| As severe weather continues to take its toll, | | | | - Tip five: Keep up with home maintenance - Clear out |
| homeowners must take every step possible to protect | | | | gutters and drains regularly and cut back low hanging |
| their properties including reviewing their home insurance | | | | branches that could cause problems in high winds. |
| policies. Here are our top 10 tips. | | | | - Tip six: Invest in flood defences - Stock up on |
| - Tip one: Review your home insurance - Make sure | | | | sandbags which you can place outside doors and |
| the policy is up to date and includes contents recently | | | | windows to limit the water that enters your property. |
| brought into the home. | | | | Ask your insurer if it can recommend any flood |
| - Tip two: Move valuables upstairs - If there is a risk of | | | | protection devices that might earn you a discount. |
| flooding, move as much as you can upstairs, especially | | | | - Tip seven: Prepare an emergency kit - Have a kit to |
| items with high values and sentimental items that could | | | | hand with items such as torches, tinned food and |
| not be replaced. | | | | warm clothing. |
| - Tip three: Disconnect electrical items - If floods are | | | | - Tip eight: Take photographs - To ensure that the |
| expected you should make sure that all electrical items | | | | claims process runs smoothly take photos or video |
| are unplugged from their sockets and stored as high | | | | footage of your home that will show that all of the |
| as possible. Also consider turning off the mains | | | | contents you claimed were present really existed. |
| supplies of water, gas and electricity. Disconnect pipes | | | | - Tip nine: Store insurance documents safely - Make |
| to washing machines, dishwashers and ovens too. | | | | sure you have your insurance documents including |
| - Tip four: Secure objects - Make sure any garden | | | | your home insurance provider's contact details to hand |
| furniture you keep outside is weighed down or stored | | | | in case the worst happens. |
| away in case a storm is approaching. | | | | |