property, hire a tree-removal service to haul it away. If a complete removal isn’t necessary, trimming branches may be enough–just be sure to call the power company if power lines have fallen.
• Following a snow storm, check for ice dams and frozen gutters. Ice dams prevent proper drainage in the gutters, which allows the ice to seep under the roof for more damage.
• Check your pipes, which can freeze during a winter storm. Find a plumber who can get the water flowing again to prevent pipes from bursting.
• If you have siding on your home, check it carefully, as it can blow off during a storm—this allows for leaks (which could lead to mold) or the possibility of pests.

If you have storm damage, do not:

• Go on the roof to check damage for yourself. Instead, contact a professional roofer.
• Enter your home if there is the possibility of structural damage. Wait for a professional to evaluate the extent of the storm damage.
• Delay when it comes to making temporary repairs. You may be liable for damage that occurs after the storm has passed, so act quickly.
• Attempt to move downed power lines yourself. Instead, contact the power company so they can take care of any live wires.
• Use candles at night if your power has gone out, as these can be a fire hazard. Use flashlights instead.

• If possible, anchor heavy items outside your home that could become flying debris in high winds.
• If possible, move vehicles into your garage or under cover.
• Keep exterior doors and windows closed and stay clear of them.
• Do not use electrical equipment, including appliances or a computer.
• Take shelter in the basement, cold cellar, storm shelter or other safe place, along with your pets.
• If you don’t have a basement, go to the most central room on the lowest level of your home and get under a sturdy piece of furniture.
• During a tornado, cover yourself with a heavy blanket to protect against flying debris.
• During a tornado, if you are in a mobile home and have enough time, get out and find shelter in a building, a neighbours’ house or, if necessary, a ditch or a ravine.
• If a tree has fallen on your home, stay away until a professional can determine whether any structural damage has occurred.

• Shovel snow away from your house so that when it melts it doesn’t leak into the foundation.
• Clear snow away from sewers so that melting snow has a place to go.
• Safely clear ice and snow out of clogged gutters and drains.
• Safely remove large accumulations of snow and ice from your roof and sheds to reduce pressure from the weight and to reduce chance of water damage when it melts.
• Check for ice dams and frozen gutters. Ice dams prevent proper drainage in the gutters which allows ice to seep under the roof.
• Maintain a normal temperature in your home to reduce the risk of freezing pipes.
• If you have any pipes that are particularly vulnerable to freezing, let a faucet drip to relieve the pressure that builds when water freezes.
• Wrap exposed pipes in foam or fiberglass sleeves to reduce the risk of freezing.
• If you have experienced a water pipe burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve, and leave your faucets open until repairs are complete.
• If a tree has fallen on your home, stay away until a professional can determine whether any structural damage has occurred.
• If you are going to be away from home, have someone responsible check inside and outside your home on a regular basis.

• If possible, anchor heavy items outside your home that could become flying debris.
• Do not use electrical equipment, including appliances or a computer.
• A corded phone is not safe to use during a storm. If necessary, use a cellular or cordless phone.
• If a tree has fallen on your home, stay away until a professional can determine whether any structural damage has occurred.
• If you can, move automobiles into the garage or under cover.
• Keep exterior doors and windows closed and stay clear of windows, glass doors and fireplaces.
• Check your basement regularly for any water entry.
• If you are going to be away from your home, ensure someone responsible is checking inside and outside your home on a regular basis.

• Develop an emergency plan. Practice what to do during an earthquake and know the safe and dangerous places in your home for taking cover.
• Plan out your evacuation route and ensure every family member knows it.
• Make any necessary repairs to your home, especially your chimney and roof tiles if they are showing any signs of weakness.
• Tie down any appliances that could break gas or water lines if they fall over, such as your water heater.
• Make sure shelving units are secured to avoid tipping.
• Move any flammable items away from heat and secure them so that they won’t spill.
• Put together an emergency supply kit and secure it in a safe, easily accessible place–it’s a good idea to find a spot that can be accessed from outside.
• If you live in an earthquake prone area such as Quebec or British Columbia, consider adding the Earthquake endorsement to your insurance policy.

• Wear protective clothing such as gloves and sturdy footwear as you explore the damage to your home.
• Hire a professional to evaluate whether there is any structural damage to your home before you go inside.
• Check your utilities. Turn off the gas if there is a leak–gas will smell if it is leaking.
• Watch for downed wires or other hazards. Stay alert at all times.
• Make sure your home is secured against possible intruders. Ensure your doors, windows and locks are not damaged–if they are, take necessary steps to keep your home safe (i.e. plywood over broken windows or doors).

If you have earthquake damage, do not:

• Enter your home before a professional says it is safe to do so.
• Light matches or turn on the lights until you’re sure there are no gas leaks or other flammable liquids present.
• Turn off the gas unless you have confirmed there is a leak.
• Flush toilets, as sewer lines may have been damaged.
• Use your telephone, unless it’s a life-threatening emergency.
• Go near downed power lines–stay at least 10 metres away.

• Have an emergency preparedness kit ready with enough supplies for you and your family to last 72+ hours.
• Develop an emergency evacuation plan and review it regularly with your family.
• Keep your mobile phone charged at all times.
• Keep your gutters clear of debris and leaves at all times.
• Ensure outdoor water spouts are operational and make repairs if necessary.
• Keep woodpiles, tree branches, leaves and other flammable materials away from your home.
• Have a battery-operated radio handy and keep a supply of charged batteries.
• Consider replacing your roof with fire resistant roofing materials such as clay tile, metal or asphalt shingles.
• If replacing your windows, consider installing double pane, thermal pane or tempered glass windows versus single pane glass windows.
• Ensure your chimney is inspected regularly and meets your specific provincial building code requirements.

• Close all windows and doors to prevent embers from entering your home.
• Close all interior doors–this can help slow the spread of fire inside your home.
• Fill bathtubs and sinks with water.
• Turn off propane or natural gas valves.
• Plug all downspouts and fill the gutters with water.
• If you have an outdoor hot tub or pool, make them as accessible as possible to firefighters.
• Fill garbage cans and buckets with water and leave them in easy view outside your home.
• If safe to do so, hose your house down with water.
• Make sure your vehicle is filled with gas and parked in the garage or a cleared area facing towards the road. Pack valuables and your emergency kit inside. Keep the windows up and the keys in the ignition.

• Leave a note inside indicating when you left and where you are going.
• Gather your family and pets and leave immediately.
• Lock your home.
• Drive away from the fire–never towards it.
• Do not return to your property until advised by authorities.
• Communicate using non-voice channels like text messaging, email or social media.
• Conserve your mobile device battery by reducing the screen’s brightness, putting your phone in airplane mode and closing apps you are not using.

If you have fire and smoke damage:

• Contact your insurance company right away. Fire claims are typically given a priority status.
• If possible, open windows to help ventilate your home.
• If you have wet carpets, furniture or other belongings, dry them out as soon as possible to keep mold and mildew from growing.
• Use foil or small wood blocks beneath furniture legs to keep stains from forming on wet carpet or rugs.
• Clear and protect chrome trim on kitchen appliances, bathroom faucets, tub fittings and towel bars with a light coating of petroleum jelly or other oil.
• Blow off or brush-vacuum loose smoke and soot particles from upholstery, drapery and carpet.
• Tape doubled pieces of cheesecloth over air registers with masking tape.
• Wash plants with water on both sides of leaves (water softener helps).
• Move pets (especially birds) to clean environments.
• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Take photos of the damaged areas and make a list of all damaged items.
• If your furnace is operational, replace the filter often (as much as once a day) so that trapped soot and other particles don’t continue to circulate in the air.

If you have fire and smoke damage, do not:

• Try to clean any damage yourself, as you could harm your home and belongings even more. It’s wise to hire a professional fire restoration company.
• Wipe or attempt to wash walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.
• Use do-it-yourself home carpet or upholstery cleaners.
• Sit or lie on upholstered furniture. If this can’t be avoided, cover with clean sheets before using.
• Consume exposed food items or canned goods that have been subjected to excessive heat.
• Send smoked garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke and odour.
• Use TVs, stereos, or electrical appliances until cleaned and checked.
• If the electricity is off, empty your freezer and refrigerator completely.

• Check to see whether the power outage is limited to your home. If the power is still on in nearby homes, check your circuit breaker, fuse box and service wires.
• Notify your electric supply provider if power appears to be out within your area.
• Turn off all tools, appliances and electronic equipment, and turn down your thermostat to prevent damage from a power surge when your power comes back on.
• Turn off all the lights, except one inside and one outside, so that you will know when power is restored.
• Use a back-up generator according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Only use it outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
• Give your electrical system a chance to stabilize following a power outage, before reconnecting tools and appliances.
• Check the food in your refrigerator and freezer for spoilage.

If your home loses power, do not:

• Use charcoal or gas barbecues or home generators indoors, as they release carbon monoxide.
• Leave lit candles unattended.
• Use flooded appliances or electrical outlets after power is restored, unless they have been checked by a qualified electrician.
• Open your refrigerator or freezer unless it is absolutely necessary. If a freezer door has been kept closed, food should stay frozen 24-36 hours.
• Consume food that has been in a refrigerator or freezer without power for more than 24-36 hours. When in doubt, throw it out!