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                                                                                                       Barbecue Season Is In Full Swing: Don’t Go Up In Flames


The joys of outdoor cooking also bring fire and associated risks. Here are some safety reminders for gas and propane barbecues to protect you and your property from harm or damage.
•    Never operate a barbecue in an enclosed space, close to a structure, or near combustibles. Have a one metre radius around it free of obstructions. 
•    Keep your barbecue in tip top shape. Check for hose breakage, valve leaks, and other parts before securing the tank well and turning on the gas. 
•    When in use, never leave the grill unattended, and when finished turn the tank off before the burners so the remaining gas in the lines can burn off. This can help prevent a flash the next time the BBQ is in use.
•    Make sure your fire extinguisher is easily accessible and in good working order. 
Additional Tips
•    Propane companies use an additive to create an unpleasant odour like rotten eggs to make a propane leak easier to detect, so you can shut off supply immediately, stop using the grill, and clear the area.
•    Although the risk of carbon monoxide is low when using a BBQ outdoors, it is not entirely eliminated. Learn to recognize the signs of CO2 poisoning and take appropriate action.
•    Store propane tanks in an upright position, in a spot where they are unlikely to be knocked or bumped to prevent any safety risk.
 

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Flooding: The Most Expensive Source of Insurance Claims

                                                                         Flooding: The Most Expensive Source of Insurance Claims

 

Flooding now surpasses fire damage claims. The average claim cost is $43,000, resulting in $1.7 annually in Canada. Flooding which originates within a dwelling is often caused by the rupture of a pipe or appliance such as a dishwasher or hot water tank. This is usually part of the basic policy. Another type, sewer back up, is more common in areas where the sanitary and storm sewers share one pipe. Sump pump failure/malfunction is also part of this coverage. Limited sewer backup may be included in your policy, but higher limits of coverage must be purchased.

Overland flooding occurs when surface water comes in through foundations, walls, closed windows and doors. Such flooding is currently being experienced in certain regions of New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario, due to rivers in those areas bursting their banks.  At least 20% of the population is susceptible to overland flooding. That number increases as more extreme weather events become more frequent. Not all insurers provide coverage. It began to be offered after the catastrophic Calgary flood of 2013, which resulted in $4 billion in insured losses.

Overland water coverage, if available,  must be added by endorsement to your policy.