We all know that heat waves can cause a number of issues for your belongings and home. Here we list out a few of the most typical issues that homeowners deal with during extremely hot weather.

Subsidence

Soil dries out in hot weather with little to no rainfall. This is especially true for soils that are high in clay. Should this happen, your home’s foundation may move and subside as a result. Large trees that are close to your property may make this issue worse since they will take water from the ground and frequently spread their roots to locate new sources of water.

Garden fires

Your garden and surrounding areas become more susceptible to fire when the grass and vegetation are dry. This is especially problematic when a lot of people are outside having barbecues. Trees, fences, sheds, decks, garages, and even your house will all be destroyed by a fire if it spreads.

Broken roofs

The structure of your roof may twist and crack when intense heat is bearing down on it and moisture rises from within your house.

Storm-related damage

Thunderstorms and heavy rain can punctuate heatwaves. When the ground is extremely dry and cannot effectively absorb rainwater, this becomes a serious issue. This may result in flash floods, which might harm cars and seep into your house.

Being too hot

During heat waves, some houses are vulnerable to overheating, especially smaller apartments in urban areas. Overheating can be harmful, particularly to the elderly, the very young, and individuals with certain medical conditions.

Crime

In the summer, people frequently leave their windows and doors open. There is frequently an increase in burglaries as the weather warms. The fact that homeowners leave their windows and doors open while they’re away simplifies a lot of issues.

Issues pertaining to electronics

When using electrical and electronic devices in extremely hot weather, exercise caution. Screens and batteries can be harmed by leaving gadgets like tablets and smartphones in the sun. Additionally, fridge freezers must work harder to maintain food’s temperature and are susceptible to overheating if their doors are left open.

How to get ready for a heat wave at home

It is a good idea to prepare your home, as heatwaves are becoming more frequent. Here are some of our top recommendations:

Invest in better insulation

In addition to keeping heat from escaping during the cold weather, well-insulated attics and roof spaces can help keep your house from overheating during hot weather.

Maintain the air conditioning system

If you’re fortunate enough to have air conditioning, make sure it is serviced on a regular basis and change or clean the air filters in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Maintain fans

Make sure your fixed or portable fans are clean and operating properly. If you need more fans, get them before the temperature rises. During heatwaves, demand for fans rises, and supplies may become limited.

Make the garden shaded

If you want to create shade pools in your garden and possibly block the sun from your windows in the summer, plant shrubs or trees.

Form a cool zone

Get a portable air conditioner and use it to form a cool zone in your house if you don’t have air conditioning throughout. Choose a room that prevents direct sunlight during the hottest times of the day, preferably one on a lower floor.

Seal doors and windows

Inadequately fitting windows and doors allow heat to escape during colder months and to enter during higher ones. Verify that yours are correctly sealed and fitted, and get them fixed if required.

Put in heat-blocking window films

These are particularly useful if you have a conservatory that becomes hot during heat waves as they can reflect heat from the sun.

It’s better to be informed if hot weather is expected, in addition to getting your house ready for a heatwave. Having home insurance UAE will never disappoint you. Feeling secure when facing such issues and maintaining a healthy bank balance are major benefits of choosing the best home insurance Dubai and the UAE.

You can approach the popular insurance providers, ask for the best deals, and finalize one of them that matches your unique needs. It’s a good idea to include a list of emergency contact numbers, including those of your doctors and veterinarians, along with your insurance documents.

How to keep your house safe in a heat wave

You must take action to protect your health, property, and valuables after a heatwave happens. These might consist of:

Shut the blinds and curtains. Keeping your home cooler can be done by blocking off direct sunlight. Close doors and windows during the day. Cool air enters and hot air exits with this. When the temperature drops at night or in the early morning, you can open them to let in colder air. When you leave your house, always make sure to lock your windows and doors.

Turn off any appliances that are not needed. Switch off any unneeded heat-producing electrical devices, such as laptops, PCs, and chargers. It’s possible that your ceiling fan allows you to turn it counter clockwise. Rather than forcing warm air down into your room, this produces a breeze.

Don’t use the hob or oven. Eat cold food instead of using your cooker to warm your house even more. Make sure not to set dry grass or other plants on fire if you decide to cook outside. Keep water and/or a fire extinguisher handy when using a barbecue in case you need to put out a fire.

Apply ice. You may cool your home by placing an ice basin or bottle in front of a portable fan. Remove devices from direct heat. This will reduce the possibility of harm. Take mirrors out of the direct sun. If placed in direct sunlight, these might intensify heat and perhaps start fires.

Check on the pets. Ensure that dogs are kept out of severe weather and given access to lots of water and shade.

Common home insurance claims during hot weather

Increased temperatures cause a range of home insurance UAE claims each year. The most frequent ones include storm damage, theft, roof damage, fires, and subsidence. The sooner you notify your insurance broker or the provider if you see any signs of subsidence, the less expensive it will be to correct; the longer the subsidence persists, the more expensive it will be.

Typically, if you are a landlord, you would file a claim through your building insurance. Verifying that you have protection against harmful damage is also important. Summertime is a time when antisocial behavior and vandalism are more common; therefore, it’s crucial to protect your property. CRI is ready to provide the best deals on home insurance Dubai and the UAE. We ensure super-simple claims, dedicated customer support, and easy processing. Please feel free to talk to us.

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